2017 Massachusetts Hunting Seasons
A tradition for many families, hunting is an exciting escape into nature. Your reward of patiently waiting in a tree stand or hunting blind is the satisfaction of taking responsibility for your own food, or finally bagging that trophy buck. Discount Ramps has all the hunting dates for Massachusetts, and the necessary hunting equipment to ensure a successful year.
This is a general guide to season dates. For more information, visit the MassWildlife website.
Black Bear
| Zones | Season | First Day | Last Day |
| 1-14 | First Season | Sept. 5 | Sept. 23 |
| 1-14 | Second Season | Nov. 6 | Nov. 25 |
| 1-14 | Shotgun Season | Nov. 27 | Dec. 9 |
Upland Game Birds
Upland game bird hunting is closed during shotgun deer season.
Wild Turkey
| Season | Zones | First Day | Last Day |
| Spring | 1-13 | April 24 | May 20 |
| Fall | 1-13 | Oct. 23 | Nov. 4 |
| Youth Hunt | 1-13 | April 22 | April 22 |
Crow
| Zones | First Day | Last Day |
| 1-14 | Jan. 2 | April 10 |
| 1-14 | July 1 | April 10, 2018 |
Pheasant
| Zones | First Day | Last Day |
| 1-14 | Oct. 14 | Nov. 25 |
Quail
| Zones | First Day | Last Day |
| 11-14 | Oct. 14 | Nov. 25 |
Ruffed Grouse
| Zones | First Day | Last Day |
| 1-14 | Oct. 14 | Nov. 25 |
Deer
| Season | First Day | Last Day |
| Youth Deer Hunt | Sept. 30 | Sept. 30 |
| Paraplegic Hunt | Nov. 2 | Nov. 4 |
| Archery | Oct. 16 | Nov. 25 |
| Shotgun | Nov. 27 | Dec. 9 |
| Primitive Firearms | Dec. 11 | Dec. 30 |
Rabbits and Squirrel
Cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, jackrabbit, and gray squirrel hunting are closed during shotgun deer season.
Cottontail Rabbit
| Zones | First Day | Last Day |
| 1-12 | Jan. 2 | Feb. 28 |
| 1-12 | Oct. 14 | Feb. 28, 2018 |
| 13 and 14 | Jan. 2 | Feb. 28 |
| 1-12 | Nov. 15 | Feb. 28, 2018 |
Snowshoe Hare
| Zones | First Day | Last Day |
| 1-4 | Jan. 2 | Feb. 28 |
| 1-4 | Oct. 14 | Feb. 28, 2018 |
| 5-12 | Jan. 2 | Feb. 4 |
| 5-12 | Oct. 14 | Feb. 5, 2018 |
| 13-14 | Jan. 2 | Feb. 4 |
| 13-14 | Nov. 14 | Feb. 5, 2018 |
Jackrabbit
| Zones | First Day | Last Day |
| 14 | Nov. 15 | Dec. 30 |
Gray Squirrel
| Zones | First Day | Last Day |
| 1-9 | Sept. 11 | Jan. 2, 2018 |
| 10-14 | Oct. 14 | Jan. 2, 2018 |
Furbearers
All furbearer hunting seasons are closed during the shotgun deer season except for Coyotes.
Bobcat
| Zones | First Day | Last Day |
| 1-8 | Jan. 2 | March 8 |
| 1-8 | Dec. 20 | Mar. 8, 2018 |
Coyote
| Zones | First Day | Last Day |
| 1-14 | Jan. 2 | Mar. 8, 2018 |
| 1-14 | Oct. 14 | Mar. 8, 2018 |
Fox (red or gray)
| Zones | First Day | Last Day |
| 1-14 | Jan. 2 | Feb. 28 |
| 1-14 | Nov. 1 | Feb. 28, 2018 |
Raccoon
| Zones | First Day | Last Day |
| 1-14 | Jan. 2 | Jan. 31 |
| 1-14 | Oct. 2 | Jan. 31, 2018 |
Opossum
| Zones | First Day | Last Day |
| 1-14 | Jan. 2 | Jan. 31 |
| 1-14 | Oct. 2 | Jan. 31, 2018 |
Other Helpful Resources
Find more How-to Guides and Articles
