Massachusetts Deer Season 2026
Massachusetts deer season dates start with Oct 3-3, 2026. The table below keeps every listed deer row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Massachusetts's listed 2026 archery deer season runs Oct 5-Nov 28, 2026.
Youth Hunt White-tailed Deer opens Oct 3, 2026 and closes Oct 3, 2026.
Youth White-tailed Deer opens Oct 3, 2026 and closes Oct 3, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Massachusetts DFW.
Deer
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 Hunt
Youth Deer Hunt
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Youth Deer Hunt
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Zone 1-14
White-tailed Deer
Paraplegic Hunt
Get hunt details
White-tailed Deer
Shotgun
Zone: Zone 1-14
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Primitive Firearms Deer Season. See deer hunting regulations.
Zone: Zone 1-14
White-tailed Deer
Primitive Firearms (Muzzleloader)
See deer hunting regulations.
Zone: Zone 1-14
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Nearby deer seasons
Massachusetts Deer Season FAQ
When does deer season open in Massachusetts?
January 1, 2026 is the earliest listed deer opener in Massachusetts — winter deer season white-tailed deer runs Jan 1-Feb 14, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with Massachusetts DFW.
What are the 2026 deer season dates in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts lists 9 deer season windows: Winter Deer Season White-tailed Deer (Jan 1-Feb 14, 2026); Early Deer Season White-tailed Deer (Sep 21-Oct 1, 2026); Youth Hunt White-tailed Deer (Oct 3-3, 2026); Youth White-tailed Deer (Oct 3-3, 2026); Archery White-tailed Deer (Oct 5-Nov 28, 2026); Paraplegic Hunt White-tailed Deer (Oct 29-31, 2026); Shotgun White-tailed Deer (Nov 30-Dec 12, 2026); Muzzleloader White-tailed Deer (Dec 14-31, 2026); and more. Always verify against Massachusetts DFW before hunting.
Are there different deer seasons in Massachusetts?
Yes — Massachusetts lists separate deer seasons for Winter Deer Season White-tailed Deer, Early Deer Season White-tailed Deer, Youth Hunt White-tailed Deer, Youth White-tailed Deer, Archery White-tailed Deer, Paraplegic Hunt White-tailed Deer. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Massachusetts DFW.
Do I need a license to hunt deer in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and deer hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Massachusetts DFW.