Massachusetts 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Massachusetts's 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 30-Dec 12, 2026 (Zone 1-14).
Archery deer season runs Oct 5-Nov 28, 2026 (Zone 1-14).
Duck season opens between October 10, 2026 and October 12, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 27, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Massachusetts DFW.
- firearm deer
- Nov 30-Dec 12, 2026
- archery deer
- Oct 5-Nov 28, 2026
- duck
- opens Oct 10-12, 2026 by zone
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Key seasons by species
How to read Massachusetts's seasons
Zones and weapon seasons set the practical calendar
Massachusetts runs deer seasons by wildlife management zone across archery, shotgun, and primitive-firearms phases, and zone dates and antlerless permits vary. Read the rows below alongside your zone.
Confirm zone boundaries, permit allocations, and any restricted-firearm rules with the official MassWildlife source.
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
Archery Deer Season
Zone: Zone 1-14
White-tailed Deer
Shotgun Deer Season
Zone: Zone 1-14
White-tailed Deer
Primitive Firearms Deer Season
Zone: Zone 1-14
White-tailed Deer
Winter Deer Season
Zone: Zone 13 & 14 only
White-tailed Deer
Early Deer Season
Zone: Zone 13 & 14 only
White-tailed Deer
Youth Deer Hunt
White-tailed Deer
Paraplegic Hunt
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Fall
Zone: Zones 1-13
Wild Turkey
Youth Turkey Hunt
Zone: Zones 1-13
Wild Turkey
Spring
Zone: Zones 1-13
Bear
Black Bear
General
Zone: Zones 1-14
Waterfowl
37 listed rowsAmerican Coot
Regular
Zone: Central
American Coot
Regular
Zone: Berkshire
Canada Goose
Regular
Zone: Central
Canada Goose
Regular
Zone: Berkshire
Ducks, American Coot
Falconry
Ducks and American coot only, no geese. Falconry closed Sundays.
Zone: Statewide
Ducks, mergansers, sea ducks
Regular
Hunting is prohibited on Sundays.
Zone: Central
Ducks, mergansers, sea ducks
Regular
Hunting is prohibited on Sundays.
Zone: Berkshire
Snow Goose
Regular
Zone: Central
Snow Goose
Regular
Zone: Berkshire
American Coot
Regular
Zone: Coastal
Brant
Regular
Zone: Coastal
Canada Goose
Regular
Zone: Coastal
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| American CootRegular · Coastal | Closed | |
| American CootRegular · Berkshire | Upcoming | |
| American CootRegular · Central | Upcoming | |
| Canada GooseEarly · Berkshire | Closed | |
| Canada GooseEarly · Central | Closed | |
| Canada GooseEarly · Coastal | Closed | |
| Canada GooseRegular · Coastal | Closed | |
| Canada GooseRegular · Central | Upcoming | |
| Canada GooseLate · Berkshire | Upcoming | |
| Canada GooseLate · Central | Upcoming | |
| Canada GooseLate · CoastalNorth coastal zone only. | Upcoming | |
| Ducks, mergansers, sea ducksRegular · CoastalHunting is prohibited on Sundays. | Closed | |
| Ducks, mergansers, sea ducksRegular · CoastalHunting is prohibited on Sundays. | Upcoming | |
| Ducks, mergansers, sea ducksRegular · BerkshireHunting is prohibited on Sundays. | Upcoming | |
| Ducks, mergansers, sea ducksRegular · CentralHunting is prohibited on Sundays. | Upcoming | |
| Snow GooseRegular · Coastal | Closed | |
| Snow GooseRegular · Coastal | Upcoming | |
| Snow GooseRegular · Berkshire | Upcoming | |
| Snow GooseRegular · Central | Upcoming | |
| Snow GooseLate · Central | Upcoming | |
| Snow GooseLate · CoastalNorth coastal zone only. | Upcoming | |
| WaterfowlActive Military and Veterans Waterfowl Hunt · StatewideActive duty Armed Forces members and veterans; proof of eligibility required. | Closed | |
| WaterfowlYouth Waterfowl Hunt · StatewideWaterfowl hunters ages 12-17 only; must be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter with a valid MA waterfowl stamp. | Closed | |
| WaterfowlActive Military and Veterans Waterfowl Hunt · StatewideActive duty Armed Forces members and veterans; proof of eligibility required. | Closed | |
| WaterfowlYouth Waterfowl Hunt · StatewideWaterfowl hunters ages 12-17 only; must be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter with a valid MA waterfowl stamp. | Closed |
Pheasant
Pheasant
General
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Pheasant
Youth Pheasant Hunt
Pheasant
Youth Pheasant Hunt
Pheasant
Youth Pheasant Hunt
Pheasant
Youth Pheasant Hunt
Pheasant
Youth Pheasant Hunt
Quail
Quail
General
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
General
Zone: Zones 1-14
Rabbit
Cottontail Rabbit
General
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Snowshoe Hare
General
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Cottontail Rabbit
General
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Snowshoe Hare
General
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Squirrel
Gray Squirrel
General
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Gray Squirrel
General
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Furbearer
Fox (Red or Gray)
General
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Opossum
General
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Raccoon
General
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Bobcat
General
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-8
Bobcat
General
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-8
Fox (Red or Gray)
General
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Opossum
General
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Raccoon
General
Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Migratory Birds
American Woodcock
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Snipe
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Sora Rail
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Virginia Rail
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Coyote
General
Zone: Zones 1-14
Coyote
General
Zone: Zones 1-14
Other
Crow
General
Mon, Fri, Sat only. Closed during shotgun deer season.
Zone: Zones 1-14
Crow
General
Mon, Fri, Sat 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?
Archery deer season runs Oct 5-Nov 28, 2026 (Zone 1-14). Firearm deer season runs Nov 30-Dec 12, 2026 (Zone 1-14). Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Massachusetts DFW.
When is Massachusetts's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season runs Nov 30-Dec 12, 2026 (Zone 1-14). Check zone and permit details with Massachusetts DFW before hunting.
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.
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