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Hunting & Shooting Opportunities

This section provides specific places to hunt and shoot beyond the Places to Go area of the website. These hunting opportunities may be relatively new to hunters or require some kind of registration or permit.

Information about shooting ranges with public shooting hours or beginning hunting programs are also found here.

Hunting on State Forests, Reservations and Park Lands

Check the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) link that details state forests, reservations and parks open to hunting in the Bay State. Hunting is permitted in most state forests and parks. This link is a listing of many of the state parks and forests open to regulated hunting. You must contact the Forest and Parks phone number listed for that property to learn about any specific restrictions.

Hunting on DCR Wachusett Watershed Lands

Hunting is allowed on designated DCR Wachusett Watershed Lands in central Massachusetts by permit. Permit applications and a map of open lands for hunting may be obtained and dropped off at the DCR office in West Boylston. Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Water Supply Protection, Office of Watershed Management, 180 Beaman Street West Boylston, MA 01583. Permits will be mailed to hunters. There is no fee for the permit and the permit is valid for 5 years. Hunting Permit applications are available.

Archery Hunting at Templeton Development Center

The Department of Mental Retardation (DMR), Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) have worked together to provide a bowhunting-only opportunity for turkey and deer during the fall at DMR's Templeton Developmental Center (TDC). Through legislation and a Memorandum of Agreement between DMR and DCR, a Cooperative Management Plan for TDC property has been developed delegating certain land management responsibilities to DCR while ensuring the well-being and rights of TDC residents. Property beyond the TDC campus and agricultural fields, and otherwise not utilized by TDC residents, is being managed cooperatively to benefit both natural resources and the public. The hunting activity being permitted is also designed to address high deer and turkey densities and the related agricultural damage these species have caused. (Fall only)

Camp Edwards (Massachusetts Military Reservation/Otis Air Force Base) Controlled Deer and Turkey Hunts on Cape Cod

New for 2009--Please note that the following change has been made to the pre-registration process for the Camp Edwards controlled deer hunting program. Hunters who have pre-registered for and/or participated in the controlled deer hunting program at Camp Edwards within the previous five calendar years (2004-2008) are not required to fill out and submit a pre-registration form to participate in the hunt. Hunters who have not pre-registered and/or participated during that time period (or those that are unsure if they have) must fill out the registration form and send it to the MassWildlife Southeast District Office by November 1.

Registration Form for Deer Hunt at Camp Edwards

2009 Deer Hunting Dates

Archery: Nov. 18 (Wed.) - Nov. 21 (Sat.)
Shotgun: Nov. 30 (Mon.) - Dec. 5 (Sat.)
Muzzleloader: Dec. 16 (Wed.) - Dec. 19 (Sat.)

There is a limit of 500 hunters allowed on the base at any one time and space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Deer hunters are reminded that a valid Firearms Identification Card or License to Carry is required by MMR to hunt Camp Edwards/Otis during the shotgun and muzzleloader seasons. A valid photo ID is required for the archery season. Specific details about the hunt are found on the registration form. Permission to hunt at Camp Edwards is at the discretion of the Base Commander.

For further information, contact the MassWildlife Southeast District Office at (508) 759-3406.

Attention prospective Camp Edwards hunters. Please review the following brief presentation on Unexploded Ordnance (UXO's) and your safety. Portions of the hunting area at Camp Edwards may contain UXO's from former military training operations. This presentation will help you learn how to identify UXO's and explain the proper procedures for keeping yourself and friends safe.

Directions to the Otis Fish and Game Club check-in:

From the north: Take Route 3 south to the Sagamore Rotary, then take Route 6 west to the Buzzards Bay Rotary, cross the Cape Cod Canal and take Route 28 south to the Massachusetts Military Reservation Rotary. At the Massachusetts Military Reservation rotary, take the base entrance road, Connery Avenue (inbound), then take the first left, and then left onto Connery Avenue (Outbound). The next right is the unpaved access road to the Otis Fish and Game Club. Follow the dirt road until you see the Otis Fish and Game Club building. Google Map

Quabbin Deer Hunt Application & Information

Applications are available at Quabbin and DFW offices after July 1 each year as well as on the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) web page. DCR Water Supply Division staff reminds prospective applicants that regardless of the type of firearm used, all applicants must have a valid FID card to be eligible to apply for this hunting opportunity.Deadline for submission of applications is August 16. Call the Quabbin Visitor's Center at (413) 323-7221 for more information.

Eastern Mass. National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Application Website for Hunting Permit Applications -- Limited hunting permits are available for hunting the Oxbow , Assabet, and Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuges. The application period for the 2009-2010 hunting season opened on July 1 and will close at 4pm on July 31, 2009. A new permitting process is in place. Please pay close attention to these changes. If you have any questions BEFORE sending in your application, call the Refuge Headquarters in Sudbury at 978-443-4661.

Hard copies of applications are also available at the refuge kiosks, and the refuge headquarters located at 73 Weir Hill Road, Sudbury, MA on Monday thru Friday between 8am – 4pm. The US Fish and Wildlife Service strongly reccomends applying on-line and will not mailing application to prospective hunters.

Information on where hunting is allowed, hunt regulations and maps (924 kb)

Eastern MA NWR Complex Website

Young Adult Pheasant Hunt Program

The Young Adult Pheasant Hunt Program was developed to:

provide interested young adults with an opportunity to practice skills (learned in the Hunter Education course) in a program that includes shotgun shooting, pre-hunt field practicum and culminating in a pheasant hunt while supervised by responsible, licensed adult hunters in an enjoyable environment.
provide local sporting clubs who want to pass on the traditions of hunting and the great outdoors with tools and guidance in implementing a successful young adult hunting experience.

Young Adult Turkey Hunt Program

The Young Adult Turkey Hunt Program was developed to:

provide interested young adults with an opportunity to practice skills (learned in the Hunter Education course) in a program that includes shotgun shooting, pre-hunt field practicum and culminating in a turkey hunt while supervised by responsible, licensed adult hunters in an enjoyable environment.
provide local sporting clubs who want to pass on the traditions of hunting and the great outdoors with tools and guidance in implementing a successful young adult hunting experience.

Becoming an Outdoorswoman Program (BOW)

Shooting skills workshops, hunting seminars and hunts designed for adult women who are novice hunters are scheduled throughout the year. Check the workshop schedule for hunting skills related sessions.

Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp

A two-week overnight outdoor skills camp for teens 13-17 who are interested in the outdoors. Shooting sports are a big part of the curriculum, with teens learning to shoot handguns, shotguns, rifles as well as bow and arrows and muzzleloaders.

Shooting Range Development, Enhancement and Public Access

A listing of sporting clubs providing public access to shooting ranges through a grant program funded by MassWildlife's Hunter Education Program.

Paraplegic Season for Deer Hunters

The 2008 dates for this deer hunt by paraplegic hunters are October 30-November 1.