enses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 MA hunt with our comprehensive guide—season dates, bag limits, license requirements, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to wild turkey to waterfowl. Whether you’re drawing an arrow for a rutting buck at dawn, setting shotgun decoys for teal in coastal marshes, or tracking coyote in winter woodlands, the Bay State offers well‑timed seasons and clear regulations across its varied habitats. What Is There to Hunt in Massachusetts? Massachusetts supports a variety of game: Big Game: Whitetail deer, wild turkey, black bear (limited draw) Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, pheasant (stocked), ruffed grouse (WMAs) Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal), geese, coots, rails, mourning dove Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, raccoon, fox, bobcat (with permit) From coastal salt marshes to Berkshire forests, hunters pursue big game and small game year‑round under clear guidelines. What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Massachusetts? On private lands, unprotected species like coyote, raccoon, and opossum carry no closed season and no bag limits, providing off‑season predator‑control opportunities. Public‑land and WMA hunts must adhere strictly to posted season dates and method restrictions. Massachusetts Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26 Whitetail Deer Archery (Zone A): Sept 20 – Nov 1, 2025 Archery (Zone B): Oct 1 – Nov 8 Shotgun: Nov 11 – Nov 29 Rifle: Dec 1 – Dec 10 Youth Hunt: Oct 18 – 19 (Zones A & B) Muzzleloader: Dec 1 – Dec 10 Archery and firearm windows offer diverse weapon options; bag limit is 2 deer per season (max 1 buck). Wild Turkey (Spring) Season: Apr 8 – May 18, 2026 Youth: Apr 3 – 5, 2026 Fall Youth & Apprentice: Sept 1 – Oct 31, 2025 Spring turkey hunts blend bow and shotgun seasons. Young hunters get dedicated days, and fall archery seasons provide extra opportunity. Black Bear Limited Entry: Oct 15 – Nov 15, 2025 (draw only) Bear permits are issued by lottery; strict tagging and reporting maintain healthy populations in Berkshire zone. Massachusetts Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26 Small Game & Upland Birds Rabbit & Squirrel: Oct 1 – Feb 28, 2026 Pheasant: Oct 15 – Nov 14, 2025 (WMAs only) Ruffed Grouse: Oct 1 – Nov 30, 2025 (WMAs) Walk CRP fields and woodland edges for small game; shotguns with non‑toxic shot are required. Waterfowl & Migratory Birds Duck: Oct 25 – Jan 10, 2026 Goose: Oct 1 – Jan 15, 2026 Youth Waterfowl Day: Sept 27 – 28, 2025 Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Dec 31, 2025 Dove: Sept 1 – Nov 20, 2025 Hours: Sunrise – sunset; Federal Duck Stamp & HIP registration required Coastal impoundments and tidal flats host peak waterfowl migrations; hunters must carry the proper license and approvals. Bag Limits by Species Whitetail Deer: 2 total; max 1 buck Wild Turkey: 2 per spring; 1 fall youth Duck: 6 per day; species sub‑limits apply Goose: 3 per day Coot & Rail: 15 per day each Dove: 15 per day Rabbit & Squirrel: 8 per day each Coyote & Furbearers: No limits on private land Bag limits ensure sustainable harvests of big game, small game, and waterfowl across varied habitats. License & Tags Information for Massachusetts Hunters (2025–26) All hunters must carry a valid MassWildlife hunting license and applicable permits: Resident Annual License: $57 Nonresident License: $122 Deer & Turkey Permits: Included with base license; bear permit by lottery Migratory Bird Permit & Federal Duck Stamp: Required for ducks and doves Hunter Education: Certification required for first‑time hunters Licenses fund wildlife conservation; applications for draw hunts open online in early summer. Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader Massachusetts permits: Archery: Compound, recurve, crossbows (archery seasons) Firearms: Shotguns (migratory birds) and center‑fire rifles (deer) Muzzleloaders: Permitted in designated window Dogs & Bait: Allowed for waterfowl and upland hunts in WMAs Ensure compliance with caliber and draw weight requirements for each season and zone. Regulations & Resources MassWildlife regulations outline: Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset WMA & Zone Maps: Available online for deer, turkey, and waterfowl areas Harvest Reporting: Mandatory for deer and turkey within 48 hrs Special Areas: Deer yard closures, sanctuary zones, and migratory‑bird refuges Always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements via the official Season Summary PDF before every hunt. Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt. This guide was created based on information from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife): https://www.mass.gov/hunting-regulations With clear seasons, defined bag limits, and accessible license structures, Massachusetts offers memorable hunting across woodlands, fields, and coastal marshes. Prepare your bow or rifle, secure the proper permits, and enjoy a safe, ethical 2025–26 hunting season in the Bay State.