Hunting in Massachusetts
Everything you need to hunt legally in Massachusetts. Access shooting hours calculators, season dates, bag limits, license costs, and hunter education requirements all in one place.
Quick Facts
Digital License
Accepted in field
License Year
January 1 - December 31
Wildlife Agency
MassWildlife
Draw System
random points
Updated: January 2026
Massachusetts Hunting Tools
Free calculators and lookup tools to help you hunt legally in Massachusetts.
Shooting Hours Calculator
30 minutes before sunrise
Calculate legal shooting times in Massachusetts based on your exact location and date. Know exactly when you can start and stop hunting.
Season Dates Finder
3 species tracked
Find all Massachusetts hunting season dates by species and method. Deer, turkey, waterfowl, and more with archery, rifle, and muzzleloader dates.
License Cost Calculator
From $57 resident
Compare Massachusetts hunting license prices for residents and non-residents. Find the best value licenses and required permits.
Bag Limits Lookup
15 species covered
Massachusetts bag limits by species. Daily limits, possession limits, and season limits for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game.
Hunter Education Requirements
Online courses accepted
Massachusetts hunter education requirements. Find out if you need certification, available exemptions, and approved course providers.
Complete License Guide
All license types & pricing
Detailed guide to all Massachusetts hunting and fishing licenses, draw systems, official app info, and state-specific requirements.
Massachusetts License Costs
Compare resident and non-resident hunting license prices for 2026.
| License Type | Resident | Non-Res |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting | $57.00 | $122.00 |
| Resident Big Game | $57.00 | $200.00 |
| Resident Fishing | $33.00 | $43.00 |
| Antlerless Deer Permit | $5.00 | $10.00 |
Massachusetts Hunting Seasons
Upcoming and current hunting seasons in Massachusetts.
Deer
Archery
Oct 13
to Nov 29
Deer
Shotgun
Dec 1
to Dec 13
Deer
Muzzleloader
Dec 15
to Dec 31
Turkey
Apr 27
to May 24
Waterfowl
Shotgun (Coastal Zone)
Oct 7
to Nov 22
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
MassWildlife
Digital License Info: Digital licenses available through MassWildlife online system.
Hunter Education
Massachusetts requirements
Neighboring States
Hunting resources for states near Massachusetts.
Store Your Massachusetts License in Hunter Passport
Keep your MA hunting and fishing licenses alongside all your other states. Works completely offline, displays instantly to game wardens.