Fall in the bay state attracts the largest number of hunters. Explore this page to unravel the intricacies of Massachusetts hunting season, including deer, upland birds, and small game.
Important Resources
Mass Hunting Seasons
Deer
| Youth Hunt Day | Sept. 28, 2024 | 1 antlered deer statewide OR antlerless deer |
| Archery (Zones 1–14) | Oct. 7 – Nov. 30, 2024 | 2 antlered deer + antlerless deer by permit |
| Paraplegic | Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, 2024 | |
| Shotgun | Dec. 2 – Dec. 14, 2024 | |
| Primitive Firearms | Dec. 16 – Dec. 31, 2024 |
Bear
| Black Bear, Zones 1–14 | Sept. 3 – Sept. 21, 2024 |
| Nov. 4 – Nov. 23, 2024 | |
| Dec. 2 – Dec. 14, 2024 |
Turkey
| Type | Zones | |
|---|---|---|
| Youth | 1–13 | Apr. 27, 2024 |
| Spring | Apr. 29 – May 25, 2024 | |
| Fall | 1–13 | Oct. 7 – Nov. 30, 2024 |
Upland Birds
Crow
| Zones 1–14 | Jan. 1 – April 10, 2024 July 1, 2024 – April 10, 2025 (M, F, Sat only) |
Pheasant
| Youth Days | Sept. 7, 14, 21 Oct. 5, 12, 2024 | Bag of 2 and possession of 4 |
| Zones 1–14 | Oct. 19 – Dec. 31, 2024 | 2 |
Quail
| Zones 11–14 | Oct. 19 – Dec. 31, 2024 | 4 and 8 bag and possession |
Grouse
| Ruffed Grouse – Zones 1–14 | Oct. 19 – Nov. 30, 2024 | Bag of 3 and 6 as possession |
MA Furbearer
Rabbit and Hare
| Species | Bag | Possession | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit – Zones 1–14 | Jan. 1, 2024 – Feb. 29, 2024 Oct. 19, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025 | 5 | 10 |
| Snowshoe Hare – Zones 1–14 | 2 | 4 |
Squirrel
| Gray Squirrel – Zones 1–14 | Jan. 1, 2024 – Feb. 29, 2024 Sept. 3, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025 | Bag of 5 and double the Possession |
Bobcat
| Zones 1–8 | Jan. 1 – Mar. 8, 2024 Dec. 20, 2024 – Mar. 8, 2025 |
Coyote
| Zones 1–14 | Jan. 1 – Mar. 8, 2024 Oct. 19, 2024 – Mar. 8, 2025 |
Fox
| Red or gray – Zones 1–14 | Jan. 1 – Feb. 29, 2024 Nov. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025 |
Opossum
| Zones 1–14 | Jan. 1 – Feb. 29, 2024 Nov. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025 |
Raccoon
| Zones 1–14 | Jan. 1 – Jan. 31, 2024 Oct. 1, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025 | Limit of 3 |
Beaver
| Jan. 1 – April 15, 2024 Nov. 1, 2024 – April 15, 2025 |
Weasel
| Nov. 1 – Nov. 30, 2024 |
Mink
| Nov. 1 – Dec. 15, 2024 |
River Otter
| Nov. 1 – Dec. 15, 2024 |
Muskrat
| Jan. 1 – Feb. 29, 2024 Nov. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025 |
MA Migratory Birds
Rail
| Bags | Possession | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sora Rail | 1-Sep - 7-Nov | 5 | 15 |
| Virginia Rail | 10 | 30 |
Snipe
| 1-Sep - 16-Dec |
Woodcock
| 2-Oct - 22-Nov | 3 bag and 9 as possession |
Duck
| Location | Bag | Possession | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkshire | 9-Oct - 25-Nov | 6 | 18 |
| 11-Dec - 30-Dec | |||
| Central | 14-Oct - 25-Nov | ||
| 12-Dec - 6-Jan | |||
| Coastal | 14-Oct - 21-Oct | ||
| 28-Nov - 27-Jan | |||
| 9-Jan - 27-Jan | (Scaup with 2-bird daily bag, Coastal Zone only) | ||
| Sea Ducks | Same as ducks | 4 | 12 |
| Falconry (Ducks & Coot only, no geese) | 9-Oct - 9-Feb | 3 | 9 |
American Coot
| Bags | Possession | ||
| General | 9-Oct - 25-Nov | 6 | 18 |
| 11-Dec - 30-Dec | |||
| Central | 14-Oct - 25-Nov | ||
| 12-Dec - 6-Jan | |||
| Coastal | 14-Oct - 21-Oct | ||
| 28-Nov - 27-Jan | |||
| 9-Jan - 27-Jan | (Scaup with 2-bird daily bag, Coastal Zone only) | ||
| Falconry (Coot only) | 9-Oct - 9-Feb | 3 | 9 |
Mergansers
| Bags | Possession | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 9-Oct - 25-Nov | 6 | 18 |
| 11-Dec - 30-Dec | |||
| Central | 14-Oct - 25-Nov | ||
| 12-Dec - 6-Jan | |||
| Coastal | 14-Oct - 21-Oct | ||
| 28-Nov - 27-Jan | |||
| 9-Jan - 27-Jan | (Scaup with 2-bird daily bag, Coastal Zone only) | ||
| Falconry (Coot only) | 9-Oct - 9-Feb | 3 | 9 |
Goose
| Location | Type | Bag Limits | Possession Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berkshire | Regular Goose | 10-Oct - 25-Nov | 3 | 9 |
| 11-Dec - 14-Dec | ||||
| Central | 14-Oct - 25-Nov | 2 | 6 | |
| 12-Dec - 6-Jan | ||||
| Coastal | 14-Oct - 21-Oct | |||
| 29-Nov - 27-Jan | ||||
| Statewide | Early Canada Goose | 1-Sep - 22-Sep | 15 | 45 |
| Berkshire | Late Canada Goose | 1-Jan - 15-Feb | 5 | 15 |
| Central | 15-Jan - 12-Feb | |||
| Northern Coastal Zone | 29-Jan - 15-Feb | |||
| Snow & Blue Goose | Snow & Blue Goose | Same as ducks | 15 | 45 |
| Central Zone / Northern Coastal Zone | Late Snow & Blue Goose | Same as Late Canada Goose |
Brant
| Coastal Zone Only | 12-Dec - 15-Jan | Bag of 1 and 3 as possession |
Youth, Military & Veteran Waterfowl
| Statewide | Bag Limits | |
|---|---|---|
| Youth | Sep 23 & Oct 7 | Same As Regular Seasons |
| Active Military & Veteran | Sep 23 & Jan 29 |
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
FAQ
What age must you must be to legally hunt in Massachusetts?
12 years old is the bare minimum age to hunt. Only who are 18 years of age or older with a valid 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, Nevertheless, If you’re actively engaged in hunting, having a current license, grants you the permission to carry a loaded or unloaded rifle across a public route without the need of a trigger lock.
Does Massachusetts need a hunting license?
Yes, anybody 15 years of age or older must have a hunting license.
Can disabled hunters in Massachusetts get licenses?
Yes, with a doctor’s approval, individuals 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 pursuers between the ages of 12 and 17 in order to shoot deer or turkey.
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
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