Speak up for wildlife at February Wildlife Commission Meetings.
February Wildlife Commission Meetings
February is where early-year wildlife decisions start to harden into policy. This month, the stakes couldn’t be more clear.
Across the country, 28 states are holding wildlife commission meetings, with major decisions on the table that will shape wildlife policy for the rest of the year. In California, commissioners are weighing actions that could determine the future of mountain lions. In Oregon, decisions affecting whales and marine protections are moving forward. In Florida, a process to gloss over trapping cruelty is ending but you can still try to shift policy with your comments. What happens in these rooms will ripple far beyond a single meeting.
These commission meetings rarely make headlines. But they are where wildlife governance actually happens. Where science is either respected or sidelined. Where public input is either meaningfully considered or brushed aside. And where decisions with real, lasting consequences for wildlife are often made with limited public visibility.
Participation matters, especially now. Showing up, submitting a public comment, or even listening in helps push back against closed-door decision-making and reminds agencies that wildlife belongs to the public, not a narrow set of interests.
February is a chance to intervene before the year’s biggest wildlife decisions are locked in. Below, you’ll find a list of February wildlife commission meetings by state and date. Visit our Resources Page and Advocacy Toolkit to prepare your comments or testimony—and help ensure science, ethics, democracy, and ecosystem health guide wildlife policy in 2026.
Florida
Meeting Date: February 4-5
Location: Florida State University, Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, 505 W. Pensacola St, Tallahassee, FL 32301
Details: Click here for agenda and meeting details
Notes: Meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. each day. Public comments will be accepted in person during the meeting. For in-person comments, please review the speaker registration guidelines at https://myfwc.com/about/commission/. Advance comments are due by 5 p.m. the Friday before the meeting. If you would like to provide comments via mail, please send those comments to: FWC Commissioners, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399. If you do not wish or are unable to speak at the meeting but would like to provide comments, you may do so using the online comment form or by contacting the Commissioners directly via email at commissioners@myfwc.com.
Action: Speak out on the proposed rule, “Regulated Trapping of Wildlife in Florida.” This change is not sufficient to protect wildlife from harm as the AWFA BMPs are not a suitable standard for humane actions. Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than one hour. (This item may be moved to day one or postponed). See agenda for links.
Missouri
Meeting Date: February 4
Location: MDC Headquarters, 2901 W Truman Blvd., Jefferson City, MO 65102
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: Meeting starts at 10 a.m. for the public, 9 a.m. is a Closed Executive Session. Any person who would like to comment to the Commission about a specific agenda item must make a written request to the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting. The time allotted for public comment and the number of speakers will be at the Commission’s discretion. Background documents related to open meeting agenda items are available for public viewing at Conservation Department Headquarters, Jefferson City, for eight calendar days prior to the meeting. Any person who would like to comment to the Commission about a specific agenda item must make a written request to the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting. Recording the open meeting is permissible, pursuant to any guidelines established by the Commission to minimize disruption to the meeting. Individuals wishing to record the open meeting by audiotape, videotape, or other electronic means should notify the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting so accommodations for such recording can be made. To view livestream of the open meeting, or to watch recordings of past meetings, go to http://on.mo.gov/2nodPJU
Ohio
Meeting Date: February 4; this is the rescheduled January 28 meeting
Location: Wildlife District 1 Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus, OH
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: Meeting begins at 6 p.m. Comments for open forums during Ohio Wildlife Council meetings must be about a current rule proposal. If you have a topic that is not a current rule proposal, please email the council with your comment or question or speak to a council member before or after a meeting. If the topic falls within the wildlife, fish, or law section, feel free to reach out at our open houses or email the Division of Wildlife at wildinfo@dnr.ohio.gov. Speakers must register by 5 p.m. the Monday before the meeting via the Public Comment Form, which must be submitted to wildlife.council@dnr.ohio.gov. Along with the form, submit any handouts you plan to provide. Speakers are limited to 3 minutes. There will be a maximum of ten speaker slots available. PowerPoint presentations are not permitted.
Idaho Special Meeting
Meeting Date: February 5
Location: Idaho Department of Fish and Game Headquarters, Owyhee Room, 600 South Walnut Boise, Idaho
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: 9:00 a.m. MT start. The agenda suggests virtual participation may be possible but provides no links as of 2/2.
Louisiana
Meeting Date: February 5
Location: LDWF Headquarters, Joe L. Herring Room, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Details: Click here for meeting details
Notes: Meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. A live audio/video stream of this meeting will be available via Zoom. To view via webinar, register here.
Arizona
Meeting Date: February 6
Location: Maricopa Library and Cultural Center, 18160 N Maya Angelou Dr., Maricopa, Arizona 85138
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: Meeting location opens at 7:45 a.m. Meeting begins at 8:00 a.m. Lunch Break at 12:00 p.m. Members of the public may view the meeting from any Department Regional Office. Members of the public attending in person wanting to speak on a specific agenda item may submit Speaker Cards (Blue Cards) if they wish to speak to the Commission and may only address the Commission by attending in person or from any regional office. Copies of any presentations, documents, etc. discussed during the meeting will be available by contacting sprice@azgfd.gov. No discussion or action will be taken by the Commission on topics raised in public comment. Any items requiring further discussion or action will be included on a future Commission meeting agenda. View live webcasts at www.azgfd.gov/commissioncam. Listen to the meeting by calling 404-397-1516, Access code: 280 046 234##.
Oklahoma
Meeting Date: February 9
Location: Location TBD
Details: Click here for agenda and details (no agenda posted as of 2/2)
Notes: Meeting starts at 9 a.m. It’s not clear how to comment or speak; we suggest emailing the department to ask. It’s also unclear if there is a virtual participation option. Read more on their website.
New Jersey
Meeting Date: February 10
Location: Assunpink Wildlife Management Area – Central Region Office, Large Conference Room,1 Eldridge Rd., Robbinsville Twp, NJ 08691
Details: Click here for details and agenda
Notes: The public is welcome to attend and participate in the public portion of each meeting. Meeting starts at 10 a.m. and will be held both in person and via GoToMeeting (audio only). Call in: +1 (312) 757-3121 | Access Code: 848-342-077. Per the website, public comments may be made in person or online and will be limited to 3 minutes per person. More information about the Commission is on its website, including a meeting guide and how to connect. For help, contact Kristen.Meistrell@dep.nj.gov.
California
Meeting Date: February 11-12
Location: California Natural Resources Headquarters Building, 715 P Street, Second Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
Details: Click here for agenda and details (note that the agenda is blank as of 2/2 and states it will be updated)
Notes: Meeting starts at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11 and 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12.
Action: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced in December they have determined that protections are warranted for six genetic populations, ranging from the Bay Area and Central Coast to Southern California. A final decision from the California Fish and Game Commission on the agency’s status review is expected at the February meeting. These iconic cats face growing threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, vehicle collisions, and toxic rodenticides. Without strong protections, their populations risk further decline—and the ecological communities they sustain could suffer as well. Wildlife for All calls for strong, science-informed action that prioritizes ecosystem health, connectivity, and the long-term survival of these predators. Mountain lions are more than charismatic wildlife—they are keystone species, critical for balanced ecosystems and healthy prey populations. Advocate for the Fish and Game Commission to finalize permanent protections for California’s mountain lions and ensure safe, connected habitats for these wild neighbors. Comment at the meeting or email them at: fgc@fgc.ca.gov
Massachusetts
Meeting Date: February 11
Location: MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, Massachusetts
Details: Click here for agenda and details.
Notes: Meeting starts at 1 p.m. Attendees can go in person or join via Zoom. After registering, you will automatically receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Anyone wishing to be placed on the agenda to speak at the monthly business meeting must begin by notifying the Board in writing 2 weeks prior to the Board meeting; for more detailed information, contact Susan Sacco.
Michigan
Meeting Date: February 11
Location: Lansing Community College, West Campus Rooms M119-121, 5708 Cornerstone Drive, Lansing, MI 48917
Details: Click here for agenda (no agenda as of 2/2) and details.
Notes: 9:30 a.m. Persons registering to provide comments on a topic listed on the agenda on or before the Friday preceding the meeting will be allowed up to 5 minutes for their comments. Persons registering to comment on a topic not listed on the agenda, after the Friday preceding the meeting, or at the meeting will be allowed up to 3 minutes. If you are unable to attend the meeting but wish to submit written comments on agenda items, please write to Natural Resources Commission, P.O. Box 30028, Lansing, Michigan 48909, or email nrc@michigan.gov. Read more on the Commission website.
Iowa
Meeting Date: February 12
Location: Des Moines
Details: Click here for details and agenda (no agenda as of 2/2).
Notes: The meeting starts at 10 a.m. Comments regarding agenda items may be submitted for public record to Alicia.Plathe@dnr.iowa.gov or 6200 Park Ave Ste 200, Des Moines IA 50321 up to 24 hours prior to the business meeting.
Montana
Meeting Date: February 12
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Details: Click here for agenda and details.
Notes: 8 a.m. *NEW START TIME* This regular meeting of the Fish and Wildlife Commission is scheduled to be held virtually via Zoom. The Commission will take public comment on agenda items for registered commenters via Zoom. If you wish to make a comment via Zoom, registration will open on the Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ website https://fwp.mt.gov/ on January 28 and close at noon on February 11.
Washington
Meeting Date: February 12-14
Location: Hybrid: Zoom and Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501.
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: The agenda has many, many links to register for Zoom participant on the different days and how to comment on agenda items; you must look at this webpage to fully participate. Registration for those wishing to provide virtual comments closes at 5 p.m. the day before the meeting begins. Registrants will be called upon and typically have 3 minutes to speak. If you are unable to participate, you can submit your comments on the Commission contact page. If you haven’t pre-registered and wish to attend and speak in person, complete a Public Testimony Form, available at the registration table. The form must be submitted at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the agenda item you wish to testify on. Watch on Zoom. Watch livestream.
Hawai’i
Meeting Date: February 13
Location: 1151 Punchbowl St. Room 132 (Kalanimoku Building), Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Details: Meeting agenda and details here. (Note no agenda available as of 2/2)
Notes: Meeting starts at 9.a.m. Attend in person and arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting start time in order to add your name to the sign-in sheet. To speak virtually, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov. Include your name and the agenda item on which you would like to testify. Once your request has been received, you will receive an email with the Zoom link. Requests may be also made during the meeting. Meetings will be livestreamed at: https://youtube.com/c/boardoflandandnaturalresourcesdlnr. To submit a comment, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting to ensure time for BLNR Member review.
New Hampshire
Meeting Date: February 17
Location: Fish and Game Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, NH
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes:Commission meetings are regularly scheduled at 1 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at Fish and Game Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, NH. Meetings of the NH Fish and Game Commission are open to the public, unless otherwise noted.
Public Meetings: February 4: a Public Engagement & Education Committee meeting at 10:30 a.m. at the NH Fish & Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301, in the Director’s conference room. This meeting is not open to the public, as personal information is involved. February 17: Legislative Committee Meeting held at 11:00 a.m. at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center, 387 Perch Pond Rd., Holderness, NH 03245. The public is entitled to attend.
Arkansas
Meeting Date: February 18-19
Location: Little Rock
Details: Click here for agenda and details (no agenda posted as of 2/2)
Notes: Unclear how to speak at meetings or provide virtual testimony or written comments. Watch the meeting on YouTube.
North Carolina
Meeting Date: February 18
Location: Commission Room, 5th Floor, 1751 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC
Details: Click here for agenda and details (note no agenda available as of 2/2).
Notes: The board will meet at 9 a.m. Members of the public may join via Zoom by registering in advance; keep checking the meeting page for this link.
Vermont
Meeting Date: February 18
Location: National Life Dewey Conference Room, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT 05620
Details: Click here for agenda and details (note no agenda posted as of 2/2)
Notes: Meeting starts at 5 p.m. Unclear how to comment or speak either virtually or in person. Full meeting schedule for 2026 is here.
West Virginia
Meeting Date: February 19
Location: WVU Potomac State College – Davis Conference Center,101 Fort Avenue, Keyser, WV 26726
Details: Click here for agenda and details (no agenda as of 2/2)
Notes: Meeting starts at 6 p.m. Send comments to wvnrcommission@wv.gov. To send written comments, contact: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Director’s Office, 324th Avenue, South Charleston, WV 25303. The meeting will be livestreamed on the West Virginia Department of Commerce’s YouTube channel and will be available starting the day of the meeting. The livestream is view-only. To provide public comments, you must attend in person at one of the six district locations listed above. If you can’t watch the meeting live, a recording will be posted and remain available until the next scheduled Commission meeting, so you can watch it at your convenience.
In-Person Locations
District 1 – 1110 Railroad St, Farmington, WV 26571
District 2 – 1 Depot St, Romney, WV 26757
District 3 – 738 Ward Rd, Elkins, WV 26241
District 4 – 2006 Robert C. Byrd Dr, Beckley, WV 25801
District 5 – 112 California Ave, Charleston, WV 25305
District 6 – 76 Conservation Way, Parkersburg, WV 26104
⚠️ Important Note About Public Comments: The livestream is view-only. To provide public comments, you must attend in person at one of the six district locations listed above.
New Mexico
Meeting Date: February 20
Location: Department of Game and Fish Roswell Office, 1615 W. College Blvd, Roswell, New Mexico
Details: Click here for details and agenda
Notes: Meeting starts at 9 a.m. Comment in person by signing up to speak via a card. Register in advance to attend this meeting virtually via Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The commission may hear verbal public comments from virtual attendees at this meeting. If comments are taken, you will be asked to virtually raise your hand and then acknowledged to speak when it is your turn. A live webcast of this meeting will be available on the commission’s Webcast page and on our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/NMGameandFish. Comments will not be taken on the live webcast or on YouTube.
Oregon
Meeting Date: February 20
Location: Lane County Armed Forces Readiness Center, 3106 Pierce Parkway, Springfield, OR 97477
Details: Click here for details and agenda
Notes: Commission meetings begin at 8 a.m. and proceed chronologically through the agenda. If you wish to receive written materials prepared for any of the agenda items, please contact the Director’s Office in Salem at (503) 947-6044 or email ODFW.Commission@odfw.oregon.gov to request a packet for those items that interest you. Members of the public can view a livestream of the meeting via the agency’s YouTube channel or on the Commission page. Members of the public may also view a livestream of this meeting at ODFW Headquarters, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem. Comment and testimony are limited to 3 minutes or less.The Fish and Wildlife Commission has moved to hybrid meetings, meaning that you have the option to attend in-person or virtually. Those who would like to provide virtual testimony on an Exhibit scheduled on this agenda must REGISTER no less than 48 hours (Wednesday, Feburary 18 at 8 a.m.) in advance to receive a testimony link to the meeting. To provide testimony on an agenda item in-person, registration will also be available at the meeting. To provide testimony virtually or in-person during Public Forum you must contact the Director’s office no less than 48 hours (8 a.m. Wednesday January 14) in advance of the meeting for approval. Meeting is livestreamed here.
Action: Comment on the petition on modification to commercial Dungeness crab fishery rules to better protect whales after the young humpback whale died from entanglement in late 2025. The commission has already made late-season changes to this year’s fishery rules but can go farther to save whales’ lives.
Delaware
Meeting Date: February 24
Location: TBA, Dover, DE
Details: Click here for agenda and details (note no agenda available as of 2/2)
Notes: Meeting starts at 7 p.m. This will be a hybrid meeting with an in-person option in Dover and a virtual option via Teams. To join virtually via Teams, click here and enter Meeting ID: 294 098 738 088 64 and passcode: 6wC69BX7. To join by phone (audio-only) dial 1-302-504-8986 and enter code 391878221#. For more information, contact the DNREC Wildlife Section, at 302-739-9912 or Joe Rogerson at Joseph.Rogerson@delaware.gov or 302-739-9912.
Georgia
Meeting Date: February 24
Location: A.W. Jones Heritage Center, 610 Beachview Drive, St. Simons Island, GA 31522
Details: Click here for details. (note the meeting agenda was not available at time of webpage publishing)
Notes: Meeting starts at 9 a.m. Watch online here. It is unclear how to comment or participate outside of attending in person.
Ohio—Meeting 2
Meeting Date: February 25
Location: Wildlife District 1 Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus, OH
Details: Click here for agenda and details (note: no agenda available as of 2/2)
Notes: Meeting begins at 6 p.m. Comments for open forums during Ohio Wildlife Council meetings must be about a current rule proposal. If you have a topic that is not a current rule proposal, please email the council with your comment or question or speak to a council member before or after a meeting. If the topic falls within the wildlife, fish, or law section, feel free to reach out at our open houses or email the Division of Wildlife at wildinfo@dnr.ohio.gov. Speakers must register by 5 p.m. the Monday before the meeting via the Public Comment Form, which must be submitted to wildlife.council@dnr.ohio.gov. Along with the form, submit any handouts you plan to provide. Speakers are limited to 3 minutes. There will be a maximum of ten speaker slots available. PowerPoint presentations are not permitted.
Wisconsin
Meeting Date: February 25
Location: TBD; not available at time of webpage publishing
Details: Click here for agenda and meeting details (note: no agenda available as of 2/2)
Notes: The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. The public is encouraged to watch live on YouTube. The Natural Resources Board will meet in-person. Remote testimony from the public via Zoom may be accepted for this meeting. In person public appearances are also welcome. Members of the public can submit their request to testify remotely, in person, or their written comments by the posted deadline date for Board consideration, typically one week before the meeting date. Please contact Ashley Bystol, NRB Liaison, at 608-267-7420 or by email at DNRNRBLiaison@wisconsin.gov with NRB-related questions, to request information, submit written comments or to register to testify at a meeting.
Hawai’i—Meeting 2
Meeting Date: February 27
Location: 1151 Punchbowl St. Room 132 (Kalanimoku Building), Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Details: Meeting agendas are posted at least 6 days prior to the date of the meeting but an agenda for this month was not available when this webpage was posted. Keep checking back on this webpage.
Notes: Meeting starts at 9.a.m. Attend in person and arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting start time in order to add your name to the sign-in sheet. To speak virtually, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov. Include your name and the agenda item on which you would like to testify. Once your request has been received, you will receive an email with the Zoom link. Requests may be also made during the meeting. Meetings will be livestreamed at: https://youtube.com/c/boardoflandandnaturalresourcesdlnr. To submit a comment, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting to ensure time for BLNR Member review.
Alabama
Meeting Date: February 28
Location: Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Richard Beard Auditorium, 1445 Federal Dr., in Montgomery, Alabama
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: Meeting starts at 9 a.m. Comments are in-person only. Those who wish to address the Board must register between 8:00 and 8:30 am. Please bring 18 copies of all documents you wish to distribute to the Board to the Registration Table. Make sure your name and organization are on each document. After registering before the meeting, the person wishing to speak should go to the designated microphone when called. After being recognized by the Chair, the person should first give his/her name, city and county. The time limit to speak is three minutes. If several persons wish to speak on the same subject, the group should choose one speaker to represent them. The Chair may or may not choose to call on each person in that group to speak for additional information. Questions or debate from Advisory Board members shall be limited to 10 minutes. No person may speak twice until all registered speakers have spoken, and then only at the discretion of the Chair.
