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Blue Hills Deer Management Program

The Blue Hills Deer Management Program is part of DCR’s long-term effort to manage high deer densities within the Blue Hills Reservation. The primary objective and rationale for implementing a deer management program is to maintain an ecologically sustainable deer density that allows for the continuous growth and development of forest regeneration. In particular, DCR wishes to reduce the negative impacts that high deer densities have on the regenerating forest to ensure a healthy forest composed of adequate diversity of species and age classes.

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2026 Hunting Program

Archery Only Hunt – Application Open August 3-September 20, 2026

The 2026 Blue Hills Deer Management Permitted Archery Hunt will take place Monday through Thursdays, November 2 through November 25. There will be no hunting on Thanksgiving, November 26, 2026. 

Licensed hunters are encourage to apply to participate in this year's controlled archery hunt. The application is open August 3, 2026 through September 20, 2026.

2026 Blue Hills Controlled Archery Hunt Application

Additional Resources

Open PNG file, 1.39 MB,  Blue Hills Controlled Hunt Archery Map (English, PNG 1.39 MB)

2026 Hunter Frequently Asksed Questions

What kinds of hunting implements are hunters allowed to use?

  • Bow and arrow 
  • Crossbows allowed for hunters with a valid crossbow permit issued by MassWildlife.

Is there an application fee?

There is no application fee.

What documentation do I need to apply?

All applicants must have a valid 2026 Massachusetts Hunting or Sporting License and an archery stamp issued by MassWildlife. 

Additionally, selected participants must possess at least two Antlerless Deer Permits for Wildlife Management Zones 10 and/or 11.

Which Wildlife Management Zone(s) do I purchase Antlerless Deer Permits for?

Refer to the Blue Hills Deer Management Plan and 2026 Hunting Area Map to see which hunting areas are in Zones 10 and 11. Most hunting areas are in Zone 10.


Zone 10 Hunting Areas:    

Fowl Meadow, Little Blue, Great Blue, Brookwood Farm, Unquity Tract, Houghton's Pond, Lower Houghton's Pond Tract, Chickatawbut, Wampatuck

Zone 11 Hunting Areas:

Ponkapoag, Nike Site, Braintree Site

If I participated in the controlled hunt in previous years, do I need to complete the orientation again this year?

Yes. All hunters are required to complete an orientation annually to receive their access permits. 

Can individuals under the age of 18 who possess a valid MA minor hunting license apply to participate?

Yes. If selected, any licensed hunter under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 21 who is also duly licensed. The accompanying adult must attend the mandatory orientation session and be permitted for the 2026 Blue Hills Deer Hunt.

Will DCR notify me if I am selected?

Yes, DCR will notify selected hunters via email. Applicants who are not selected will not receive any further communication from DCR regarding their application. 

Will hunters be able to apply in groups? (As is done at Quabbin Reservation)

No. Applications for the archery hunt will allow for only 1 applicant at a time. 

How many hunters will be selected? How many days will hunters be allowed to hunt?

  • Up to 250 hunters may be selected and issued DCR Permits to participate in the hunt 
  • Permitted hunters may hunt on any/all of the 15 days of the hunt

Will selected hunters be allowed to hunt anywhere in the Blue Hills Reservation?

No. DCR has designated specific areas of the Reservation where archery hunting will be allowed. Hunters must review the 2026 Blue Hills Deer Management Plan and the 2026 Hunting Area Map to see where hunting is allowed. 

Are selected participants permitted to hunt any game species other than deer?

No, participants may only hunt white-tailed deer, as this program focuses on deer management efforts. 

Participating hunters should prioritize the harvest of antlerless deer and are strongly encouraged to harvest as many deer as they have valid permits/tags for.

Context & Need for Deer Management

From the canopy to the understory, healthy forest ecosystems are made up of trees and plants of multiple species and age classes and the diversity of vegetation provides suitable and sustainable habitat for a rich and varied wildlife community. Forests that contain significantly high deer populations are vulnerable to excessive over-browse of young trees, shrubs, plants and other ground-cover. This excessive over-browse results in considerable negative impacts to overall forest health; including:

  • reduced diversity in native plant and tree species (as deer leave behind only those species they prefer not to eat);
  • increased spread of invasive plants that are resistant to deer browse;
  • loss of tree species that serve as the next generation of tree canopy;
  • increased susceptibility to environmental stresses, such as insect pests, severe weather-related disturbances, and climate change; and
  • the destruction of vital habitat for insects, ground-nesting birds, and other wildlife.

Forests in Massachusetts are able to sustain deer densities below 20 deer/mi2. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) also promotes a statewide deer management goal of 6 to 18 deer/mi2. Several deer abundance surveys conducted over the last seven years by DCR and MassWildlife found that the Blue Hills Reservation contains deer densities in excess of this sustainable threshold. While some areas of the Blue Hills have higher densities than others, the overall density estimate for the Reservation based on 2023 pellet count surveys exceeds 26 deer/mi2. Details and results of deer abundance surveying in the Blue Hills can be found below.

Blue Hills Deer Management Plans

Deer Abundance & Annual Program Reports

Additional Resources

2026 Blue Hills Permitted Archery Hunt Areas

Blue Hills Reservation 2016 Vegetation Survey Report

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