Free Tool · No account required

Is deer season open in Massachusetts?

Every Massachusetts deer season we have read for 2026-27 from Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), open or closed on the day you pick, and when the next one opens.

Massachusetts deer seasons 2026-27

Massachusetts's Shotgun Deer Season runs Nov 30 to Dec 12, 2026.

Hunting is not allowed on Sundays in Massachusetts.

Early Deer Season · Wildlife Management Zones 13 and 14 onlySep 21 to Oct 1
Youth Deer Hunt · youth hunters aged 12-17 with a Youth Deer Hunt permit onlyOct 2 to Oct 3
Archery Deer SeasonOct 5 to Nov 28
Paraplegic Hunt (hunters with disabilities) · hunters with paraplegia, by application onlyOct 29 to Oct 31
Shotgun Deer SeasonNov 30 to Dec 12
Primitive Firearms Deer SeasonDec 14 to Dec 31
Winter Deer Season (zones 9, 10, 11) · Wildlife Management Zones 9, 10 and 11 onlyJan 1 to Jan 30
Winter Deer Season (zones 13 and 14) · Wildlife Management Zones 13 and 14 onlyJan 1 to Feb 13

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife). Deer hunting regulations (Mass.gov, MassWildlife), checked November 2026.

Deer Season DatesMassachusetts · 2026-27

Which state?

Which day?

Deer season · Massachusetts · Today

Season open

Yes. Massachusetts's Archery Deer Season is open today, Oct 5 to Nov 28.

Early Deer Season · Wildlife Management Zones 13 and 14
Youth Deer Hunt
Archery Deer Season
Paraplegic Hunt (hunters with disabilities)
Shotgun Deer Season
Primitive Firearms Deer Season
Winter Deer Season (zones 9, 10, 11) · Wildlife Management Zones 9, 10 and 11
Winter Deer Season (zones 13 and 14) · Wildlife Management Zones 13 and 14

OctNovDecJanFeb

Early Deer SeasonOther
Sep 21 to Oct 1
Wildlife Management Zones 13 and 14 only
Massachusetts's wording
"Early Deer Season (zones 13 and 14): Sept. 21–Oct. 1, 2026"
Youth Deer HuntYouth
Oct 2 to Oct 3
Youth hunters aged 12-17 with a Youth Deer Hunt permit only
Massachusetts's wording
"Youth Deer Hunt : Oct. 2 and 3, 2026 | A free Youth Deer Hunt permit is needed to hunt deer during the Youth Deer Hunt and may also be used during any open deer season."
Archery Deer SeasonArcheryOpen
Oct 5 to Nov 28
Massachusetts's wording
"Archery Deer Season: Oct. 5–Nov. 28, 2026"
Paraplegic Hunt (hunters with disabilities)Other
Oct 29 to Oct 31
Hunters with paraplegia, by application only
Massachusetts's wording
"Paraplegic Hunt : Oct. 29–31, 2026 | Please note, participation in this special hunt is limited to individuals with paraplegia."
Shotgun Deer SeasonFirearm
Nov 30 to Dec 12
Massachusetts's wording
"Shotgun Deer Season: Nov. 30–Dec. 12, 2026"
Primitive Firearms Deer SeasonMuzzleloader
Dec 14 to Dec 31
Massachusetts's wording
"Primitive Firearms Deer Season: Dec. 14–31, 2026"
Winter Deer Season (zones 9, 10, 11)Late
Jan 1 to Jan 30
Wildlife Management Zones 9, 10 and 11 only
Massachusetts's wording
"Winter Deer Season (zones 9,10,11): Jan. 1–30, 2027"
Winter Deer Season (zones 13 and 14)Late
Jan 1 to Feb 13
Wildlife Management Zones 13 and 14 only
Massachusetts's wording
"Winter Deer Season (zones 13 and 14): Jan. 1–Feb. 13, 2027"

Sundays

Hunting is not allowed on Sundays in Massachusetts.

"Hunting is prohibited on Sundays."

Hunter orange

"Youth Deer Hunt, Shotgun Season, Primitive Firearms Season, Winter Deer Season, and Early Deer Season: 500 square inches of blaze orange on the chest, back, and head"

Hunting in Massachusetts

15 outfitters, guides and lodges listed in Massachusetts. Legal shooting hours in Massachusetts today.

See Massachusetts outfitters

Common questions

Deer season questions

Massachusetts's Shotgun Deer Season runs Nov 30 to Dec 12, 2026. Source: Deer hunting regulations (Mass.gov, MassWildlife).

Massachusetts's Archery Deer Season opens Oct 5, 2026. Source: Deer hunting regulations (Mass.gov, MassWildlife).

Hunting is not allowed on Sundays in Massachusetts. Massachusetts's rule says: "Hunting is prohibited on Sundays."

Massachusetts's rule says: "Youth Deer Hunt, Shotgun Season, Primitive Firearms Season, Winter Deer Season, and Early Deer Season: 500 square inches of blaze orange on the chest, back, and head"

More free tools