Participate in a controlled public hunt in Massachusetts

If you are looking for a place to hunt, consider applying for a controlled hunt in Massachusetts. Controlled hunts may be held on state, municipal, or federal land or on lands owned by other organizations.

Controlled hunts take place during the regular hunting seasons. Some hunts limit the number of days open to hunting, limit the number of hunters, allow access to areas otherwise off limits to hunting, or some combination of the three. You’re still required to follow all the usual hunting regulations, in addition to the rules for the specific hunt.

Some of the controlled hunt programs are listed below; you can also research other opportunities in your area by contacting your local conservation commission or land trusts.

Quabbin Reservation Deer Hunt

The Quabbin Controlled Deer Hunt takes place every year on Quabbin Reservoir watershed lands. You must apply for the hunt in the summer. There is no fee to apply. Participants are selected from the pool of applicants. You must have a firearms identification card to take part in the Quabbin hunt regardless of the type of firearm you use. Use your MassFishHunt Customer ID number on the application; this number will be used in the lottery selection process to draw permits. All Customer ID numbers are eligible for the drawing. Up to two hunters are allowed on each application.

Applications must be submitted online. For application and more information from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), go to mass.gov/dcr/deerhunt. The application period is July 1 to Aug. 31. Successful applicants will receive written notification by early October and will be assigned a hunting zone. Contact the Quabbin Visitor Center at (413) 323-7221 for more information.

Additional Resources

Blue Hills Deer Management Program

The Blue Hills Deer Management Program is part of a long-term effort to manage high deer densities within the Blue Hills Reservation. You must apply and be selected through a lottery system to participate in the hunt. For the most current information, please check the Department of Conservation and Recreation website.

Additional Resources

Wachusett Reservoir Watershed Hunt

You can hunt in certain areas of the Wachusett Watershed Management lands in Central Massachusetts if you have a permit.

The Wachusett Controlled Deer hunt in the designated  "Reservoir Zone" hunting area (the 2,800 acres around the Wachusett Reservoir within the boundary set by Routes 110, 12, 140, and 70) will take place during the archery, shotgun, and primitive firearm seasons. If the number of applicants exceed the limit to conduct a safe hunt, then permits for this hunt will be selected by lottery. Hunting on all other areas of DCR Watershed lands in the Wachusett Reservoir Watershed require a permit from DCR that can be requested at any time.

Additional Resources

Camp Edwards Controlled Hunting Program

Camp Edwards on Joint Base Cape Cod is located in the towns of Bourne and Sandwich. Controlled deer hunts are held in the fall. Controlled turkey hunts are held in the spring. About 11,000 acres of this active military training area are open to hunting and access is strictly controlled. 

Additional Resources

Templeton Development Center Bowhunting Program

During the fall deer and fall turkey hunting seasons, bow hunters can access the Templeton Development Center (TDC), operated by the Department of Developmental Services. The goal of the TDC Bowhunting Program is to provide recreational opportunities for Massachusetts hunters and to address the high deer and turkey densities in the area. There is no application or permit required to hunt in this area. There are special regulations that must be followed.

Regulations for Hunting on Templeton Development Center lands:

  • Archery hunting only. No firearms of any kind.
  • Archery hunting allowed for deer and turkey only. Turkey may only be hunted during the fall season.
  • Scouting is allowed 2 weeks prior to start of archery deer season.
  • Hunting is allowed from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
  • Hunting is prohibited within open fields, access roads, trails, marked safety zones, and within 500 feet of any TDC building. See TDC map.
  • Hunters must wear a minimum of 500 square inches of blaze orange.
  • Treestand hunting only. Driving deer and turkey is prohibited.
  • Do not block gates. See TDC map for parking areas.
  • Hunters are not permitted to walk on or across TDC open fields, paved roads, or non-hunting areas. Violations subject to trespass laws. See TDC map.
  • If deer or turkey are wounded and enter a prohibited area, you must contact campus police at (978) 939-2161, Ext. 0.
  • Motorized vehicles, camping or campfires, littering, drugs, or alcohol are not allowed.

Please limit traffic through the TDC campus. Speed limits on grounds are strictly enforced.

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