(BOSTON – 07/26/2022) On Tuesday, the Massachusetts State House of Representatives joined the Senate in passing S.2993, An Act further regulating the enforcement of illegal hunting practices. This bipartisan legislation will increase fines and criminal penalties levied on offenders who exploit wildlife in Massachusetts, and join the Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact, a nationwide cooperative agreement to share information related to violators of anti-poaching laws and hold poachers accountable regardless of where they committed their offense.
“It has been nearly a century since many of the Commonwealth’s anti-poaching laws were last updated. The absence of action on anti-poaching laws has resulted in outdated penalties that result in no more than a slap on the wrist for offenders,” Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury) said. “This legislation finally brings our laws, fines, and penalties into line with other states. It also brings Massachusetts into the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, a nationwide law enforcement network that allows our wildlife protection agencies to share information about poachers with other states. With the passage of this legislation, Massachusetts is making it clear that we will no longer be a safe haven for those who wish to do harm to our wildlife, marine life, and ecosystems.”
“We are grateful that the Senate took this great step forward to stop the illegal killing of wildlife in Massachusetts,” said Melissa Ekvall, Senior Advocacy Outreach and Research Director of the MSPCA. “Soon, we will no longer be a ‘poacher’s paradise’ — the only state that is not a member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact — hamstringing our law enforcement officers’ abilities to crack down on poachers. Joining this Compact, along with modernizing outdated poaching penalties, will bring the Commonwealth into the 21st century when it comes to protecting our wildlife.”
“Poaching is a serious problem nationwide and here in Massachusetts, threatening our wildlife and ecosystems” said Stephanie Harris, Senior Legislative Affairs Manager for the Animal Legal Defense Fund. “We are grateful to Senator Mike Moore for his leadership and to the Senate for passing legislation to end Massachusetts’ status as a safe-haven for convicted poachers who have had their hunting, trapping, or fishing licenses suspended or revoked in any of the 49 states that are already members of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.”
“By joining the powerful Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact and strengthening outdated penalties for poaching our wildlife including black bears, red tailed hawks, and deer, Massachusetts will add critical resources to combat illegal and cruel hunting, trapping, and fishing in the Commonwealth and beyond,” said Laura Hagen, Massachusetts State Director for the Humane Society of the United States. “Our residents take wildlife crimes seriously, and we are grateful to the Massachusetts Senate for passing a bill that will sign us onto this this nationwide enforcement tool and protect the Commonwealth’s wild animals.”
Having been passed in the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives, the bill now goes to Governor Charlie Baker’s desk for his signature.
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