Find out about hunting on DCR Division of Water Supply Protection property in the Quabbin Reservoir and Wachusett Reservoir watersheds.
The Quabbin Reservoir, Ware River, Wachusett Reservoir, and Sudbury Reservoir watersheds provide drinking water to 3 million people. The goal of DCR’s Division of Water Supply Protection (DWSP) deer hunt programs is to reduce the impacts of deer browsing in these four watersheds in order to have a healthy, resilient, diverse forest that continuously protects water quality in the drinking water supply for over 3 million people.
Hunting permits are required for hunting on DWSP’s properties. Applications and details for each watershed are available on the links below. Permit applications will be available on July 1, 2022. There is NO fee for this permit. Hunters must apply for a permit online and provide a valid email address. In addition, hunters must possess a valid 2022 Massachusetts Hunting License.
Please click below for additional details and permit applications for a particular watershed.