This is the Official Massachusetts hunting Information and Regulations navigation page for the Massachusetts state rules and regulations guidebook overviews.
You can access each individual state regulation guidebook by clicking the links below.
These are just the overviews of the official state regulations.
The Actual state Massachusetts hunting regulation guidebooks are accessible by clicking on the state you would like to see from the home page map then clicking on the Massachusetts state hunting regulations books.
They are also accessible by clicking on the Massachusetts hunting reg. books below and accessing the Massachusetts hunting regs link in the Massachusetts Guidebooks listed below.
Complete Massachusetts Hunting Regulations Summary Guidebook. Click Here
Enjoy be safe and have a great time exploring the site and remember to check back often to keep updated on all the new laws, rules, and Massachusetts regulations pertaining to the hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife sports. Also remember Massachusetts hunting Licenses, hunters education Information, hunting maps and much more are available at the Massachusetts Home Page.
Weather its, Massachusetts bear hunting, Massachusetts Boar Hunting, Massachusetts deer hunting, Massachusetts dove hunting, Massachusetts Duck Hunting, Massachusetts Elk Hunting, Massachusetts goose hunting, Massachusetts grouse hunting, Massachusetts javelina hunting, Massachusetts mule deer hunting, Massachusetts pheasant hunting, Massachusetts predator hunting, Massachusetts quail hunting, Massachusetts rabbit hunting, Massachusetts pronghorn/antelope hunting, Massachusetts raccoon hunting, Massachusetts moose hunting, Massachusetts whitetail deer hunting, Massachusetts Turkey Hunting  We have the Massachusetts  state hunting regulations for your trip into the wilderness or on the water covered in one easy to location.
Hunting is regulated in Massachusetts by the fish and game department. You can check there website for current hunting information including Hunters education coarses and requirements.
Massachusetts hunting opportunities are diverse. Everything from antelope, deer, elk, wild pig and bear. Most hunting opportunities are established using the zone system with varying dates and bag limits. Special muzzleloader and archery seasons are available for most upland game and big game species.
Massachusetts Hunting information.
PHEASANT
Zone from the New Hampshire border south on I-95 to I-495 south to I-95, north on I-95 to I-93/128, east on I-93/128 to Rte. 3, south on Rte. 3 to Rte. 228, north on 228 to the Hull town line. Cocks and hens may be hunted west of the zone line and on all WMAs. Cocks only may be hunted east of the zone line including Hull and in Dukes and Nantucket counties. See WMA Reg. #10.
QUAIL
Zones 11–14 only. See WMA Reg. #10.
RUFFED GROUSE
See WMA Reg. #10.
WILD TURKEY
Permit required. Official safety sticker must be adhered to firearm in such a manner as to be visible when hunter is sighting down the barrel. If new or replacement sticker is needed, send self-addressed stamped envelope to DFW's Field Headquarters office. Spring hunting hours: ½ hour before sunrise to 12:00 noon. Fall hunting hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset except as noted in WMA Reg. #10.
Bag limit: (a) 2 bearded birds in spring season (1 per day) with NO fall bird allowed, OR (b) 1 bearded bird in spring season, and 1 bird of either sex in fall season. No hunter may take 2 birds in the fall season. Hunting only with shotguns no larger than 10 gauge (.775 caliber for smoothbore muzzleloaders) and restricted to shot sizes #4–#6, or with bows 40 lbs. pull or greater. Electronic calls, dogs, bait, driving prohibited. Successful hunters must tag bird immediately (with tag attached to permit) and bring bird to an official checking station within 48 hours.
BLACK BEAR
Permit required. Submit application attached to license to Westborough Field Headquarters prior to season opening. Zones 1–9 ONLY. Hunting only with rifle .23 caliber or larger, muzzleloader .44–.775 caliber, bows with 40 lb. pull or greater, or revolvers .357 Magnum or .40 caliber or larger. Revolvers permitted in September season only — shotguns prohibited. Dogs prohibited for hunting and training (see Hunting Dogs). Hunting hours close ½ hour after sunset except as noted in WMA Reg. #10. Successful hunters must tag bear immediately (with tag attached to permit) and bring bear to an official checking station within 48 hours. Limit 1 bear per year.
DEER
Hunting hours begin ½ hour before sunrise and close ½ hour after sunset except as noted in WMA Reg. #10.
ANTLERED DEER: Any deer with at least 1 antler 3 inches long measured on a straight line from the center of the anterior (front) base of the antler burr to the tip.
ANTLERLESS DEER: A permit is required to harvest antlerless deer during any season in all zones. Only one application per person. Applications must be postmarked no later than July 16th. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted. Additional permits may be available in certain zones (see note below). Permits are accompanied by a zone-specific tag, are valid in any deer season and must be in the hunter’s possession while he/she is hunting.
NOTE: Each 2010 antlerless deer permit has a tag attached, valid for one antlerless deer, increasing the seasonal bag limit for anyone possessing an antlerless deer permit. If you hunt the archery, shotgun, or muzzleloader seasons, you must have an antlerless deer permit to take an antlerless deer. The number of deer a hunter may harvest statewide depends on the number of antlerless deer permits purchased. A hunter may possess antlerless deer permits for more than one zone. For example, if a hunter applies for a permit for Zone 5 through the drawing, and is selected for that permit, that hunter may purchase additional permits for a zone that has permits available (e.g. Zone 14). Permit availability depends on permit allocation and the number of applicants.
TAGGING REQUIREMENTS: Immediately upon killing a deer and prior to moving it (during any deer season), the tag portion must be separated from the license or antlerless deer permit, filled out, and attached to the deer in a conspicuous manner. The deer must be taken to an official checking station by the person who killed it within 48 hours after killing it for validation by a Division of Fisheries & Wildlife representative. At that time the paper tag will be collected and a metal tag affixed. This constitutes the official report of kill as required by law. Deer taken on Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, or
Cuttyhunk must be tagged on the island where shot. Deer must not be possessed, transported, or under a person's control unless the deer, or a part of the deer, is open to view. However, after the deer has been tagged with an official metal seal, the deer may be concealed.
AFTER KILLING TWO DEER: After killing two bucks, no person shall hunt for any bird or mammal except for:
1 hunting antlerless deer with an antlerless deer permit.
2 hunting coyotes.
3 hunting waterfowl in coastal waters.
DAILY BAG: The daily bag limit is determined by the number of valid tags a hunter possesses. Hunters possessing 1 deer may take 1 additional deer before presenting the first deer at an official check station. However, all deer must be taken to a check station within 48 hours of being killed.
ANNUAL BAG: 2 antlered deer, and as many antlerless deer as the hunter has valid permits for, provided that:
• Hunters may purchase additional antlerless deer permits for available zones.
• Hunters may take a maximum of 2 deer in the Quabbin Reservation, both of which may be antlerless, provided the hunter obtains a second antlerless deer permit after checking their first antlerless deer at a Quabbin check station. Antlerless deer taken in the Quabbin are not considered part of the statewide bag limit. Antlered deer taken in the Quabbin are part of the statewide bag limit.
DURING MUZZLELOADER DEER SEASON hunters may use only shoulder-fired muzzleloaders .44 caliber to .775 caliber; barrel length 18 inches or more with only one barrel operational. Inline ignition systems are permitted providing rifle loads from the muzzle. Hinge action (break open) muzzleloaders are NOT permitted. Single projectile only (no buckshot). Sabot rounds, 209 primers, and scopes are legal. Powder limited to black powder, pyrodex or other approved substitutes. Firearm is considered unloaded when cap or pan powder is removed. Primitive Firearms Stamp required. Archers may hunt during the muzzleloader firearms season but must purchase a Primitive Firearms Stamp and wear at least 500 square inches of hunter orange on head, back, and chest.
During shotgun deer season hunters may use shoulder-fired muzzleloaders not larger than .775 caliber, including modern muzzleloaders, muzzleloaders with telescopic sights, hinge action muzzleloaders and muzzleloaders using sabot rounds. Firearm is considered unloaded when cap or pan powder is removed.
DURING SHOTGUN DEER SEASON hunters may use shotguns notlarger than 10 gauge, bows and arrows, or muzzleloaders not smaller than .44 caliber, or larger than .775 caliber. This includes modern muzzleloaders, hinge action muzzleloaders, muzzleloaders with telescopic sights, and permits the use of sabot rounds. Rifled barrel shotguns are legal during shotgun deer season.
All deer hunters must wear a minimum of 500 square inches of “hunter orange” on their head, chest, and back during shotgun and muzzleloader seasons. This includes archers hunting during either season.
The possession of rifles, handguns, or dogs in any woodland or field, or use of same on any game, is prohibited during the shotgun deer season except that the use of dogs is lawful for hunting waterfowl on coastal waters.
DRIVING DEER is lawful.
IMPORTATION OF DEER PARTS from states or provinces where Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been detected is illegal. It is legal to import meat that is de-boned, cleaned skull caps, hides without the head, or a fixed taxidermy mount. No live deer, of any species, may be brought into Massachusetts for any purpose. Importation of live deer is illegal.
QUABBIN CONTROLLED DEER HUNT: Call DCR (413) 323-7221 in July for information. Must apply by Aug. 15.
PARAPLEGIC SPORTSMEN'S HUNT: There is a special deer hunt for paraplegic sportsmen. Contact DFW Field Headquarters (508) 389-6300 or visit the DFW website (www.mass.gov/masswildlife) for more information.
JACKRABBIT
Season limited to Nantucket County (Zone 14).
GRAY SQUIRREL
Rifles and handguns are permitted in Zones 1–9; prohibited in Zones 10–14. No person shall hunt by any means other than shotgun or bow and arrow during the pheasant and quail seasons, on areas stocked with pheasant or quail (see WMA regulation #9).
Hunting hours for gray squirrel are from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset except that no person shall hunt on Wildlife Management Areas where pheasant and quail are stocked during the open season on pheasant and quail (Oct. 16 – Nov. 27) except for the hunting of raccoons and opossums between 9pm and 3am.
BOBCAT
Hunting hours close ½ hour after sunset. Hunting is limited to Zones 1-8. All bobcats taken must be checked within 4 working days of the date of harvest. The Director will close the season when the harvest reaches 50 bobcats. Contact District Office for updates on the total harvest and season closure.
COYOTE & FOX
Hunting hours end at midnight. Artificial lights prohibited. Rifles chambered to take larger than .22 caliber long rifle rimfire ammunition and pistols and revolvers chambered to take ammunition larger than .38 caliber are prohibited between the hours of ½ hour after sunset and ½ hour before sunrise (night time). Shotguns are allowed (see Shotgun Ammunition). Firearms other than shotguns and bows and arrows are prohibited on WMAs stocked with pheasant or quail during the pheasant and quail season. Coyote and Fox must be tagged within four working days of the end of the season. For hunting coyotes during shotgun deer season, all shotgun deer season rules apply (hunter orange, firearms, etc.).
RACCOON
Limit of 3 raccoons from sunset of 1 day to sunset of following day by 1 person; 6 by 2 or more persons hunting in same group. Night hunting on WMAs (except Delaney and Flint Pond WMAs) is permitted from sunset to sunrise except from Oct. 16 to Nov. 27 on areas stocked with pheasant or quail, when
raccoon may be hunted only from 9pm to 3am.
Trapping
TRAP TYPES
The only traps which may be used for the taking of fur-bearing mammals are cage or box type traps and common rat traps. Hancock and Bailey traps may be used only when the trapper has been trained in their use and may be used only for taking beaver. A trapper using these traps must carry with him/her a certificate of completion of the course on Hancock and Bailey traps. Common rat traps may be used for the taking of weasels only.
Steel-jaw foothold traps, padded jaw traps, body-gripping (Conibear) traps (see below), snares, deadfalls, and any traps other than those specified above are prohibited. Such traps may not be set, tended, used, or possessed in the field.
There is a detailed procedure for obtaining a special permit to use a body gripping (Conibear) trap for certain types of wildlife damage. Contact your local DFW District Office for details.
MANDATORY TRAINING: Persons using Bailey or Hancock traps must take the trapper education class offered by the Hunter Education Program (See Trapper Education).
REPORTING STOLEN TRAPS: A trapper must report loss or theft of a trap in writing to the Office of Law Enforcement within 48 hours of the loss or theft, or remain responsible for its use. The report should include the number and type of traps, the date, time, place and circumstances of the loss or theft. Such reports must be signed under the pains and penalties of perjury. Stolen traps should be reported to:
COASTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT:
Mass. Environmental Police
Office of Law Enforcement
Attn: Trap Loss
Bldg. #45, 349 Lincoln St.
Hingham, MA 02043
INLAND LAW ENFORCEMENT:
Mass. Environmental Police
Office of Law Enforcement
Attn: Trap Loss
183 Milk Street
Westborough, MA 01581
STAKING is not a recognized practice and conveys no special trapping privileges.
OPEN SEASON
(All Dates Inclusive)
TRAPPING SPECIES
Bobcat*, Coyote*, Fox*, Weasel
Nov. 1 – Nov. 30
Fisher*
Nov. 1 – Nov. 22
Mink*, River Otter*
Nov. 1 – Dec. 15
Beaver*
Nov. 1 – April 15, 2011
Muskrat, Opossum,
Raccoon, Skunk
Nov. 1 – Feb. 28, 2011
* Pelt sealing required; see below.
BOBCAT
Bobcat may be taken by trapping in Wildlife Management Zones 1–8. Pelts must be sealed within 4 working days of the date of harvest. The Director will close the season when the harvest reaches 50 bobcats. Contact District Office for updates on the total harvest and season closure.
PELT SEALING
• Beaver, Coyote, Fisher, Fox, Mink, and River Otter pelts must be sealed within four working days of the end of the season.
• Bobcat pelts must be sealed within four working days of the date of harvest.
• Pelt sealing is not required for muskrat, opossum, raccoon, skunk, or weasel.
SALE OF PELTS
EXPORTING RAW FURS: When shipping raw fur pelts by any carrier, the contents of the package and the shipper’s hunting or trapping license number must be listed on the outside of the package.
The destruction or removal of any identifying tag or label that is attached to a container in which skins are shipped is unlawful.
All river otter and bobcat require CITES tags to be lawfully exported for sale.
PELTS of coyote, wild fox, wild mink, gray wolf, bobcat, lynx, fisher, marten, river otter, or beaver may not be sold in Massachusetts unless tagged by the state or province of origin.
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND REPORTING VIOLATIONS
Know the current laws and regulations before you trap. If you are aware of illegal trapping activities, or suspect a violation of any wildlife law, Environmental Police Officers can be reached at (800) 632-8075 (toll free)
or (617) 727-6398.
VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES: Trapping licenses can be revoked for one year in addition to other penalties and fines as well as restitutions of up to $1000 and/or six months in jail. Traps and other equipment can be seized and forfeited to the Commonwealth. In addition, Problem Animal Control Licenses and/or Furbuyer licenses can be revoked, plus fines and penalties assessed, and additionally, fur products can be seized and forfeited to the Commonwealth.
Incidental catch of any species other than beaver or muskrat while trapping with a 10 day emergency permit must be turned over to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Bear hunters who applied for a permit should now be in receipt of their permits through the mail. Bear hunters who have not yet received their permit should contact MassWildlife Permit Specialist Lori Cookman at (508) 389-6339. Bear permit applications, located on the duplicate copy of the paper hunting and sporting licenses, may still be mailed in with the $5.00 fee. Only online license holders may purchase a bear permit online. Bear permits are also available at the MassWildlife Westborough Field Headquarters and the District Offices located in Pittsfield, Belchertown, West Boylston, and Acton; please note that MassWildlife's Southeast District Office in Bourne will not be issuing bear permits. Hunters must bring their hunting license and the $5.00 fee to obtain an over-the-counter bear permit.
Antlerless deer permit notification cards were mailed to deer hunters in mid-August. All applicants selected for their Wildlife Management Zone (WMZ) of choice were notified of their permit with a yellow postcard.
t the July 31 Board Meeting, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board voted to promulgate the following new regulations relating to coyotes:
TRAP REGISTRATION
All traps used on the land of another must have a valid registration number (obtained and validated from Boston office) embedded or cut into the trap. The assigned number, including letter and figures, must be at least ⅛ inches high and legible at all times. The trap must also have attached a metal tag bearing the owner’s name, town and registration number. Once obtained, your registration number is yours for life, but must be renewed every two years. If you wish to trap on another's land, you must maintain a current certification of that registration number. Registration numbers are available from the Boston office of the DFW. The annual fee for trap registration is $5.00. Renewal fee is $5.00. Make check payable to Comm. of MA—DFW.
FURBEARER CHECK STATIONS
Any wild fox, coyote, fisher, wild mink, river otter, or beaver killed must be taken to an official check station to be sealed by an agent of the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife within four working days of the end of season for each species. Bobcat must be tagged with official seals within four working days of the date harvested. Sealing is not required for weasel, raccoon, opossum, skunk, and muskrat.
Check stations are located at all Wildlife District Headquarters, Bitzer and Sunderland State Fish Hatcheries, Newbury WMA Headquarters, and Westborough Field Headquarters (Monday–Friday excluding holidays). Coyotes may be checked at other locations; visit our website at www.mass.gov/masswildlife or call Westborough Field Headquarters. See list of check stations at right. Call check station prior to bringing animals for sealing.
MANDATORY TRAPPER EDUCATION
The trapper education course is mandatory for:
• all first-time trappers before they may obtain a trap registration number or trap on the land of another
• all first-time Problem Animal Control Agents
• anyone planning to use a Bailey or Hancock trap. Bailey and Hancock traps may not be used, set, tended, or placed unless the trapper has successfully completed a training course in their use. The trapper’s certificate must be carried when using such traps.
Trapper Education must be taken in Massachusetts. To register for a Trapper Education course call (978) 772-0693.

• Since 1998, most people with Massachusetts gun licenses - a License to Carry Firearms or a Firearm Identification card - have automatically qualified to purchase hunting licenses. With the bill's signing, the gun license qualification has been eliminated. Massachusetts comes into line with the other 49 states requiring all new hunters take a basic hunter education course in order to purchase a hunting or sporting license. The new law provides an exception for adults who held any hunting or sporting licenses prior to January 1, 2007.
  The Hunter Education program is administered by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) and the courses are taught by certified volunteer instructors. The Program's mission is to protect the lives and safety of the public, promote the wise management and ethical use of wildlife resource, and encourage a greater appreciation of the environment through education. Massachusetts offered its first hunter safety course in 1954 and to date has graduated more than 160,000 students.
  "Prior to the passage of this law some eight years ago, hunter education was mandatory for all first time hunters, with no exceptions. While GOAL does not normally support mandatory training, it is our belief that every first time hunter should be exposed to the ethics, safety aspects and laws in Massachusetts regarding hunting before taking to the field for the first time."
  Click Here to go to the Massachusetts Home Page which Includes the Hunting and Fishing Regulation Guidebooks, Maps, Videos, and Lots more Cool Stuff !!