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Hunting Deer in Massachusetts

Find regulations for licenses, permits, and reporting, as well as deer harvest data and tips for hunters.

To manage the size of Massachusetts' deer population, MassWildlife regulates hunting during 3 distinct seasons using 15 wildlife management zones. Right now, we estimate that there are more than 100,000 deer across the state. The Fisheries and Wildlife Board oversees changes to the hunting seasons, bag limits, and antlerless deer permit numbers.

What would you like to do?

Top tasks

View deer hunting regulations and dates  Buy a surplus Antlerless Deer Permit 

All other tasks

Apply for an Antlerless Deer Permit  Get your Youth Deer Hunt Permit  Learn about the Blue Hills Deer Hunt  Report your deer harvest  Learn about the Quabbin Reservation Deer Hunt   Buy a surplus Anterless Deer Permit 
See all 9 of the what would you like to do section 

What you need to know

Deer harvest data  Youth Deer Hunt Day  Deer hunt for paraplegic hunters  Hunting licenses, permits, and stamps  Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) 

More Information

Related Services

Additional Resources

Results from annual Massachusetts hunter survey
Massachusetts General Laws: Inland Fisheries and Game
Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR)
2020 Massachusetts Fishing and Hunting Guide (PDF 9.62 MB)
Wildlife management zone map (PDF 625.07 KB)
Image credits:  MassWildlife
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