Massachusetts Hunting & Fishing
Season Calendar 2026

Massachusetts archery deer season runs Oct 14–Nov 26 statewide; any legal archery equipment including compound bow, recurve, longbow, and crossbow is authorized. Hunters must possess a valid Massachusetts hunting license and deer stamp. The bag limit is two deer per license year, only one of which may be an antlered buck; antlerless deer require an antlerless deer permit. The urban fringe zones around Boston, Springfield, and Worcester operate under expanded antlerless harvest programs. Massachusetts whitetails enter peak rut from late October through mid-November — transition routes between suburban cover and agricultural edges are among the most productive locations.

Massachusetts shotgun deer season runs Nov 23–Dec 6; legal methods are restricted to shotguns with slugs, muzzleloaders, and designated primitive firearms — centerfire rifles are not legal for deer hunting in Massachusetts. Hunters must possess a valid Massachusetts hunting license and deer stamp. A minimum 210 square inch blaze orange requirement applies to the upper body during shotgun season. The bag limit is two deer per license year (one antlered) with antlerless permit requirements remaining in effect. Late November shotgun season typically catches bucks in post-rut recovery mode feeding on acorns, apples, and agricultural waste grain.

Massachusetts spring turkey season runs Apr 28–May 21 targeting eastern wild turkey gobblers only; hens are protected. Legal methods include shotguns, archery, and crossbows; electronic calls are prohibited during spring season. Hunters must possess a valid Massachusetts hunting license and spring turkey permit limited to one gobbler per season. MassWildlife requires hunters to tag harvested turkeys and check them in through the online system within 48 hours. Massachusetts turkey populations are robust statewide — the Connecticut River Valley and Berkshire foothills are particularly productive areas for spring gobbler hunting.

Massachusetts fall wild turkey season runs Oct 1–Nov 30; both gobblers and hens may be harvested during fall season. Legal methods include shotguns, archery, and crossbows. Hunters must possess a valid Massachusetts hunting license and turkey permit limited to two birds during fall season. Fall turkey hunting relies on locating and scattering flocks then using kee-kee and yelp calls to reassemble scattered birds. Massachusetts holds strong turkey populations statewide following successful reintroduction — western and central Massachusetts hill country and agricultural edges hold the best densities.

Massachusetts ruffed grouse season runs Oct 17–Feb 28; hunters must possess a valid Massachusetts hunting license — no additional stamp is required for upland birds. There is no daily bag limit for ruffed grouse in Massachusetts, though bag limits may be applied by regulation change — verify current MassWildlife regulations. Massachusetts grouse populations have declined significantly due to forest maturation and loss of early successional habitat. Prime grouse cover exists in young aspen stands, alder thickets, and briar edges — MassWildlife's Young Forest Initiative is actively managing habitat to support grouse recovery in western Massachusetts.