News  New deer hunting regulations in effect for 2025 season

New regulatory changes related to deer hunting seasons and new rules designed to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) to deer in Massachusetts are now in effect. Exciting updates to MassWildlife's Hunters Share the Harvest venison donation program have also been announced. Scroll down for a summary of what's new.

Surplus ADP reminder: Unlimited permits (zones 10, 11, 13, 14) and limited zone 9 permits will go on sale Tues. September 23 at 9 a.m. Limited permits in zones 1, 3, 7, 8, and 12 will go on sale on Wed. September 24 at 9 a.m. Unlimited permits will be available for purchase throughout the entire season. Learn more about surplus antlerless deer permits.

• The Youth Deer Permit can be used during any open deer season.
• Deer decoys can be used for hunting during the archery-only season.
• Daily antlerless bag limit has been removed. (Season limits are still in effect.)
• Planted food plots and standing crops are legal to use for hunting.
• Deboning requirements have been expanded to all states outside of New England.
• For license year 2026, there is a new winter primitive firearms deer season for the month of January on Martha’s Vineyard and Elizabeth Island (WMZ 13) and Nantucket (WMZ 14).
• Antler shed hunting is exempt from possession permit requirements. Under previous laws, a tag was required for possession of any deer parts, including antlers. The new regulation allows anyone to collect and possess naturally shed antlers without needing any permit, tag, or license. 

MassWildlife's Hunters Share the Harvest program provides an outlet for hunters to donate venison to Massachusetts residents facing food insecurity. Since the program's inception, more than 50,000 meals have been distributed to families in need. The program continues to expand and now has 16 participating processors and 18 food distribution partners across the state. 

New this year: For each whole deer donation, a hunter will receive a no-cost replacement Antlerless Deer Permit in the zone of their choice (WMZ 9, 10, 11, 13, or 14). It may take 2–4 weeks for the permit to be added to the donor's account. For hunters that donate a whole deer before Thanksgiving, we will make every effort to issue replacement permits before the 2025 shotgun deer season. Hunters who donate a whole deer after Thanksgiving will receive the replacement permit in 2026. A 2026 hunting or sporting license is required to utilize the permit in 2026.

Donation options

Hunters who donate their full deer pay no processing or packaging fees. Hunters can choose to donate a portion of their deer if it is processed entirely at an approved processor following all program requirements. 

• Donate at least 10 pounds of processed venison from your deer and receive $50 off the cost of processing.
• Donate at least 20 pounds of processed venison from your deer and receive $100 off the cost of processing.
• Donate at least 30 pounds of processed venison from your deer and receive $150 off the cost of processing.

Learn more about the Hunters Share the Harvest program at mass.gov/sharetheharvest.