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Deer Hunting FAQs
- What type of license do I need to hunt deer in Massachusetts?
- What else do I need to legally hunt during the Archery or Muzzleloader season?
- Is it lawful to use a muzzleloading firearm or a bow during the Shotgun season?
- Is it lawful to use a bow during the Muzzleloader season?
- Is it lawful to use a muzzleloader during the Archery season?
- What type of firearm is lawful during the Muzzleloading season?
- What is an antlerless deer?
- When am I required to use an antlerless deer permit to harvest a deer?
- What is the difference between an antlerless deer permit and a deer tag?
- Why does MassWildlife now require ALL deer hunters who wish to harvest an antlerless deer to possess a permit?
- How many antlerless permits are available in the state this year?
- Do I have to purchase a separate antlerless deer permit for each deer season?
- How many deer may I take during the seasons?
- How many deer can I take during one day?
- If I possess an antlerless deer permit, does this allow me to harvest an antlerless deer anywhere in the state?
- How can I obtain an antlerless deer permit?
- How many antlerless deer permits may I lawfully possess?
- In what zones may I possess more than one antlerless deer permit?
- When will permits be available over-the-counter; what is their cost; and where will they be sold?
- What permits are available over-the-counter?
- I already possess an antlerless deer permit. Can I purchase a second permit for that same zone?
- What do I need to purchase an Over-the-Counter antlerless deer permit?
- May I purchase a permit for someone else?
- I plan to participate in the Quabbin Hunt, are
deer harvested in the Quabbin considered part of the statewide
bag limit?
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.
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.
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).
Is it lawful to use a bow during the Muzzleloader
season?
YES, however, a Primitive Firearms Stamp is required and muzzleloader
regulations apply.
Is it lawful to use a muzzleloader during
the Archery season?
NO
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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 6, 2008. The cost
is $5.00/permit. Permits are sold in MassWildlife's Westborough, Acton,
West Boylston, Bourne, Pittsfield, and Belchertown offices. (Note: Permits
will be sold at Myles Standish State Forest the first few days in place
of the Bourne office).
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.
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.
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).
How do I know which deer tag to use once I harvest a deer?
- If you harvest an ANTLERED deer (buck with antlers 3" or longer), 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.
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
Reservoir, or contact the Dept of Conservation and Recreation's
Divison of Watershed Supply in Belchertown at 413/323-7221.
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.