Hunting in Massachusetts: Top Spots for Hunting in the Bay State

According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Bay State is the third most densely populated state in the country. This environment makes the Massachusetts prime hunting country for deer, bear, wild turkey, and small game.

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Hunters should keep these areas in mind when hitting the woods in Massachusetts:

Deer

The state of Massachusetts is divided into 15 wildlife management zones. If looking to bag a buck in Massachusetts, the state has a plentiful harvest each year. According to Game and Fish Magazine, the 2014 harvest results note the key areas hunters should check out are Zone 11, which had 2,660 deer harvested, and Zone 10, where 2,340 deer were taken. Additionally, the most productive hunting areas of the state are primarily the western and eastern regions.

Black Bear

The black bear population in Massachusetts has grown exponentially since 1970, resulting in two seasons for hunting black bear. The areas with the highest harvest of black bear in Massachusetts historically are the counties of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire.

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Wild Turkey

Wild turkey seasons take place in both the spring and fall in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs harvest information for the last decade indicates the most turkey are taken from the counties of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Plymouth, and Worcester. Worcester accounts for the highest percentages of the harvest annually.

Small Game

Rabbits can be found in abundance throughout the state in Massachusetts. A good area for rabbit is the Crane Pond Wildlife Management Area. The state's central and eastern districts boast great cottontail numbers as well.

The Crane area is comprised of 2,100 acres also a good region for pheasants and quail. Pheasants are stocked in the area annually.

Hunters should keep in mind that all hunting in Massachusetts is illegal on Sundays. Additional restrictions also apply to different wildlife management areas in regards to firearms and bag limits. For more information and the most up-to-date harvest numbers, visit the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs website.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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