News Deer hunting information and reminders

2019 Deer Hunting Seasons

Youth Deer Hunt Day: Sept. 28
Paraplegic hunt: Oct. 31–Nov. 2
Archery season zones 10–14: Oct. 7–Nov. 30
Archery season zones 1–9: Oct. 21–Nov. 30
Shotgun season: Dec. 2–Dec. 14
Primitive firearms season: Dec. 16–Dec. 31

All dates inclusive. Hunting is prohibited on Sundays.

Antlerless Deer Permit instant award period begins August 1

If you applied for an Antlerless Deer Permit by the July 16 deadline, you then must check back after August 1 to find out if you have been awarded the ability to purchase the permit. The award period begins August 1st at 8 a.m. and ends on December 31. Your odds of being awarded a permit are the same regardless of when you check your permit status. You can check the status of your permit through MassFishHunt, or by visiting a MassWildlife office or license agent location. A $5 fee is charged only if you are awarded a permit.

View ADP allocations and odds of winning

Surplus Antlerless Deer Permits go on sale in late September

Apply online for Quabbin or Wachusett Deer Hunt from July 1–August 31

Quabbin Controlled Deer Hunt
To have a chance of participating in this hunt, you must apply online between July 1 and August 31; there is no application fee. To apply or to get more information from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), go to mass.gov/dcr/deerhunt.

Wachusett Controlled Deer Hunt
There are 2 types of hunting permits for DCR properties in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed area:

1. A free 5-year access permit for hunting on property both west and east of I-190. This area is open for the all hunting seasons. and for all game. This permit can be requested at any time.
    
2. A free annual permit for deer hunting on property adjacent to Wachusett Reservoir, designated by DCR as the "Reservoir Zone".  This permit is selected by lottery; applications will be available from July 1 to August 31.

Learn more about hunting on the Wachusett Reservoir watershed.

Date change for Camp Edwards Deer Hunt archery scouting and hunting

The dates for the Camp Edwards archery deer scouting and hunting have been changed. Updated fall hunting dates are as follows:

• Youth Deer Hunt: Sept. 28, 2019
• Paraplegic Deer Hunt: Cot. 31 – Nov 2, 2019
• Archery Deer Scouting: Nov. 18-19, 2019 (8 a.m. – 12 p.m., check in/out at Range Center)
• Archery Deer Hunt: Nov. 21–23, 2019
• Military Deer Hunt: Dec. 2–3, 2019
• Shotgun Deer Hunt: Dec. 9–14, 2019
• Muzzleloader Deer Hunt: Dec. 19–20, 2019

If you’re interested in hunting on this property, you need to pre-register by October 1 and follow special rules. Get more information about the the Camp Edwards controlled hunt.

Youth Deer Hunt Day

The 2019 Youth Deer Hunt Day is Saturday, September 28. Youth Deer Hunt Day permits are available online, beginning August 1. With this permit, youth may take either an antlered or antlerless deer in any zone on the Youth Deer Hunt Day. Learn more about the Youth Deer Hunt Day.