The diverse hunting landscapes of Massachusetts offer numerous opportunities for sports enthusiasts seeking solace in the great outdoors. The fall hunting season attracts the largest number of hunters, who come together to pursue their passions and escape from daily life. From bonding with family and friends to reclaiming a peaceful mind, hunting is a widely adored hobby in Massachusetts.
Before you venture into the wilderness, equip yourself with an extensive understanding of the peculiar rules and regulations for each type of hunt. Explore this article to unravel the intricacies of Massachusetts’ 2023-2024 hunting seasons, including deer, upland birds, and small game. As there have been alterations in hunting policies this year, it is imperative to stay informed and ready.
Massachusetts Hunting Seasons
The Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife Board carefully designs hunting seasons to provide the best hunting possibilities. These seasons correspond to the peak abundance of game species and strive to improve the hunting experience for all hunters. The Board also establishes bag limitations on a yearly basis in order to maintain the ecosystem’s equilibrium and promote sustainable hunting techniques.
Deer Hunting Season
| Massachusetts Deer Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer (Youth Hunt) | Saturday, September 30, 2023 | Saturday, September 30, 2023 | Statewide 1 antlered deer OR antlerless deer in the Wildlife Management Zone(s) as specified on the permit |
| Deer (Archery-Zones 10–14) | Monday, October 02, 2023 | Saturday, November 25, 2023 | (2 antlered deer) + (Antlerless deer by permit) |
| Deer (Archery-Zones 1–9) | Monday, October 16, 2023 | Saturday, November 25, 2023 | (2 antlered deer) + (Antlerless deer by permit) |
| Deer (Shotgun) | Thursday, November 02, 2023 | Saturday, November 04, 2023 | (2 antlered deer) + (Antlerless deer by permit) |
| Deer (Primitive Firearms) | Monday, November 27, 2023 | Saturday, December 09, 2023 | (2 antlered deer) + (Antlerless deer by permit) |
| Deer (Paraplegic Hunt) | Monday, December 11, 2023 | Saturday, December 30, 2023 | (2 antlered deer) + (Antlerless deer by permit) |
Massachusetts Black Bear Season
| Massachusetts Bear Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear (Zones 1–14) | Tuesday, September 05, 2023 | Saturday, September 23, 2023 | Annual limit of 1. |
| Bear (Zones 1–14) | Monday, November 06, 2023 | Saturday, November 25, 2023 | Annual limit of 1. |
| Bear(Zones 1–14) | Monday, November 27, 2023 | Saturday, December 09, 2023 | Annual limit of 1. |
Rabbit, Hare and Squirrel Season
| Massachusetts Rabbit & Squirrel Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabbit (Cottontail-Zones 1 to 12) | Monday, January 02, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | 5 bags per person, each day And Possesion limit of 10 |
| Rabbit (Cottontail-Zones 13 to 14) | Saturday, October 14, 2023 | Thursday, February 29, 2024 | 5 bags per person, each day And Possesion limit of 10 |
| Rabbit (Snowshoe Hare 1:Zones 1–14) | Monday, January 02, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | Limit of two bags per day And Possesion limit of 4 |
| Rabbit (Snowshoe Hare 1:Zones 1–14) | Saturday, October 14, 2023 | Thursday, February 29, 2024 | Limit of two bags per day And Possesion limit of 4 |
| Gray Squirrel (Zones 1 to 9) | Monday, January 02, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | Limit of five bags per day and possession limit of 10 |
| Gray Squirrel (Zones 10 to 14) | Tuesday, September 05, 2023 | Thursday, February 29, 2024 | Limit of five bags per day and possession limit of 10 |
MA Furbearers Season
| Massachusetts Furbearer Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | Monday, January 02, 2023 | Wednesday, March 08, 2023 | Zones 1 to 14 |
| Saturday, October 14, 2023 | Friday, March 08, 2024 | ||
| Fox (red or gray) | Monday, January 02, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | Zones 1 to 14 |
| Wednesday, November 01, 2023 | Thursday, February 29, 2024 | ||
| Bobcat | Monday, January 02, 2023 | Wednesday, March 08, 2023 | Zones 1 to 8 |
| Wednesday, December 20, 2023 | Friday, March 08, 2024 | ||
| Opossum | Monday, January 02, 2023 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | Zones 1 to 14 |
| Monday, October 02, 2023 | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | ||
| Raccoon | Monday, January 02, 2023 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | Zones 1 to 14 |
| Monday, October 02, 2023 | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 |
Duck Season
| Massachusetts Duck Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duck (Early Central) | Monday, October 10, 2022 | Saturday, November 26, 2022 | Limit of six bags per day in aggregate. |
| Duck (Early Berkshire) | Monday, October 10, 2022 | Saturday, November 26, 2022 | Limit of six bags per day in aggregate. |
| Duck (Early Coastal) | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Limit of six bags per day in aggregate. |
| Duck (Late Coastal) | Thursday, December 01, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | Limit of six bags per day in aggregate. (Confirm the Scaup limit in the regulations.) |
| Duck (Late Berkshire) | Monday, December 19, 2022 | Saturday, January 07, 2023 | Limit of six bags per day in aggregate. |
| Duck (Late Central) | Tuesday, December 27, 2022 | Monday, January 16, 2023 | Limit of six bags per day in aggregate. |
Goose Season
| Massachusetts Goose Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goose (Early Canada Goose 1) | 2-Sep | 24-Sep | There is a 15-bag daily limit statewide. |
| Goose (Early Berkshire) | 10-Oct | 12-Nov | All geese, with the exception of Snow and Blue geese, are subject to a daily bag restriction of two.(They will continue just like the standard duck seasons.) |
| Goose (Early Central) | 10-Oct | 26-Nov | A 2 bag daily cap Except Snow and Blue geese, all geese.(They will continue just like the standard duck seasons.) |
| Goose (Early Coastal) | 15-Oct | 22-Oct | A 2 bag daily cap Except Snow and Blue geese, all geese.(They will continue just like the standard duck seasons.) |
| Goose (Brant) | 1-Dec | 27-Jan | Just the coastal zone. a 2 bag daily cap |
| Goose (Late Coastal) | 1-Dec | 31-Jan | A 2 bag daily cap Except Snow and Blue geese, all geese.(They will continue just like the standard duck seasons.) |
| Goose (Late Central) | 27-Dec | 16-Jan | A 2 bag daily cap Except Snow and Blue geese, all geese.(They will continue just like the standard duck seasons.) |
| Goose(Late Snow & Blue Goose Central) | 18-Jan | 15-Feb | 15. daily bag limit for the central zone. |
| Goose (Late Canada Goose Central) | 18-Jan | 15-Feb | 5-bag daily limit for the central zone. |
| Goose (Late Snow & Blue Goose North Coastal) | 1-Feb | 15-Feb | 15-bag daily limit for the North Coastal zone. |
| Goose (Late Canada Goose North Coastal) | 1-Feb | 15-Feb | Daily bag restriction of five in the northern coastal zone. |
Upland Birds Season
| MA Upland Game Birds | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crow (Zones 1–14) | Monday, January 02, 2023 | Monday, April 10, 2023 | (M, F, Sat only) |
| Saturday, July 01, 2023 | Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | ||
| Pheasant (Youth Hunt ) | Sept 2, 9, 16, 23, and Oct 7, 2023 | Saturday, October 07, 2023 | A daily bag limit of 2 and possession limit of 4 There is no annual limit |
| Pheasant (Zones 1–14) | Saturday, October 14, 2023 | Saturday, December 30, 2023 | A daily bag limit of 2 and possession limit of 4 There is no annual limit |
| Quail (Zones 1–14) | Saturday, October 14, 2023 | Saturday, December 30, 2023 | A daily bag limit of 4 and possession limit of 8 There is no annual limit |
| Ruffed Grouse (Zones 1–14) | Saturday, October 14, 2023 | Saturday, November 25, 2023 | A daily bag limit of 3 and possession limit of 6 There is an annual limit of 15 |
Turkey Season
| MA Turkey Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey-Big Game (Youth Hunt: Zones 1–13) | April 22, 2023 | April 22, 2023 | (special restrictions apply**) |
| Wild Turkey-Big Game (Spring: Zones 1–13) | Monday, April 24, 2023 | Saturday, May 20, 2023 | See full regulations for more information |
| Wild Turkey-Big Game (Fall: Zones 10–13***) | Monday, October 02, 2023 | Saturday, November 25, 2023 | |
| Wild Turkey-Big Game (Fall: Zones 1–9***) | Monday, October 16, 2023 | Saturday, November 25, 2023 |
Migratory Game Bird Season
| Massachusetts Migratory Game Bird Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Woodcock | Statewide | October 1 - November 22 |
| Youth and Veteran’s Waterfowl | Statewide | September 24 and October 8 |
| Early Goose | Statewide | September 1 - September 23 |
| Regular Goose | Berkshire | October 10 - November 12 |
| Regular Goose | Central | October 10 - November 26 and December 12 - December 31 |
| Regular Goose | Coastal | October 15 - October 22 and November 28 - January 27 |
| Late Goose | Berkshire (new) | December 15 - February 15 |
| Late Goose | Central | January 18 - February 15 |
| Late Goose | North Coastal | January 25 - February 15 |
| Duck | Berkshire | October 10 - November 26 and December 5 - December 24 |
| Duck | Central | October 10 - November 26 and December 12 - December 31 |
| Duck | Coastal | October 15 - October 22 and November 24 - January 24 |
MA Trapping Season
| Massachusetts Trapping Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver | Sunday, January 01, 2023 | Saturday, April 15, 2023 |
| Wednesday, November 01, 2023 | Monday, April 15, 2024 | |
| Bobcat, Coyote | Wednesday, November 01, 2023 | Thursday, November 30, 2023 |
| Fox, Weasel | Wednesday, November 01, 2023 | Thursday, November 30, 2023 |
| Fisher | Wednesday, November 01, 2023 | Wednesday, November 22, 2023 |
| Mink1 River Otter | Wednesday, November 01, 2023 | Friday, December 15, 2023 |
| Muskrat, Opossum, Raccoon, Skunk | Sunday, January 01, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 |
| Wednesday, November 01, 2023 | Thursday, February 29, 2024 |
Hunting Regulations
General Hunting Regulations
Archery Rules:
- All bows, whether recurve, long, or compound, must have a draw weight of 40 lbs. or more and use blades of steel that are at least 7/8 inches wide and well-sharpened.
- With a permission, crossbows are legal for those who are permanently incapacitated.
- Bowhunting does not need a weapons license.
Hunting Orange
- Hunting license holders on stocked WMAs must wear a blazing orange cap during pheasant/quail season.
- Hunters are required to wear 500 square inches of blaze orange on their chest, back, and heads during Youth Deer Hunt Day and throughout the shotgun season for deer.
- Deer hunters must adhere to the 500 sq. inch blaze orange standard during the primitive firearms season.
Dogs:
- Dogs may only be used for waterfowl hunting on coastal waterways and salt marshes during shotgun deer season and Youth Deer Hunt Day.
- Hunting dogs may be taught all year round with blank ammunition, however off-leash training in Wildlife Management Areas need a sporting/hunting license.
Reporting on the harvest
- Deer, bears, and turkeys must have the paper tag from the hunting license or permit attached, and the hunter has 48 hours to report or inspect the game.
- Online or at an official check point, game may be reported.
- The first week of the shotgun deer season requires that every deer taken during that time be transported to a designated check station.
Regulations for Hunting in Massachusetts Wildlife Management Areas
• Prohibited activities: consuming alcohol, littering, removing vegetation or soil, reckless driving, vandalizing property, unauthorized shooting or camping, unauthorized hunting of pheasant or quail without wearing hunter orange, disturbing historical artifacts or remains.
• Restrictions apply to hunting in designated areas within WMAs.
• Use of dogs: allowed only for field tests, hunting, or training with a licensed hunter, either off-leash or on a leash.
• Dog waste must be disposed of off the WMA property (exception for licensed hunters).
Migratory Birds Regulations
- One firearm only; adult hunter may only carry firearm unloaded and cased; all regular season waterfowl hunting laws and bag limitations apply. Youth waterfowl hunting is only open to hunters aged 12 to 17 who are accompanied by a licensed adult hunter who has a valid Massachusetts waterfowl stamp.
- Waterfowl hunting opportunities for active duty personnel and veterans are available on two statewide days; evidence of eligibility is needed, and all bag and season restrictions apply.
- Hunting hours: from dawn to sunset, with the Early Goose Season lasting from half an hour before daybreak to half an hour after sunset.
- migratory game bird licenses and stamps must be purchased via MassFishHunt; there are varying requirements for residents and non-residents, as well as varied requirements for different migratory game birds; and HIP registration is necessary; Every hunter over the age of 16 must purchase a federal duck stamp.
- Hunting tools: crossbows are only permitted with a permission for those who are permanently incapacitated, shotguns no bigger than 10 gauge and fired from the shoulder, non-toxic shot necessary for ducks, geese, sea ducks, and coots.
- Dogs are permitted while hunting; falconry is permitted for ducks and coots (but not for geese); a reasonable attempt must be made to recover migratory birds; and injured birds must be killed right away.
- Blaze orange and life jacket requirements: life jacket necessary for canoe or kayak from September 15 to May 15; blaze orange hat required in certain circumstances.
- All harvested birds must be marked and recorded; the reporting period is seven days after the hunt.
Hunting licenses & Permits Regulations
- Hunting in Massachusetts is restricted to individuals aged 15 or older, with an exception for youth aged 12-14, who may hunt under supervision of a licensed hunter 18 years or older.
- The eligibility for a hunting license is established through either prior hunting license possession prior to 2007 or a government-issued Basic Hunter Education certificate.
- Licensed hunters, anglers, and trappers must keep license, permits, and stamps on hand during activities.
- Tag compliance and carrying a paper copy of license, permits, and tags is mandatory for hunters.
- Special permits are needed for pheasant/quail hunting, antlerless deer, bear, and turkey hunting.
- Disabled hunters can obtain a Crossbow Permit with physician approval.
- Youth hunters aged 12-17 require a free permit for deer or turkey hunting.
- Hunting stamps may also be mandatory, depending on the species and hunting season.
- Annual Wildlands stamp fee, supporting the Wildlands Conservation Fund, may apply to first fishing, hunting, or trapping license purchased each year.
- Agricultural landowners may have access to exclusive permits.
Massachusetts Hunting License Fees.
| Massachusetts Hunting License Fees | Age | Fees & Charges | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-resident | Adult/minor | USD 98 | Big Game Hunting (bear, Deer, Turkey, and all other game species) |
| Non-resident | Adult/minor | USD 64 | Small Game Hunting (All game species except bear, deer, and turkey) |
| Resident Citizen Hunting | USD 26 | ||
| Resident Citizen Hunting | 65 to 69 | USD 13 | |
| Resident Trapping | USD 32 | ||
| Resident Minor Trapping | 12 to 17 | USD 6.5 |
MA Hunting Guide Download
Download the below guide summary of Massachusetts Hunting Season.
FAQs related to Massachusetts Hunting Season
What age must a hunter be to legally hunt in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, 12 years old is the bare minimum age to hunt. Only hunters who are 18 years of age or older with a valid hunting license may accompany children between the ages of 12 and 14.
Is it permissible to carry a sidearm while pursuing game in Massachusetts?
It’s generally disallowed to use a sidearm while hunting in Massachusetts. Nevertheless, If you’re actively engaged in hunting, having a current hunting license grants you the permission to carry a loaded or unloaded hunting rifle across a public route without the need of a trigger lock.
Does Massachusetts need a hunting license?
Yes, in Massachusetts, anybody 15 years of age or older must have a hunting license.
What tools and equipment do hunters need to have with them when they go hunting, fishing, or trapping?
While engaging in these activities, all hunters, anglers, and trappers are required to have their licenses, permits, and stamps on them. When tagging is necessary, hunters must adhere to all rules and carry a paper copy of their license, permits, and tags.
Can disabled hunters in Massachusetts get licenses?
Yes, with a doctor’s approval, hunters with persistent impairments are eligible to apply for a crossbow permit.
For young hunters ages 12 to 17, is a license required?
Yes, a free permission must be obtained for young hunters between the ages of 12 and 17 in order to shoot deer or turkey.