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Massachusetts Hunting Season Dates 2026–27

Season openers, closers, and tag requirements by species. Always confirm against MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (MassWildlife) before you hunt. Dates can change.

License: resident $57 · nonresident $122. Species tags and permits are extra. See each section below.

White-tailed Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Early Deer Season (archery or muzzleloader) - islands only: Wildlife Management Zones 13 and 14 (the islands)Sep 21, 2026Oct 1, 20262026 Hunting/Sporting License; no stamp required
Youth Deer HuntOct 2, 2026Oct 3, 2026Free Youth Deer Hunt Permit (ages 12-17)
Archery Deer SeasonOct 5, 2026Nov 28, 20262026 License + Archery Stamp; Antlerless Deer Permit for antlerless
Paraplegic Deer HuntOct 29, 2026Oct 31, 2026Paraplegic Hunt permit
Shotgun Deer SeasonNov 30, 2026Dec 12, 20262026 License, no stamp required; Antlerless Deer Permit for antlerless
Primitive Firearms Deer SeasonDec 14, 2026Dec 31, 20262026 License + Primitive Firearms Stamp; Antlerless Deer Permit for antlerless
Winter Deer Season (archery or primitive firearms) - zones 9, 10 and 11: Wildlife Management Zones 9, 10 and 11Jan 1, 2027Jan 30, 20272027 License, no stamp required; 2027 Antlerless Deer Permit for antlerless
Winter Deer Season (archery or primitive firearms) - islands: Wildlife Management Zones 13 and 14 (the islands)Jan 1, 2027Feb 13, 20272027 License + free Winter Deer Permit (zones 13/14); 2027 Antlerless Deer Permit for additional antlerless

Wild Turkey Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Fall Turkey - archery only (first segment): Wildlife Management Zones 1 through 13Oct 5, 2026Oct 17, 20262026 License + Turkey Permit
Fall Turkey - shotgun, muzzleloading shotgun or archery (second segment): Wildlife Management Zones 1 through 13Oct 19, 2026Oct 31, 20262026 License + Turkey Permit
Fall Turkey - archery only (third segment): Wildlife Management Zones 1 through 13Nov 2, 2026Nov 28, 20262026 License + Turkey Permit

Black Bear Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Bear Season - first segment (revolver, rifle, muzzleloader or archery)Sep 7, 2026Oct 1, 20262026 License + Bear Permit
Bear Season during the Youth Deer Hunt (muzzleloader or archery; youth may also use shotgun)Oct 2, 2026Oct 3, 20262026 License + Bear Permit; youth aged 12-17 need the free Youth Bear Permit and Youth Deer Hunt Permit
Bear Season - second segment (rifle, muzzleloader or archery)Oct 5, 2026Nov 28, 20262026 License + Bear Permit
Bear Season - shotgun segment (shotgun, muzzleloader or archery)Nov 30, 2026Dec 12, 20262026 License + Bear Permit

Beaver Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 1, 2026Apr 15, 2027Trapping License; pelt sealing required

Bobcat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting: Wildlife Management Zones 1 through 8Dec 21, 2026Mar 8, 20272026 License through Dec 31, then 2027 License; pelt sealing required
Trapping: Wildlife Management Zones 1 through 8Nov 1, 2026Nov 30, 2026Trapping License; pelt sealing required

Eastern Coyote Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 17, 2026Mar 8, 20272026 License through Dec 31, then 2027 License

American Crow Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays only)Jul 1, 2026Apr 10, 20272026 License through Dec 31, then 2027 License

Fisher Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 1, 2026Nov 22, 2026Trapping License; pelt sealing required

Red and Gray Fox Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularNov 2, 2026Feb 27, 20272026 License through Dec 31, then 2027 License

Ruffed Grouse Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 17, 2026Nov 28, 20262026 Hunting/Sporting License

Mink Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 1, 2026Dec 15, 2026Trapping License; pelt sealing required

Muskrat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License

Virginia Opossum Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 1, 2026Jan 30, 20272026 License through Dec 31, then 2027 License

River Otter Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 1, 2026Dec 15, 2026Trapping License; pelt sealing required

Ring-necked Pheasant Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 17, 2026Dec 31, 20262026 License + Pheasant/Quail Permit
Youth Pheasant Hunt daysSep 5, 2026Oct 10, 2026Youth Pheasant Hunt registration

Northern Bobwhite Quail Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 17, 2026Dec 31, 20262026 License + Pheasant/Quail Permit

Rabbit & Hare Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 17, 2026Feb 27, 20272026 License through Dec 31, then 2027 License
Snowshoe Hare: RegularOct 17, 2026Feb 27, 20272026 License through Dec 31, then 2027 License

Raccoon Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 1, 2026Jan 30, 20272026 License through Dec 31, then 2027 License

Sora and Virginia Rail Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Sora railSep 1, 2026Nov 6, 2026License + HIP Registration
Virginia railSep 1, 2026Nov 6, 2026License + HIP Registration

Striped Skunk Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License
Hunting - unprotected species, open year roundJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting/Sporting License

Wilson's Snipe Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 1, 2026Dec 15, 2026License + HIP Registration

Gray Squirrel Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 8, 2026Feb 27, 20272026 License through Dec 31, then 2027 License

Unprotected Species (English sparrow, starling, red squirrel, flying squirrel, chipmunk, porcupine, woodchuck, skunk, weasel) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round open seasonJul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting/Sporting License

Waterfowl (Ducks, Mergansers, Sea Ducks, Coot, Canada and Snow Geese, Brant) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Ducks, mergansers, sea ducks and coot (first segment) - Berkshire Zone: Berkshire Waterfowl ZoneOct 12, 2026Nov 28, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Ducks, mergansers, sea ducks and coot (second segment) - Berkshire Zone: Berkshire Waterfowl ZoneDec 14, 2026Jan 2, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Ducks, mergansers, sea ducks and coot (first segment) - Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneOct 10, 2026Nov 28, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Ducks, mergansers, sea ducks and coot (second segment) - Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneDec 15, 2026Jan 2, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Ducks, mergansers, sea ducks and coot (first segment) - Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneOct 10, 2026Oct 17, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Ducks, mergansers, sea ducks and coot (second segment) - Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneNov 27, 2026Jan 27, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Early Canada goose - Berkshire Zone: Berkshire Waterfowl ZoneSep 1, 2026Sep 25, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Early Canada goose - Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneSep 1, 2026Sep 25, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Early Canada goose - Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneSep 1, 2026Sep 25, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Regular Canada goose - Berkshire Zone: Berkshire Waterfowl ZoneOct 12, 2026Nov 28, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Regular Canada goose (first segment) - Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneOct 10, 2026Nov 28, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Regular Canada goose (second segment) - Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneDec 15, 2026Jan 2, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Regular Canada goose (first segment) - Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneOct 10, 2026Oct 17, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Regular Canada goose (second segment) - Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneNov 27, 2026Jan 27, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Late Canada goose - Berkshire Zone: Berkshire Waterfowl ZoneDec 15, 2026Feb 13, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Late Canada goose - Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneJan 16, 2027Feb 13, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Late Canada goose - North Coastal portion only: North Coastal portion of the Coastal Waterfowl ZoneJan 28, 2027Feb 13, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Snow goose (first segment) - Berkshire Zone: Berkshire Waterfowl ZoneOct 12, 2026Nov 28, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Snow goose (second segment) - Berkshire Zone: Berkshire Waterfowl ZoneDec 14, 2026Jan 2, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Snow goose (first segment) - Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneOct 10, 2026Nov 28, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Snow goose (second segment) - Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneDec 15, 2026Jan 2, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Late snow goose - Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneJan 16, 2027Feb 13, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Snow goose (first segment) - Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneOct 10, 2026Oct 17, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Snow goose (second segment) - Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneNov 27, 2026Jan 27, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Late snow goose - North Coastal portion only: North Coastal portion of the Coastal Waterfowl ZoneJan 28, 2027Feb 13, 2027License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Brant - Coastal Zone only: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneNov 27, 2026Dec 31, 2026License + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp + MA Waterfowl Stamp
Youth Waterfowl Hunt daysSep 26, 2026Oct 3, 2026Youth waterfowl hunt; HIP required
Active Military and Veterans Waterfowl Hunt daysSep 26, 2026Oct 3, 2026Military/Veteran waterfowl hunt; HIP + Federal Duck Stamp
Falconry - ducks and coot onlyOct 10, 2026Feb 9, 2027Falconry Permit + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp

Weasel Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 1, 2026Nov 30, 2026Trapping License

American Woodcock Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 1, 2026Nov 21, 2026License + HIP Registration
Verify before you hunt. These dates are compiled for planning and can change between when they're published and when the season opens, and many states vary dates by unit, zone, or WMU. Always confirm with MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (MassWildlife) before heading out. Nothing here is legal advice.
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