aeromarine
NES Member
From what I can find state forests are owned by the Commonwealth and managed by DCR, and in almost every instance I could find these properties are open to hunting. The one exception I'm aware of is at Harold Parker where some of the land is closed to hunting, I think that part in the Town of Andover. The reason I ask about Billerica is that the town website clearly indicates that hunting is not allowed in the State Forest within its town borders. They treat it the same way they do their other park land which comes under the regulations of the town's Conservation Commission. I'm just curious about how the town can claim jurisdiction over state property since I would have thought the Doctrine of Preemption would prevail. Does anyone know about the details underlying this situation? Did DCR give them a carve out? Has anyone ever challenged lthe town's position? If you have any information about this, please let me know.
Last edited: