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Participate in the Camp Edwards controlled hunting program

Camp Edwards, located in Sandwich and Bourne, allows deer and turkey hunting. If you’re interested in hunting on this property, you need to pre-register and follow guidelines for the hunt.
You must pre-register for the deer hunt by October 1. You must pre-register for the turkey hunt by April 1.

Contacts

MassWildlife

Phone

Call MassWildlife at (508) 389-6300

Open M–F, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (closed noon–12:30 for lunch)

Online

email Email MassWildlife at Mass.Wildlife@mass.gov
websites MassWildlife Homepage 
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The Details   of Participate in the Camp Edwards controlled hunting program

What you need   for Participate in the Camp Edwards controlled hunting program

Each year, sections of Camp Edwards on Joint Base Cape Cod are open to deer hunting in the fall and turkey hunting in the spring. About 11,000 acres of this active military training area are open to hunting. However, access is strictly controlled. You must pre-register to participate in the hunt. You will only hear back if you are denied access for the hunt. You'll need to check in daily to show your credentials and receive a daily permit when hunting on the base.

2024 controlled hunt dates:

  • Youth Turkey Hunt: Saturday, April 27
  • Spring Turkey Hunt: Monday, May 6 – Saturday, May 11
  • Youth Deer Scouting: Friday, September 27 (Scouting hours 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., check in/out at Range Control)
  • Youth Deer Hunt: Saturday, September 28
  • Paraplegic Deer Hunt: Thursday, October 31 – Saturday, November 2
  • Archery Deer Scouting: Wednesday, November 6 – Thursday, November 7 (Scouting hours 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., check in/out at Range Control)
  • Archery Deer Hunt: Thursday, November 14 – Saturday, November 16
  • Military/First Responders Deer Hunt: Friday, December 6
    This hunt is open to active duty/retired military personnel and active duty/retired first responders: police, fire and EMS personnel. NOTE: All hunters must possess a valid/current/not expired ID card to show proof of eligibility.
  • Shotgun Deer Hunt: Monday, December 9 – Saturday, December 14
  • Muzzleloader Deer Hunt: Wednesday, December 18 – Thursday, December 19

Hunters will be issued one-time use daily paper passes for each day that they participate in the hunt and must return to the check-in building to check out at the end of the hunting day (you cannot turn in someone else's pass, you must do it in person).

 

Liability Release Required

Liability Release Form. This form must be filled out to participate in the hunt. To save time at check-in, please print out the document and fill it out and bring with you on the first day you go to check in for the hunt. 

Eligibility

To hunt on the base, you must have a Massachusetts hunting license and complete a pre-registration form every year. You’ll be subject to a background check. Permission to hunt is determined by the base commander.

You must have a firearms identification card or license to carry if you'll be hunting with shotguns or primitive firearms. You must provide a photo ID if you'll be using archery equipment.

How to register   Participate in the Camp Edwards controlled hunting program

If you want to participate in both the turkey and deer hunts, you only need to complete 1 pre-registration form. You must pre-register annually.

You can complete the form to register for the Camp Edwards hunt online.

  • You must pre-register for the turkey hunt by April 1.
  • You much pre-register for the deer hunt by October 1.

Mail or deliver completed Camp Edwards hunt registration forms to:

MassWildlife Southeast District Office
Camp Edwards Controlled Hunt
195 Bournedale Road
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532

 

 

Next steps   for Participate in the Camp Edwards controlled hunting program

On the day of the hunt

Liability Release Form. This form must be filled out to participate in the hunt. To save time at check-in, please print out the document and fill it out and bring with you on the first day you go to check in for the hunt. 

  • There is a limit of 500 hunters allowed on the base at any time. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Hunters must comply with state hunting laws and regulations, including the blaze orange requirement for firearms deer seasons.
  • The hunter check-in station opens at 5 a.m. for deer hunts and 4:30 a.m. for turkey hunts.
  • You must enter the base from the Route 28 (General MacArthur Boulevard) rotary. Follow signs on Connery Avenue to access the check-in station.
  • During check-in, your identification, licenses, stamps, and FID or LTC cards (if applicable) will be checked. You will also be asked to complete a liability form.
  • You’ll also receive information about hunting on the base during check-in.
  • After successfully completing the check-in process, you’ll be given a 1 day hunting permit and vehicle access permit.
  • You must return these permits no later than ½ hour after the end of legal hunting hours.
  • Successful hunters must report their harvest at the check-in station.
  • Failure to comply with all rules and regulations will result in the loss of hunting privileges. 
  • Directions to the Hunt Check-In Building at Camp Edwards
    From the north: Cross the Cape Cod Canal at the Bourne Bridge and follow Route 28 (General MacArthur Blvd.) south to the Joint Base Cape Cod Rotary. Take the 3rd exit off the rotary onto Connery Ave. and take an almost immediate left across the paved cut through in the median and proceed straight across the other side of Connery Ave. and through the open gate onto a gravel access road that proceeds to the north underneath the powerlines. Follow the gravel road for ~0.38 miles to the check in station. Click here to view a map.
  • Directions for access on scouting days
    Proceed from the J Base Cape Cod rotary onto Connery Ave. and follow Connery to the main access gate, where you will stop and be checked by security (have driver’s license and hunting license ready). Explain to the guard that you are there to scout for hunting. You will then proceed through the gate and drive directly to the Range Operations Building to check in. To get to the range operations building, continue on Connery Ave. for ~0.6 miles and turn left onto Frank Perkins Rd.  Follow Frank Perkins Rd. for ~2.8 miles north to the Range Control Building (NOTE: There will be a turn to the left at ~2.7 miles to stay on the paved Frank Perkins Rd. Do not proceed straight at that point onto the gravel/bluestone road/Gibbs Rd.)      Click here to view a map.

Downloads   for Participate in the Camp Edwards controlled hunting program

Open PDF file, 494.99 KB,  Camp Edwards controlled hunt pre-registration form 2024 (English, PDF 494.99 KB)

Contact   for Participate in the Camp Edwards controlled hunting program

Phone
Call MassWildlife at (508) 389-6300

Open M–F, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (closed noon–12:30 for lunch)

Online
email Email MassWildlife at Mass.Wildlife@mass.gov
websites MassWildlife Homepage 
MassWildlife Facebook 
MassWildlife Instagram 

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