Massachusetts, with its rich animal heritage, attracts people from everywhere. From the eastern coast to the western highlands, its diverse landscapes provide shelter for a range of game species. Hunters eagerly anticipate exploring its splendid outdoors and potentially spotting a unique creature or two.

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This guide provides every detail for planning your Massachusetts hunting trip in 2025. It covers necessary topics such as understanding rules, identifying prime hunting locations, and keeping track of season dates. Adhere to these recommendations for a fruitful and pleasurable outdoor experience.

MA Important Hunting Dates & Limits

Here’s a clean, unique formatting of the hunting seasons with short bullet points and proper headings:

Whitetail Deer Hunting

Youth Day

Sept 27 (special permit needed)

Archery Season

Oct 6 to Nov 29 (zones 1-14)

Paraplegic Hunt

Oct 30 to Nov 1

Shotgun Season

Dec 1 to Dec 13

Primitive Firearms

Dec 15 to Dec 31

Black Bear Seasons

Early Hunt

Sep 2 to Sep 20

Mid Hunt

Nov 3 to Nov 22

Late Hunt

Dec 1 to Dec 13

(One bear per year, must register within 48 hours)

Turkey Hunting

Spring Gobbler

Youth Day: Apr 26
General Season: Apr 28 to May 24 (zones 1-13)

Fall Season

Archery/Firearm: Oct 6 to Nov 29
Shotgun/Muzzleloader: Oct 20 to Nov 1

Furbearer Seasons

Coyote

Jan 1 to Mar 8, 2025
Oct 18, 2025 to Mar 7, 2026

Fox (Red/Gray)

Jan 1 to Feb 28, 2025
Nov 1, 2025 to Feb 28, 2026

Bobcat

Jan 1 to Mar 8, 2025 (zones 1-8)
Dec 20, 2025 to Mar 7, 2026 (zones 1-8)

Raccoon & Opossum

Jan 1 to Jan 31, 2025
Oct 1, 2025 to Jan 31, 2026

(Closed during shotgun deer season, except coyote with restrictions)

Upland Birds

Pheasant

Youth Days: Sep 6, 13, 20 & Oct 4, 11
General Season: Oct 18 to Dec 31

Grouse

Oct 18 to Nov 29

Quail

Oct 18 to Dec 31 (zones 11-14)

American Crow

Jan 1 to Apr 10, 2025
Jul 1, 2025 to Apr 10, 2026 (Mon, Fri, Sat only)

Small Game

Squirrel

Jan 1 to Feb 28, 2025
Sep 2, 2025 to Feb 28, 2026

Rabbit & Hare

Jan 1 to Feb 28, 2025
Oct 18, 2025 to Feb 28, 2026

(Closed during shotgun deer season)

Migratory Birds

Ducks

Berkshire Zone: Oct 13–Nov 28 & Dec 13–Jan 3
Central Zone: Oct 11–Nov 28 & Dec 15–Jan 3
Coastal Zone: Oct 11–Oct 18 & Nov 28–Jan 28

Geese

Early Season: Sep 1–Sep 19
Berkshire: Oct 13–Nov 15
Central: Oct 11–Nov 28 & Dec 15–Jan 3
Coastal: Oct 11–Oct 18 & Nov 28–Jan 28

Woodcock

Oct 2 to Nov 22

Special Hunts

Youth/Veteran Waterfowl

Sep 20 & Oct 4

Falconry

Small Game: Through Mar 14
Waterfowl: Oct 18 to Feb 19

Trapping

Beaver: Nov 1, 2025 to Apr 15, 2026
Fisher: Nov 1 to Nov 22, 2025
Mink/Otter: Nov 1 to Dec 15, 2025

(Check zone-specific rules for all seasons)

Massachusetts Migratory Game Bird Bag Limits:

Ducks:

Everyday bags: 6 ducks maximum
Only 4 of the 6 can be sea ducks (see below)
Possession: 18

Sea Duck Limits:

Scoter, Long-tailed Duck: 3 each
Eider: 3 total (only 1 female)
These sea duck limits apply within the overall 6-duck daily bag
12 you may keep

Other Species:

American Coot: 15 as bag, 45 possession
daMergansers: 5 as bag, 15 possession

Additional Notes:

Check the principal rules for particular duck species caps (Like, Mallard: a limit of 4 per day, only 2 can be female).
This applies just to the Early Canada Goose: you can hunt from half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset.

Regulations

Who can Hunt:

One should be over 15 and carry a hunting permit.
If over 18 without previous permits, a hunter’s education class is needed.
Youth hunters face particular age limits and prerequisites.
Anyone 12 or older requires a trapping license.

Where to Hunt:

Places like State Forests and Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are good hunting spots.
Some private green spaces (if allowed).
Enclosed city and protective zones (refer to local rules).
Nationwide animal havens (with some limits).
Always ask the landowner if you’re hunting on their turf.
Respecting signs and borders is key.

Licenses and Fees:

Be sure to get your hunting licenses and permits beforehand.
In Massachusetts, they have distinct licenses for residents and nonresidents
Hunting licenses are necessary for anyone older than 15.
Courses are available for bowhunting and trapping (free).

General Regulations:

If you see rule breakers or had an accident, call Mass. Environmental Police at 800-632-8075
Stick to the rules given for archery tools like draw weight, blade size, and seasonal adjustments.
Make sure to wear visible, bright orange clothing as stated by the season and area.
Know the do’s and don’ts of using dogs during hunting periods.
If you have game, report it quickly and correctly, following the tagging and informing guidelines. Be mindful of what’s not allowed when, as well as consequences for breaking these rules.
Out-of-state hunters must fulfill special license or permit demands.
Each season has a start and an end – pay attention to any specific rules during deer season with shotgun.
Tree stand placement and use have rules to follow.
Extra care is needed on Youth Deer Hunt Day about the gear and clothes worn.
Don’t waste game – go find it and put it to use after hunting.

MA Hunting and Trapping License Fees

Hunting Licenses:

Resident

Basic: $33 (includes 2 antlerless deer tags)
Minor (15-17): $6.50 (includes 2 antlerless deer tags)
Senior (65-69): $16.50 (includes 2 antlerless deer tags)

Non-resident

Big Game: $105 (includes 2 antlerless deer tags)
Small Game: $71

Paraplegic: FREE (includes 2 antlerless deer tags)

Trapping Licenses:

Trapping:

Resident

Basic: $36
Minor (12-17): $6.50
Senior (65-69): $18

Non-resident Trapping Permit: $209

Permits and Stamps (all purchased separately):

Wildlands Stamp: $5
Antlerless Deer Permit: $10/$20 (when issued)
Deer Stamps (Archery/Primitive Firearms): $10/$20 each
Bear Permit: $10/$20
Pheasant/Quail Permit: $12/$18
Turkey Permit): $10/$20
Waterfowl Stamp: $10/$20

Important Notes:

The Wildlands Stamp fee isn’t part of the listed prices. It’s an extra charge added to the first license a resident buys or every license a non-resident buys.
Lower rate local permits are restricted to US nationals only.
Certain permissions need prior approval (extra information given).

Top Massachusetts Hunting Locations by Species

Let’s look more closely at some Massachusetts best spots for hunting:

Western Massachusetts:

Deer: The Wildlife Management Area (WMA) of Horestone Mountain, nestled between Blandford and Chester, is popular for its thriving deer community. Both white-tailed and mule deer are abundant in this extensive WMA.

Turkey: The Berkshire Natural Wildlife Area located in Lanesborough is a fabulous spot for turkey hunting during spring and fall seasons. A wonderful blend of woods and meadows in the area makes the perfect dwelling place for these smart birds.

Coyotes: Western counties like Hampshire and Franklin offer good chances of encountering these cunning predators. Public lands with varied terrain, such as the Northfield State Forest and the Montague Plains WMA, are suitable for coyote hunting.

Central Massachusetts:

Upland Game Birds: The Sudbury River Valley Wildlife region, spread over multiple towns, houses game birds like pheasants, grouse, and woodcock. The diverse environments in the region make good homes for these animals.

Cottontail Rabbit: Cottontail Rabbit: Lots of cottontail rabbits live throughout our state. There are many spots in central Massachusetts to hunt small game. Public lands, like Marlborough’s Fish and Wildlife area and Harold Parker’s forest in Middleton, are famous for rabbit hunts.

Waterfowl: Central Massachusetts, with its assortment of lakes, ponds, and rivers, offers great spots for waterfowls. Wallum Lake’s wildlife area in Douglas and the Great Brook Farm spot in Dudley are well-liked for hunting ducks and geese.

Coyotes: The central regions of our state are good spots to hunt this smart predator. Places with a mix of woods and farms are best, as they give coyotes plenty of food and hiding spots.

Eastern Massachusetts:

Canada Geese: Each fall and winter, Eastern Massachusetts becomes a pit stop for the journeying Canada geese. Ideal places for goose are the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newbury and the Plum Island Wildlife Management Area in Ipswich along the coast.

Snowshoe Hare: These critters may be less familiar than cottontail rabbits, but they can be encountered in Northern and forested areas of Eastern Massachusetts. Try the Duxbury Beach WMA in Duxbury or the Hampden Ponds State Park in Ludlow to spot them.

Coastal Waterfowl: The coastline of Massachusetts is a hub for different types of saltwater ducks and seabirds. Spots like Crane Beach Wildlife Management Area in Ipswich and Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge are ideal for seasoned hunters aiming to hunt brant, scoters, and oldsquaw.

Cottontail Rabbit: Eastern Massachusetts’s diverse forests and shrub-laden fields serve as excellent habitats for cottontail rabbits. Head to places like the Vineyard Haven State Forest in Martha’s Vineyard, a public hunting ground, to seek these small game animals.

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Eric Hale

Author & Chief Editor at AskHunting.com

Eric Hale, a veteran hunter with more than a decade of experience, imparts his knowledge via AskHunting.com. He offers guidance for hunting, adding strategies, and delivers in-depth guides for the novice and the old hand. He loves family camping sessions, watching Marvel films with his spouse, and going on thrilling road journeys.

Massachusetts Hunting Guide 2025-2026: Current Hotspots and Seasons