Blue Hills Deer Management Rules for Archery Hunt

All permittees are required to know and understand the information contained in this document. Please review and read this document carefully and thoroughly prior to attending your assigned hunter orientation.

Selected permittees who violate any rules or regulations will be immediately removed from the property, ineligible for participation in future years, and subject to any relevant fines or penalties prescribed by applicable state laws and/or regulations. 

General Rules & Provisions for the 2025 Blue Hills Permitted Archery Hunt

1. Hunting by Access Permit Only: Hunting of white-tailed deer shall be allowed in designated areas of the Blue Hills Reservation by those persons holding an access permit issued by the DCR. All persons to whom such a permit has been issued are also required to have a valid 2025 Massachusetts Hunting/Sporting License issued by MassWildlife.  DCR-issued access permits are valid only for the person named on the permit and for the date/time period specified on the permit.
2. Organization & Timing: The 2025 Blue Hills Permitted Archery Hunt will take place over the course of fifteen (15) days on Mondays through Thursdays from November 3 through 26.   There will be no hunting allowed on Thursday, November 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. In accordance with state hunting regulations, hunters will be allowed to start hunting one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.  Access permits for archery hunting are valid on all days in which archery hunting is allowed. Permitted hunters are allowed to hunt up to a total of fifteen (15) days.
3. Hunter Distribution: All permitted hunters will be allowed to hunt in any of the designated management areas throughout the reservation.  The boundaries of the management zones have been delineated using not only the existing state firearms discharge setback laws, but also hard boundary delineations such as trails, roads, and pathways. All permittees are required to know the boundaries of their management zone and the management areas within each zone. All hunters should be respectful of other archery hunters already hunting in a certain area to avoid over-crowding. Absolutely no hunting or release of an arrow is allowed outside of the delineated boundaries.
4. General Hunting & Discharge Prohibitions: No hunting or release of an arrow is allowed outside of the boundaries of the designated management areas, within 500 feet of any building or dwelling, within 150 feet of any roadway, or in any area posted as a no hunt zone.
5. Hunter Orientation Required: All permittees are required to complete the hunter orientation in order to be allowed to participate in the Blue Hills Permitted Archery Hunt. Selected hunters who do not fulfill the hunter orientation requirement will not receive a permit and will not be eligible to participate in the controlled hunt.
6. Deer Hunting Only: The Blue Hills Permitted Archery Hunt is restricted to white-tailed deer only. The hunting or injury of any other bird or animal species is strictly prohibited.
7. Hunting Implements: Pursuant to 321 CMR 3.01(3), permitted archery hunters are allowed to hunt with a bow and arrows of the type and design specified for the hunting of deer. Crossbows may be used by permit only in accordance with 321 CMR 3.01(3).
8. Scouting: Permitted archery hunters are allowed to scout the designated management areas beginning once they receive their access permit.  Starting November 4, permitted hunters are allowed to scout on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only.  The use of trail/game cameras for the purpose of scouting is prohibited. In addition, scouting will not be allowed on those days in which archery hunting is actually taking place. No scouting is allowed after Sunday, November 17. While scouting, permittees are required to have the following on their person:
   • DCR Notice of Selection
   • 2025 Massachusetts Hunting/Sporting License
   • Valid Photo ID

9. Tree Stands: Permittees are allowed to use tree stands while participating in the permitted archery hunt. Permittees may use multiple tree stands. Tree stands must be either a climbing tree stand or a hang-on tree stand with climbing sticks (please be sure to bring the bottom section of the climbing sticks with you on the days in which you hunt).  Hunters will be allowed to keep their tree stands in the forest if they wish.  Archery hunters may install tree stands beginning October 27, 2025. All tree stands must be removed by 6:00 PM on November 26, 2025.  The installation of a tree stand does not entitle a hunter to a particular area of the Reservation. Hunters possessing a permit may hunt in any area within the boundaries of the designated archery hunting zones.

   In accordance with DCR’s regulations at 302 CMR 12.11 (10), the installation of a permanent tree stand is not allowed. Permanent tree stands are defined as a type of hunting platform or structure (emplaced for any period of time) which is fastened to a tree by nails, bolts, wire or other fasteners which intrude through the bark into the wood of the tree. 

10. Hunting Blinds: The use of on-the-ground hunting blinds is prohibited.
11. Vegetation Cutting: Cutting of branches, trees, or shrubs is prohibited.
12. Minor Permittees: Any permittee selected to participate in archery hunting who is also under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 21 years while hunting. The accompanying adult must also be a registered hunter possessing a valid 2025 Massachusetts Hunting/Sporting License. The accompanying adult must complete an orientation (with the minor permittee) and will not be allowed to hunt unless the accompanying adult is also permitted for the 2025 Blue Hills Deer Hunt.
13. Antlerless Permits: All hunters selected to participate must purchase at least two (2) antlerless permits. Hunters may use Zone 10 and/or Zone 11 antlerless deer permits. Antlered deer will count toward the statewide bag limit of two (2) antlered deer.
14. Parking & Vehicular Access: Permitted hunters are not allowed to park their vehicles along the sides of Route 24 or I-93. In addition, vehicular access is prohibited on the Reservation’s trails. Permittees should make use of designated parking areas.
15. Hunter Check-In/Check-Out: For the 2025 permitted archery hunt, each hunter is asked to check in each day by texting their MA Wildlife Customer ID# to 617-874-6278.  Hunters may go directly to their management zone on days in which they decide to hunt.   There is no check out.

16. Documentation: While hunting, all permittees must have the following on their person:

    • DCR Blue Hills Controlled Hunt Access Permit
    • MassWildlife Blue Hills Antlerless Deer Permits
    • 2025 Massachusetts Hunting/Sporting License and Archery Stamp
    • Valid Photo ID

    Failure to provide any of these documents while hunting may disqualify a permittee from participating in the hunt.

17. Deer Tracking: Permittees are prohibited from tracking any wounded deer onto private property or a roadway. If you wound a deer and it crosses onto private property, use the phone number printed on your access permit to contact DCR. If needed, an Environmental Police Officer may meet you at your location and accompany you onto private land to search for the deer. Tracking deer is only allowed during permitted hunting hours. Call 617-874-6278 if you are unable to track a deer on the same day it was wounded.
18. Deer Cleaning: Permittees who harvest a deer are required to move the deer at least 100 feet away from a trail for the purposes of gutting and cleaning the deer. Harvested deer must be legally tagged prior to moving. To the greatest extent possible, permittees are encouraged to select areas that are generally out of view for the disposal of deer parts.
19. Deer Removal & Check Station: Permittees who harvest a deer must first legally tag the deer and then are responsible for transporting the deer to their vehicle (may not be concealed from view). There will be no deer check station set up in the Blue Hills during the archery hunt. As such, any permittee who harvests a deer is required to check the harvested deer online through the MassFishHunt website. In addition, DCR will provide permittees with a link to a DCR website where hunters must report each harvested deer directly to DCR. A separate online form must be completed and submitted to DCR for each harvested deer.
20. Compliance with Rules & Requests: All permittees within the Blue Hills Reservation shall obey the directions of posted regulatory signs, any state or local law enforcement official, Environmental Police Officer, DCR Ranger, DCR employee, and MassWildlife employee.
21. Carry In – Carry Out: No litter or refuse of any sort may be thrown or left in or on any land or water within the Blue Hills Reservation while hunting.
22. Conduct & Alcohol/Controlled Substances: Any form of disorderly conduct is strictly prohibited during the controlled hunt. Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, marijuana, or any other controlled substance while participating in the controlled hunt is strictly prohibited.
23. Pets & Animals: Permittees may not bring any pets or other animals with them during the controlled hunt.
24. Property Damage/Vandalism: DCR is not responsible for any damage or vandalism to a permittee’s property, vehicle, tree stand, or other possessions.
25. MassWildlife Rules & Regulations: Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife rules and regulations related to hunting shall apply to the Blue Hills Reservation Permitted Archery Hunt. In the event of a conflict, the Blue Hills Permitted Archery Hunt rules and provisions take precedence over the rules and regulations of MassWildlife.
26. Cancellation: The permitted archery hunt (in its entirety or specific dates) may be cancelled at any time due to severe weather conditions or security situations. In the case of cancellation, DCR will make all efforts to provide advance notice to permittees.

In order to finalize your permit and confirm your spot for the 15 day controlled archery hunt in the Blue Hills Reservation from November 3 through November 26, 2025, please answer the questions below. Also, for your safety, we ask that you provide emergency contact information. Thank you for your cooperation. Good luck at the hunt.