What is a Farmer/Landowner permit?
To hunt deer, turkey, or bear on your property without a hunting license, you must apply for a Farmer/Landowner permit. If issued, the Farmer/Landowner permit allows farmers domiciled on the property, members of their immediate family (defined as son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, father, or spouse) residing on the property, or lessees/tenants residing on the property to hunt on that approved property during the legal hunting seasons. Those issued a Farmer/Landowner permit must follow all regulations including seasons, bag limits, reporting, and implements. All species harvested under this permit must be reported online through MassFishHunt or at an official check station.
The Farmer/Landowner permit entitles the holder to the following tags and permits to be used only on the approved property during the species' hunting season:
- 2 Antlered Deer Tags
- 1 Antlerless Deer Permit (additional ADPs can be issued at MassWildlife District Offices to qualified farmers or landowners with approved property in Wildlife Management Zones with unlimited ADPs – Zones 10, 11, 13, 14)
- 1 Bear Permit
- 2 Spring Turkey Permits and 1 Fall Turkey Permit
Note: To hunt on any land other than the approved property, you must purchase a hunting license and the applicable permits. Whether you hunt only your property or hunt your property and other property, all statewide bag limits apply. For example, you may harvest no more than two antlered deer per season, but as many antlerless deer as you have permits for.
Who is eligible for a Farmer/Landowner permit?
Farmers
- Massachusetts farmers domiciled on the property where they derive at least 50% of total annual income from agricultural practices, members of their immediate family residing on the property, or lessees/tenants residing on the property may be eligible for a Farmer/Landowner permit. The income must be derived from the raising and selling of dairy cattle and products, beef cattle, poultry, sheep, swine, horses, ponies, mules, goats, bees, fruits, vegetables, berries, nuts, or other foods used directly or indirectly for human consumption, feed for animals, tobacco, flowers, sod, trees, nursery or greenhouse products, forest products, or ornamental plants and shrubs.
- All the land, exclusive of the legal safety zones, must not be posted and must be open without restriction to the public for hunting.
- Once approved, additional antlerless deer permits can be issued at MassWildlife District Offices to qualified farmers with approved property in Wildlife Management Zones with unlimited ADPs – Zones 10, 11, 13, 14.
- For the purposes of this permit, immediate family is defined as any child, parent, sibling, guardian, or spouse.
Landowners
- Massachusetts landowners domiciled on their property of 300 or more contiguous acres of undeveloped property as well as members of their immediate family residing on that property may be eligible for a Farmer/Landowner permit.
- All the land, exclusive of the legal safety zones, must not be posted and must be open without restriction to the public for hunting.
- Once approved, additional antlerless deer permits can be issued at MassWildlife District Offices to qualified landowners with approved property in Wildlife Management Zones with unlimited ADPs – Zones 10, 11, 13, 14.
- For the purposes of this permit, immediate family is defined as any child, parent, sibling, guardian, or spouse.
Requirements for Farmer/Landowner permit recipients
- Applicants must have a MassFishHunt account to be issued the Farmer/Landowner permit. Create a free MassFishHunt account here or visit your nearest MassWildlife District Office to create an account.
- All species harvested under this permit must be reported online through MassFishHunt or at an official check station.
- All the land, exclusive of the legal safety zones, must not be posted and must be open without restriction to the public for hunting.
- If issued, Farmer/Landowner permits will not be mailed back to you. You must log onto your MassFishHunt account to access the permit. When approved, you will be able to add the permit to your cart and “purchase” it for $0. You can print your permit at home, at your local library, or visit a license vendor for assistance.
- Farmer/Landowner permit is valid from the issue date to the end of the calendar year. Tags and permits may only be used on the approved property during the species' hunting season. You must apply for the permit annually as needed.
How do you apply for a Farmer/Landowner permit?
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To apply for a Farmer/Landowner permit, complete the Farmer/Landowner Application and mail it to Farmer/Landowner Permit, MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581.
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There is no cost to apply for a Farmer/Landowner permit. The Farmer/Landowner permit is issued at no cost.
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Allow at least 30 days for the processing of Farmer/Landowner permit applications.