2025 Application Period Now Open
Applications open between August 5 and September 27
In light of DCR’s commitment to long-term deer management in the Blue Hills and in order to continue the successful efforts undertaken between 2015 and 2025, DCR and MassWildlife will continue to implement controlled hunting in Blue Hills in 2025.
The 2025 permitted archery hunt will take place in in designated areas of the Reservation, Monday through Thursdays between November 3 through November 26, there will be no hunting on Thursday, November 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Applicants selected to participate in the hunt will be notified via email with further information and instruction to complete a virtual orientation.
Thank you for your interest in DCR’s Deer Management Program for Blue Hills Reservation.
General Rules & Provisions for the 2025 Controlled Hunt:
You must possess a valid 2025 Massachusetts Hunting or Sporting License BEFORE you apply.
You are only allowed to submit one (1) application for archery hunting. Please do not attempt to submit more than one application.
Applications for the permitted archery hunt only allow for one (1) applicant.
If you are selected to participate, you will be permitted to hunt during any/all of the fifteen (15) days in which archery hunting will be allowed.
If you are under the age of 18 and are selected to participate in the hunt, you will be required to be accompanied by an adult over the age of 21 who is also a registered hunter possessing a valid 2025 Massachusetts Hunting or Sporting License. The accompanying adult must complete the mandatory orientation and will not be allowed to hunt unless the adult also applied and was selected to be a participant in the 2025 Blue Hills Deer Hunt.
What you need to apply
All applicants must possess a valid 2025 Massachusetts Hunting or Sporting License before applying.
Licensed archery hunters must complete and submit the online application to DCR.
DCR will conduct a random lottery to select up to 250 archery hunters to receive DCR access permits.
The 2025 permitted archery hunt will take place in designated areas of Blue Hills Reservation, Monday through Thursdays between November 3 and November 26, there will be no hunting on November 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Fees
Application is free of charge. Selected hunters will be required to purchase a minimum of 2 Wildlife Management Zone 10 and/or Zone 11 Antlerless Deer Permits to participate in the hunt.
Application Instructions:
Please type carefully and make sure all of the information you enter is accurate and correct.
You must complete ALL SECTIONS of the application. Do not skip any items. Be sure to include the area code with your phone number. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed or included in the application pool.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Permitted Archery in 2025 will only be allowed MONDAYS THROUGH THURSDAYS, NOVEMBER 3 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26. There will be no hunting on Thursday, November 27, 2025 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Applicants will receive follow up information via email. As such, please be sure that you have entered your email address correctly.