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THE SEASON ATLAS / MA

Massachusetts
hunting seasons.

Explore 2026 & 2027 season sources, publication status, and game species for your next hunt.

MA / UNITED STATES
AGENCY Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and WildlifeRESEARCH CHECK November 8, 2026Official hunting regulations ↗
PLAN WITH THE SEASONS

Your 2026 field calendar.

2026 seasons published

The agency has published a 2026–27 guide or season schedule. Only selected dates are transcribed here; check the original regulations and individual public-land rules.

Official 2026 information ↗
3 verified date entries

Selected agency dates are indexed below. This is not a complete legal calendar. Unit rules, tags, sex and age restrictions, closures, and special hunts can change which dates apply. Use the source beside each entry.

Gray squirrel

General hunting

Zones 1–14

No Sunday hunting; closed during shotgun deer season, November 30–December 12.

Ruffed grouse

General hunting

Zones 1–14

No Sunday hunting; check bag limits and individual property access.

White-tailed deer

Shotgun

Zones 1–14

No Sunday hunting; license, antlerless permits and firearm rules apply.

UNDERSTAND THE WILDLIFE

Massachusetts game species & hunting information.

These species and groups appear in agency hunting resources. Their presence in the state does not mean every public area offers a hunt. “Native” describes origin, “reintroduced” describes restoration, and “migratory” describes movement; these are not population counts. Origin is left unverified when the reviewed source does not establish it.

Big game

White-tailed deer

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Black bear

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Wild turkey

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Small game

Gray squirrel

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Cottontail rabbit

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Snowshoe hare

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Red squirrel

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Flying squirrel

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Chipmunk

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Porcupine

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Woodchuck

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Upland birds

Pheasant

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Bobwhite quail

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Ruffed grouse

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Furbearers

Bobcat

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Coyote

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Red fox

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Gray fox

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Opossum

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Raccoon

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Skunk

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Weasel

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Other game

European starling

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

English sparrow

Origin not verified

Agency-listed hunting target; local access, methods and limits apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Crow

Origin not verified

Agency crow-hunting category; special dates and permitted days apply. Population origin not verified.

Agency species information ↗

Migratory birds

Ducks

Migratory

Only duck species authorized by the agency are included; closed species and species-specific bag limits are excluded. Some populations are resident.

Agency species information ↗

Mergansers

Migratory

Managed under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.

Agency species information ↗

Sea ducks

Migratory

Managed under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.

Agency species information ↗

Coot

Migratory

Managed under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.

Agency species information ↗

Canada goose

Migratory

Managed under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.

Agency species information ↗

Snow goose

Migratory

Managed under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.

Agency species information ↗

Brant

Migratory

Managed under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.

Agency species information ↗

American woodcock

Migratory

Managed under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.

Agency species information ↗

Sora rail

Migratory

Managed under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.

Agency species information ↗

Virginia rail

Migratory

Managed under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.

Agency species information ↗

Snipe

Migratory

Managed under migratory-bird regulations; resident populations may also occur. Species limits and local closures apply.

Agency species information ↗
THE SOURCE OF TRUTH

Check the details.
Then head for the horizon.

Confirm the unit, season, license, method, bag limit, and current closures with Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Public-land rules may be more restrictive than statewide seasons.

Official season calendar ↗Explore Massachusetts on the land map →