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Deer Hunting in Massachusetts
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of license do I need to hunt deer
in Massachusetts?
A person must have a valid resident hunting or sporting license or non-resident
big game hunting license to hunt deer in Massachusetts.
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What else do I need to legally hunt during the
Archery or Muzzleloader season?
In addition to a valid hunting or sporting license, a person must have
a valid archery stamp and/or primitive firearms stamp to hunt deer during
those seasons. The stamp(s) must be signed across the face in ink and
affixed to the back of the license. Electronic license buyers may purchase
stamps via the internet which are printed on the license. An antlerless
deer permit is also required for any hunter wishing to harvest an antlerless
deer during the archery and/or or muzzleloader season.
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Is it lawful to use a muzzleloading firearm
or a bow during the Shotgun season?
YES, provided you follow all regulations applicable to the shotgun season
(e.g. hunter orange).
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Is it lawful to use a bow during the Muzzleloader
season?
YES, however, a Primitive Firearms Stamp is required and muzzleloader
regulations apply.
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Is it lawful to use a muzzleloader during the
Archery season?
NO
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What is an antlerless deer?
A deer is defined as antlerless if it has no antlers or has antlers that
measure less than 3" in a straight line from the center of the anterior
(front) base of the antler burr to the tip.
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When am I required to use an antlerless deer
permit to harvest a deer?
An antlerless deer permit is required to harvest an antlerless deer in
ALL deer seasons (archery, shotgun, and muzzleloader). No one may harvest
an antlerless deer without an antlerless permit.
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What is the difference between an antlerless
deer permit and a deer tag?
An antlerless deer permit entitles the holder to take one antlerless deer
in the Wildlife Management Zone (WMZ) specified on the permit and is always
used with a valid deer tag. The deer tag functions as the temporary record
of kill, enabling the hunter to lawfully possess the deer for up to 48
hours prior to bringing it to a deer check station. Deer tags are attached
to the hunting or sporting license or are issued with and attached to
antlerless deer permits. For antlerless deer, the permit must always remain
in the possession of the hunter while the tag is affixed to the deer.
Both the permit and tag are surrendered at the check station when the
deer is registered and a metal seal is attached to a hind leg. For antlered
deer, only the tag attached to the deer is surrendered at the check station.
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Why does MassWildlife require ALL
deer hunters who wish to harvest an antlerless deer to possess a permit?
By requiring an antlerless deer permit for archers, shotgunners, and muzzleloaders
alike, MassWildlife gains a measure of control of the antlerless
kill for all seasons in all Wildlife Management Zones (WMZ). In recent years,
the archery and muzzleloader kill of antlerless deer has become increasingly
significant, particularly in some central and western DMZs, limiting
the effectiveness of reduced permit allocations during the Shotgun season.
With the ability to use permits to regulate the antlerless take during
all seasons, the agency is in a position to reduce or increase deer
densities in specific zones through the use of required permits.
With that added control, MassWildlife can offer increased opportunities
for all hunters, including bow hunters and muzzleloaders to pursue
their traditional passions without concern about over harvesting the female segment
of the deer population.
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Do I have to purchase a separate antlerless
deer permit for each deer season?
NO, Antlerless deer permits are not season specific. A permit can
be used during any deer season. A permit allows you to harvest one
antlerless deer in a specified WMZ.
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How many deer may I take during the seasons?
Two antlered deer and as many antlerless deer as you have valid permits
and tags.
The number of valid paper tags in a hunter's possession determines the
seasonal bag limit. Two ANTLERED ONLY tags are attached to your hunting/sporting
license and each antlerless deer permit has a tag attached.
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How many deer can I take during one day?
You may take up to 2 deer in a single day without having to check the
first deer, provided you possess the necessary tags and/or permits. However,
all deer must be taken to a check station within 48 hours.
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If I possess an antlerless deer permit, does
this allow me to harvest an antlerless deer anywhere in the state?
NO, antlerless deer permits are WMZ specific. Every antlerless
deer permit comes with an attached tag. This tag allows the hunter to
harvest one antlerless deer in the specified WMZ.
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How can I obtain an antlerless deer permit?
Antlerless deer permits may be obtained via an annual drawing and/or
by purchasing surplus permits (if available) following the drawing. Please
note that the deadline for applying for the annual drawing is July 16,
and you must follow all of the instructions associated with your traditional
"paper" license or online license. (Note: Paper license buyers
must complete and mail the permit application attached to the license.
Online license buyers must apply via the MassOutdoors system. Paper license
buyers CANNOT use the MassOutdoors system to apply for the permit drawing
or to purchase surplus permits.)
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How many antlerless deer permits may I lawfully
possess?
There is no limit on the number of antlerless deer permits a hunter may
possess in a given year as long as the permit quota for that WMZ has not
been filled. Once the quota is reached, sales will stop for that WMZ.
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In what zones may I possess more than one
antlerless deer permit?
A hunter may possess multiple permits in any WMZ's in which surplus permits
are available for sale over the counter.
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When will permits be available over-the-counter;
what is their cost; and where will they be sold?
Over the counter sales of permits will begin October 11, 2005. The cost
is $5.00/permit. Permits are sold in MassWildlife's Westborough, Acton,
West Boylston, Bourne, Pittsfield, and Belchertown offices. (Note: Again
this year permits will be sold at Myles Standish State Forest the first
few days in place of the Bourne office). Hunters will be allowed to purchase
one permit per zone per day in all WMZ's that have surplus permits available.
Call the MassWildlife office you plan to visit for office hours. Once
the quota is reached, permit sales for that zone will stop. Hunters must
present their original license to the MassWildlife staff selling permits.
Carbon copies or photocopies of licenses will not be accepted. A
person may bring the original license(s) of other hunter's and purchase
permits for them. Electronic license buyers are encouraged to purchase
additional permits online at MassOutdoors.
What permits are available over-the-counter?
The Zones for which permits will be available over-the-counter will be
announced at the mid-end of September.
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I already possess an antlerless deer permit
from the drawing. Can I purchase a second permit for that same zone?
Yes, but only if it is still available over the counter. Deer hunters
will only be allowed to purchase 1 permit/WMZ/day in all WMZ's that have
permits available after the drawing. Hunters must present their original
license to the MassWildlife staff selling permits. Carbon copies and/or
photocopies of licenses will not be accepted. Individuals may bring
the original license(s) of another and purchase permits for them.
On-line Antlerless Deer Permit sales to MassOutdoors license buyers
Hunters who purchased a hunting or sporting license through the Internet
on the MassOutdoors site will again be able to purchase surplus permits
online. Hunters may purchase ONE permit/WMZ/day. The number of permits
allocated for sale through MassOutdoors will be proportional to the total
number of applications received prior to the deadline.
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May I purchase a permit for someone else?
YES. A person may bring the original license(s) of other hunter's and
purchase permits for them. The hunter's license will be clearly marked
to indicate that a permit(s) was purchased over-the-counter and for which
WMZ(s).
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How do I know which deer tag to use once I
harvest a deer?
- If you harvest an ANTLERED deer (buck), you must use one
of the tags attached to your license to tag the deer. It does not
matter what Zone you are in.
- If you harvest an ANTLERLESS deer(doe, or buck with antlers
less than 3"), you must use the tag attached to your WMZ-specific
antlerless deer permit. Do not use the tag attached
to your hunting/sporting license and do not use a tag
from an antlerless deer permit for a different DMZ.
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I plan to participate in the Quabbin Hunt,
are deer harvested in the Quabbin considered part of the statewide
bag limit?
ANTLERED DEER harvested in the Quabbin ARE considered
part of the statewide bag limit.
ANTLERLESS DEER harvested in the Quabbin ARE NOT considered
part of the statewide bag limit.
If you harvest an antlered deer during the Quabbin controlled hunt you
would use one of the "ANTLERED ONLY" tags attached to your hunting
or sporting license to tag the deer. If you harvest an antlerless deer
during the Quabbin hunt you would use the tag attached to your QUABBIN
ANTLERLESS DEER PERMIT to tag the deer. The Quabbin antlerless
deer permits are only valid for the Quabbin controlled hunt. When
you hunt the Quabbin do not use WMZ-specific antlerless deer
permits issued by MassWildlife. Click for more information
on the Quabbin
controlled hunt, or contact the Dept of Conservation and Recreation's
Divison of Watershed Supply in Belchertown at 413/323-7221.
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What type of firearm is lawful during the
Muzzleloading season?
A shoulder-fired muzzleloader .44 to .775 caliber. Barrel length must
be 18 or more inches with only one barrel operative. In-line ignition
systems are permitted providing the rifle loads from the muzzle and does not
have a break-open or hinge action (like a single-barrel shotgun). Buckshot
is prohibited. Only single projectile ammunition is permitted. Sabot
rounds are legal. Powder is limited to black powder or approved substitutes.
Scopes and 209 primers are legal.
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Questions? Comments? Contact: MassWildlife at Mass.Wildlife@state.ma.us
Date
Last Updated:
September 14, 2006
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