Massachusetts: 2026 hunting seasons, license rules and official links
Run by: MassWildlife (Division of Fisheries and Wildlife). Below are the 2026 deer season dates, selected fall turkey, bear and small game dates, and license rules we could read on official pages. It is not a full list of seasons: waterfowl, other small game, trapping and fishing rules are on the official pages linked below.
2026 deer seasons
| Season | Dates (inclusive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Early deer season (Zones 13 and 14 only) | Sep 21, 2026 to Oct 1, 2026 | |
| Youth deer hunt | Oct 2, 2026 to Oct 3, 2026 | |
| Archery deer (Zones 1-14) | Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Shotgun deer (Zones 1-14) | Nov 30, 2026 to Dec 12, 2026 | Hunting is prohibited on Sundays in Massachusetts. |
| Primitive firearms deer (Zones 1-14) | Dec 14, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 |
Source: Mass.gov: 2026 hunting and freshwater fishing season summary. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Dates can vary by zone, unit or land type; check the official page for your location.
Other fall 2026 seasons: turkey, bear and small game
| Season | Dates (inclusive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black bear (Zones 1-14) | Sep 7, 2026 to Dec 12, 2026 | |
| Fall wild turkey (Zones 1-13) | Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Pheasant and quail (Zones 1-14) | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 | Closed during shotgun deer season. Pheasant/Quail Permit required. |
| Ruffed grouse (Zones 1-14) | Oct 17, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Gray squirrel (Zones 1-14) | Sep 8, 2026 to Feb 27, 2027 | Closed during shotgun deer season. |
Source: Mass.gov: 2026 hunting and freshwater fishing season summary. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Licenses, permits or stamps may be required for each species; check the official page.
Good to know before you buy a license or head out
- Hunting is prohibited on Sundays in Massachusetts.
Source: Mass.gov: hunting FAQ. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - You are eligible for a Massachusetts hunting license with a government-issued Basic Hunter Education certificate from any jurisdiction, or if you held a hunting or sporting license before Jan 1, 2007 (from any jurisdiction).
Source: Mass.gov: hunting licenses, permits and stamps. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - You need an Antlerless Deer Permit to take an antlerless deer in archery, shotgun and primitive firearms seasons. Archery and primitive firearms deer seasons also need an Archery Stamp or Primitive Firearms Stamp.
Source: Mass.gov: hunting licenses, permits and stamps. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - A phone image of a valid license is accepted, but when a tag is required (deer, bear, turkey) hunters must carry a paper copy of the license, permits and tags.
Source: Mass.gov: hunting licenses, permits and stamps. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - New for 2026: only synthetic or non-deer-based lures are allowed. Using or possessing scent attractants made from deer tissues or fluids (urine, glands, bladders) while hunting is prohibited, to help keep Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) out of Massachusetts.
Source: Mass.gov: deer hunting regulations. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - All deer taken during the first week of shotgun season must be brought to a physical check station; at other times deer can be reported online through MassFishHunt or at a check station within 48 hours.
Source: Mass.gov: deer hunting regulations. Last verified Oct 17, 2026.
Official links (Massachusetts)
- MassWildlife (Division of Fisheries and Wildlife) home
- Hunting licenses, permits and stamps
- 2026 hunting and freshwater fishing season summary
- Hunting FAQ
- Deer hunting regulations
- Freshwater fishing (Mass.gov)
- State parks and camping (DCR)
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