How to report a deer, bear, or turkey harvest ONLINE
The MassFishHunt system was upgraded on December 1, 2021. Your license, permit, and harvest reporting information will transfer seamlessly to the new system.
Follow the directions below to report a deer, bear, or turkey harvest without logging into the new system.
1. Go to MassFishHunt.mass.gov.
2. Select Report a Harvest from the top menu.
If you’re using a mobile device, click the 3 bars in the upper left of your screen to see the menu.
3. Enter your customer ID and date of birth, then click Search.
4. Your available tags will now be visible. Click the drop-down arrow next to the tag you are reporting on. Then click Report a harvest.
5. You will have to answer a series of questions. To answer some of the questions, you will need to examine the animal. When finished, click Submit at the bottom of the page.
6. A message containing your confirmation number will appear after you submit your report.
IMPORTANT: You must write this number on the harvest tag (which should still be attached to the harvested animal), where it shall remain until the animal is processed for food or taxidermy.
Note: To get full use of the new MassFishHunt and purchase licenses online, you will need to claim your account and add an email and password. Learn how to log into the new MassFishHunt for the first time.
How to report a furbearer harvest ONLINE
The MassFishHunt system was upgraded on December 1, 2021. Your license, permit, and harvest reporting information will transfer seamlessly to the new system. Follow the directions below to report a furbearer harvest online.
1. Go to MassFishHunt.mass.gov
2. If you’re on a desktop computer, click Sign Up. If you’re on a mobile device, click Get Started.
3. You will be prompted to claim your account in the new system and add an email address and password. Watch this short tutorial to learn how to claim your account:
4. Once logged in, go to My Account and select Report a Harvest.
5. To report a deer, bear, or turkey click the drop-down arrow next to the permit you are reporting on. Then click Report a harvest and answer the questions.
There is a separate section for furbearer harvest reporting at the bottom of the page. Enter your information under Furbearer Harvest Reports.
6. A message containing your confirmation number will appear after you submit your report.
IMPORTANT: You must write this number on the harvest tag (which should still be attached to the harvested animal), where it shall remain until the animal is processed for food or taxidermy, or until the pelt is sold or tanned.
How to report a harvest IN PERSON
You can report a harvest at a physical check station. Go to Mass.gov/dfw/checkstation for a map showing check stations that are open during different hunting seasons.
If you harvest a deer during the 1st week of shotgun season, you must report your deer at a physical check station.
Deer, bear, & turkey harvest reporting rules
Upon harvesting a deer, bear, or turkey, you must immediately fill out and detach the paper tag from your permit/license and attach it to the animal. Your game must remain intact (other than field dressing), with the harvest tag attached, until it is reported and prepared for food or taxidermy purposes. Until you have reported your harvested deer or bear, a part of the carcass must be visible while transporting it.
2 ways to report:
- Use MassFishHunt to report a harvest online
- Take your harvested game to an official check station. Click here for a complete list of check stations.
Bobcat and otter harvest reporting rules
Bobcat and otter must be checked within 4 working days of the end of the season at a physical check station. Bobcats and otters cannot be reported online. The seal you receive from the check station must remain attached to the pelt until the pelt/carcass is prepared for mounting or the pelt is sold or tanned.
To find an official check station, visit mass.gov/dfw/checkstation and select Bobcat and River Otter from the layer list.
Beaver, coyote, fisher, fox, & mink harvest reporting rules
You must report harvested beaver, fisher, mink within 4 working days of the end of their respective seasons. You must report coyote or fox within 48 hours of harvest.
2 ways to report:
- Use MassFishHunt to report a harvest online
You will get a confirmation number after completion. You must write this number on a harvest tag of your own making. Confirmation numbers must remain attached until the pelt/carcass is prepared for mounting or the pelt is sold or tanned. - Take your harvested game to an official check station. To find an official check station, visit mass.gov/dfw/checkstation and use the layer list to select the type of game you are reporting.
The seal you receive from the check station must remain attached to the pelt until the pelt/carcass is prepared for mounting or the pelt is sold or tanned.
Meat processors and taxidermists game possession rules
Meat processors and taxidermists shall only possess bear, beaver, bobcat, coyote, deer, fisher, fox, mink, otter or wild turkey with either:
- An official MassWildlife metal or plastic seal affixed to the carcass or furbearer pelt
OR
- A tag with the assigned MassFishHunt confirmation number affixed to the carcass or furbearer pelt.
It is illegal to accept any of the above game animals that do not have an official MassWidlife seal or have the confirmation number on an attached tag.