Massachusetts 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Massachusetts's listed 2026-27 archery deer season runs Oct 5-Nov 28, 2026.
General (Session 2) Crow opens Jul 1, 2026 and closes Apr 10, 2027.
General Crow opens Jul 1, 2026 and closes Apr 10, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Massachusetts DFW.
- archery deer
- Oct 5-Nov 28, 2026
- other
- Jul 1, 2026-Apr 10, 2027
- other
- Jul 1, 2026-Apr 10, 2027
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Key seasons by species
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Massachusetts DFW before hunting.
Deer
White-tailed Deer
Winter Deer Season
Jan 1-Feb 14, 2026
Zone: Zone 13 & 14 only
White-tailed Deer
Early Deer Season
Sep 21-Oct 1, 2026
Zone: Zone 13 & 14 only
White-tailed Deer
Youth Hunt
Oct 3-3, 2026
Youth Deer Hunt
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Oct 3-3, 2026
Youth Deer Hunt
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Oct 5-Nov 28, 2026
Zone: Zone 1-14
White-tailed Deer
Paraplegic Hunt
Oct 29-31, 2026
Get hunt details
White-tailed Deer
Shotgun
Nov 30-Dec 12, 2026
Zone: Zone 1-14
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Dec 14-31, 2026
Primitive Firearms Deer Season. See deer hunting regulations.
Zone: Zone 1-14
White-tailed Deer
Primitive Firearms (Muzzleloader)
Dec 14-31, 2026
See deer hunting regulations.
Zone: Zone 1-14
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Youth
Apr 25-25, 2026
Youth Turkey Hunt
Zone: Zones 1-13
Wild Turkey
Youth Hunt
Apr 25-25, 2026
Youth Turkey Hunt
Zone: Zones 1-13
Wild Turkey
Spring
Apr 27-May 23, 2026
Zone: Zones 1-13
Wild Turkey
Fall
Oct 5-Nov 28, 2026
Zone: Zones 1-13
Bear
Black Bear
General
Sep 7-Dec 12, 2026
Zone: Zones 1-14
Pheasant
Pheasant
Youth
Sep 5-Oct 10, 2026
Youth Pheasant Hunt. Specific dates: Sept. 5, 12, 19 and Oct. 3, 10, 2026.
Pheasant
Youth Hunt
Sep 5-Oct 10, 2026
Youth Pheasant Hunt. Specific dates: Sept. 5, 12, 19 and Oct. 3, 10, 2026.
Pheasant
General
Oct 17-Dec 31, 2026
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Quail
Quail
General
Oct 17-Dec 31, 2026
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
General
Oct 17-Nov 28, 2026
Zone: Zones 1-14
Rabbit
Cottontail Rabbit
General (Session 1)
Jan 1-Feb 28, 2026
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Cottontail Rabbit
General
Jan 1-Feb 28, 2026
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Cottontail Rabbit
General
Oct 17, 2026-Feb 27, 2027
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Cottontail Rabbit
General (Session 2)
Oct 17, 2026-Feb 27, 2027
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Snowshoe Hare
General (Session 1)
Jan 1-Feb 28, 2026
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Snowshoe Hare
General
Jan 1-Feb 28, 2026
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Snowshoe Hare
General (Session 2)
Oct 17, 2026-Feb 27, 2027
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Snowshoe Hare
General
Oct 17, 2026-Feb 27, 2027
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Squirrel
Gray Squirrel
General
Jan 1-Feb 28, 2026
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Gray Squirrel
General (Session 1)
Jan 1-Feb 28, 2026
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Gray Squirrel
General
Sep 2, 2026-Feb 27, 2027
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Gray Squirrel
General (Session 2)
Sep 2, 2026-Feb 27, 2027
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Furbearer
16 listed rowsBobcat
General
Jan 1-Mar 7, 2026
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-8
Bobcat
General (Session 1)
Jan 1-Mar 7, 2026
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-8
Bobcat
General (Session 2)
Dec 21, 2026-Mar 8, 2027
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-8
Bobcat
General
Dec 21, 2026-Mar 8, 2027
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-8
Fox (Red or Gray)
General (Session 1)
Jan 1-Feb 28, 2026
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Fox (Red or Gray)
General
Jan 1-Feb 28, 2026
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Fox (Red or Gray)
General (Session 2)
Nov 2, 2026-Feb 27, 2027
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Fox (Red or Gray)
General
Nov 2, 2026-Feb 27, 2027
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Opossum
General (Session 1)
Jan 1-31, 2026
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Opossum
General
Jan 1-31, 2026
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Opossum
General
Oct 1, 2026-Jan 30, 2027
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Opossum
General (Session 2)
Oct 1, 2026-Jan 30, 2027
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Show 4 more furbearer rows
Raccoon
General (Session 1)
Jan 1-31, 2026
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Raccoon
General
Jan 1-31, 2026
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Raccoon
General
Oct 1, 2026-Jan 30, 2027
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Raccoon
General (Session 2)
Oct 1, 2026-Jan 30, 2027
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Coyote
Coyote
General
Jan 1-Mar 7, 2026
Zone: Zones 1-14
Coyote
General (Session 1)
Jan 1-Mar 7, 2026
Zone: Zones 1-14
Coyote
General (Session 2)
Oct 17, 2026-Mar 8, 2027
Zone: Zones 1-14
Coyote
General
Oct 17, 2026-Mar 8, 2027
Zone: Zones 1-14
Other
Crow
General
Jan 1-Apr 10, 2026
Monday, Friday, Saturday only. Second season: July 1, 2026 – Apr. 10, 2027 (Mon, Fri, Sat only). Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Crow
General (Session 1)
Jan 1-Apr 10, 2026
Monday, Friday, Saturday only. Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Crow
General (Session 2)
Jul 1, 2026-Apr 10, 2027
Monday, Friday, Saturday only. Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Crow
General
Jul 1, 2026-Apr 10, 2027
Monday, Friday, Saturday only. Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
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Massachusetts Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Massachusetts?
September 21, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Massachusetts; it is early deer season white-tailed deer Sep 21-Oct 1, 2026.
When is Massachusetts's firearm deer season?
Massachusetts does not have a firearm deer row in the current data set yet. Check Massachusetts DFW for firearm, rifle, or general deer season details.
When does spring turkey open in Massachusetts?
A current spring turkey opener is not listed for Massachusetts yet. Check Massachusetts DFW for the latest turkey dates.
Do I need a license to hunt in Massachusetts?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Massachusetts hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Massachusetts DFW.