Background
Winter Buck, Photo by Dale Monette, courtesy of North Quabbin Photography
Since its creation in the 1930s, hunting had not been permitted on the Quabbin Reservation. This allowed deer populations to grow immensely.
Two-day controlled hunts with hunters selected through a lottery began in 1991 in the Pelham area and expanded to the other four management blocks (Prescott, New Salem, Hardwick and Petersham) during the next three years. As deer populations were lowered, yearly hunting effort was reduced so that by 1996 only one hunting segment was used in each hunt area. This was in keeping with DWSP’s intent to scale back hunting effort as the program moved from the initial deer reduction phase to a population maintenance phase. The goal of this latter phase is to maintain deer populations at levels that allow for forest regeneration.
It was decided in 2019 that one zone (Pelham) would be open to deer hunting during the two-week shotgun season. Hunters who applied for a one-year access permit could hunt this zone. Due to the success of this program, it was expanded to additional zones; since 2020, Pelham, New Salem and Hardwick zones have been open to deer hunting during the shotgun season. Two-day controlled hunts are still scheduled on a rotating (non-annual) basis in Prescott and Petersham zones. While hunter success has been lower during the deer maintenance phase of the program than in earlier reduction phases, the exceptional scenery and habitat of Quabbin Reservation still makes for a quality hunting experience.
Quabbin hunting is still largely centered around the protection of its forest through a managed deer hunt. However, there are several other opportunities for hunting and trapping within the Quabbin Watershed. Below is some information about what hunting and trapping opportunities currently exist and how sportsmen and sportswomen can participate.
Quabbin Shotgun Season Deer Hunt
This hunt occurs annually during the two-week shotgun season in specific Quabbin zones (Hardwick, New Salem and Pelham). Hunters are required to apply online for a one-year DWSP Hunting permit to hunt these zones and there is no limit to the number of hunters that can receive a permit.
2023 Shotgun Season Quabbin Hunt Zones
Hardwick, Pelham, and New Salem will be open for the entire two-week 2023 shotgun season (Nov. 27 - Dec. 9, 2023). Access is by foot from DCR gates or designated access points. There may be increased vehicle access for parking on interior roads at designated gates in each section.
- There is no lottery for DWSP Hunting permits in these three zones. Each hunter must apply for their own hunting permit.
- Each hunter will be able to use the two buck tags issued with their hunting license as well as have a chance to win a Quabbin-specific antlerless tag purchased from MassFishHunt's instant award lottery. Every hunter that applies for this hunt by Friday, November 10, 2023 will have the ability to purchase a Quabbin Antlerless Deer Permit through the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife's MassFishHunt permit website (https://massfishhunt.mass.gov/). Quabbin Antlerless tags will be made available to Quabbin shotgun season hunters on Monday, November 13. They will be available through the last day of Shotgun season (December 9th, 2023).
- Application dates for the hunting permit are from July 1 to the last day of shotgun season. Please visit the Hunting Access Permits page for an application.
Quabbin Two-Day Controlled Deer Hunt
This is a two-day hunt that may occur in any given year in the historic Quabbin hunting zones of Hardwick, New Salem, Pelham, Petersham, and Prescott. Quabbin Park was added as a hunting zone in 2023. For two-day controlled hunts, participants are selected from an applicant pool in a special lottery. Applications for the two-day controlled hunt must be submitted online. Applications for all hunts open on July 1 and close on August 31. Applications can be found on the Hunting Access Permit webpage. Attending an orientation and passing a knowledge check is required in order to receive your permit.
2023 Prescott and Petersham Controlled Hunt
DCR will hold a two-day controlled hunt on both the Prescott Peninsula and in the Petersham Zone during shotgun season.
- Petersham will be on November 29 and 30, 2023
- Prescott hunt will be on December 6 and 7, 2023
This hunt will be administered the same as past Quabbin two-day controlled hunts. Hunters can apply specifically to one or both of these hunt areas in groups of up to four hunters and the number of permits will be capped for each Zone. If that cap is reached, there will be a lottery.
Permitted hunters for each zone will be allowed vehicle access to the Prescott Peninsula and Petersham for the two-day hunt. Hunters will check in and out of the hunt each day.
Each hunter will be able to use the two buck tags issued with their hunting license and will be able to purchase a Prescott-specific or Petersham-specific antlerless tag from MassFishHunt's instant award lottery. Prescott and Petersham antlerless tags will be made available to eligible hunters after the lottery for the hunt is held in October.
The Prescott/Petersham Lottery was held on October 6, 2023, at 11 am the Quabbin Visitor’s Center. It was live and open to the public. However, you do not have to be at the lottery to find out if you were selected. The winning Customer ID numbers will be emailed and posted on the DCR webpage after the lottery.
Les and Terry Campbell Quabbin Visitor Center: 485 Ware Road (Route 9 - GPS address: 100 Winsor Dam Rd), Belchertown, MA 01007; 413-323-7221.
As in the past, the selection process will issue permits based upon the last 2 digits of all Customer ID #’s (hunting license number) listed on the application. If a Customer ID # is selected, all hunters on the application receive permits for a hunt zone.
You will get placed into your preferred zone as indicated on your application until that zone is full. Once the hunter’s/hunting group’s preferred zone is full, if one of their Customer IDs get selected, you will be placed into your second choice.
Here are the 2023 lottery picks: 2023 Quabbin Deer Hunt Lottery Results. Note: All lottery applicants received a permit. These drawing results determined which section (Prescott or Petersham) hunters would be placed.
Hunter Orientation
In order to be authorized to hunt controlled hunts in Petersham and Prescott, selected hunters are REQUIRED to watch the hunter orientation recording and answer knowledge check questions (link provided in email to selected hunters).
A few important notes:
- Hunters who complete the knowledge check on or before October 30, 2023, will be able to purchase one Prescott or Petersham antlerless permit on the MassFishHunt website.
- Antlerless permits go on sale November 13, 2023, and will be on sale up to the dates of the hunts.
- If hunters miss the October 30, 2023 deadline for completing the knowledge check, they can still complete the Knowledge Check by November 10, 2023, to access the hunts.
- Hunters will NOT be granted access to the Petersham or Prescott hunts if Knowledge Checks are completed after November 10, 2023.
- ALL HUNTERS are required to take the Orientation and complete the Knowledge Check regardless of whether you plan to purchase an antlerless permit.
Note: If you have been selected for the Quabbin Controlled hunts in Petersham or Prescott and have not received an email with the link to the Orientation and Knowledge Check, please email: quabbin.hunt@mass.gov
Scouting
Scouting is allowed year-round at Quabbin with the exception of the Prescott Zone. There will be a special scouting weekend on Saturday, November 18 and Sunday, November 19, 2023. Permitted hunters will be allowed to drive in Gate 17 at Prescott and Gate 40 for Petersham to scout the Zones. Hunters must check in and check out each day that they scout. Only permitted hunters for each Hunt Zone will be admitted.
2023 Prescott and Petersham Controlled Hunt Permits
Please visit the Hunting Access Permits page for an application.
2023 Quabbin Park Controlled Hunt
DWSP is moving forward with the Quabbin Park two-day controlled hunt during shotgun season in 2023. The hunt will be on Monday, December 4 and Tuesday, December 5. DWSP will honor the lottery winners from the 2019 planned hunt. Letters and emails will go out to hunters informing them that Quabbin Park is open this year, and to determine if they are available to participate. If more than 25 spaces become available, an application will open for two weeks for others to apply, and a lottery will be held for the remaining spaces. An online orientation and knowledge check will be required for hunters to receive their Quabbin Park permits.
Each hunter will be able to use the two buck tags issued with their hunting license and will be able to purchase up to two Quabbin Park-specific antlerless tags from the MassFishHunt instant award lottery. These tags will be available to hunters in mid-November after completion of the online orientation knowledge check.
Quabbin Park is open to vehicle access year-round, therefore hunters may scout at anytime. The Park will be closed to the public during the two-day controlled hunts.
Other Quabbin Hunting or Trapping Opportunities
Male Turkey, Photo by Dale Monette, courtesy of North Quabbin Photography
Off-Reservation Hunting at Quabbin
There are areas managed by the Division of Water Supply Protection that are outside of the traditional Quabbin Deer Hunt Zones. These "Off-Reservation" lands are open for hunting and trapping for all game during the state hunting seasons with a DWSP permit. You can view these other areas within the Quabbin watershed that are not part of a Controlled Deer Hunt on the DWSP Hunting Map. Click on any location to find additional information about rules, regulations, and contact information. All State Fish and Wildlife Regulations are in effect for these properties. Note: A free five-year Watershed Hunting Permit is required to hunt these properties; click here to apply.
Turkey Hunting at Quabbin
Turkey hunting is permitted on Off-Reservation lands during the Spring and Fall seasons with a free five-year Watershed Hunting Permit (click here to apply).
Waterfowl Hunting at Quabbin
Waterfowl hunting is not permitted on any Quabbin watershed property due to 313 CMR 11.00, which states that bodily contact with surface waters are prohibited. This restricts the ability of a hunter to retrieve his or her game. Waterfowl hunting is permitted in other watershed lands in designated areas. Please visit the DWSP Hunting Map for these locations.
Additional Vehicle Access on Off-Reservation Lands
There are some additional areas off-reservation in the towns of New Salem and Pelham that allow increased access through the gates with a Vehicle Access Permit (contact the Quabbin Visitor’s Center for more information). These areas, collectively known as "Macedonia," are open for all seasons and all game, however the vehicle access permit is only good for deer hunting season. Please visit the Hunting Map to see these areas in the northwest section of the Quabbin Watershed. These areas allow you to rent a key that gives gate access.
NOTE: You do not need a Vehicle Access Permit to hunt this area. You may access this area on foot from the gates. However, a free five-year Watershed Hunting Permit is required. If you have any questions email the Visitor Center at QuabbinVisitor.Center@mass.gov or call 413-323-7221.
Paraplegic Hunt
Each year MassWildlife holds a special three-day deer hunting season for paraplegic hunters at Quabbin. Staff and volunteers place hunters in safe areas at several hunt locations. When a hunter shoots a deer, volunteers assist the hunter by retrieving the deer, field dressing it, and getting it checked in. For more information about this special hunt and how to take part, go to www.mass.gov/info-details/deer-hunt-for-paraplegic-hunters.
Hunting Maps
DWSP has developed a user-friendly interactive Hunting Map with information about hunting and trapping areas on DWSP property.
This expertly detailed, interactive map shows everything you need for hunting on DWSP property. Features include parking areas, access points, topographic contours, water bodies/wetlands, fields, recent timber harvests, hunting setbacks and road types and road names. You can also filter DWSP property to find places where hunting/trapping is allowed, where dogs can be used, what type of permit is needed and what game you can hunt. This map also can show you where previous deer harvests have been and what was harvested (Quabbin Deer Harvest tab).
You can use this map in two ways. You can begin scouting from the comfort of your home on your desktop computer and identify areas you want to scout in the field. You can then print a custom map from this webpage and bring it into the field. Additionally, you can open the map on your smartphone’s web browser in the field and see your real-time location on the map.
NO Service, NO Problem- Take the DWSP Sportsman Map with you!
Using the free app – ArcGIS Field Maps (iPhone or Google Play)– you can download a copy of the Hunting Map to take in the woods with you on your mobile device. This is great when you are hunting somewhere remote with no cell service. Click here for Instructions for Using DCR Division of Water Supply Protection's Deer Hunt Interactive Maps Mobile App.
Printable Maps
DWSP has also created printable maps of the Quabbin Deer Hunting Zones. Please note when printing that these maps are 11x17 inches.