MA Deer Primitive Firearms

Deer

Hunting hours begin ½ hour before sunrise and close ½ hour after sunset except as noted in WMA Reg. #10 (page 23 of the e-regulations).

ANTLERED DEER: Any deer with at least 1 antler 3 inches long measured on a straight line from the center of the front base of the antler burr to the tip.

ANTLERLESS DEER: Any deer without antlers or both antlers less than 3 inches long measured on a straight line from the center of the front base of the antler burr
to the tip

ANTLERLESS DEER PERMIT: A permit is required to take antlerless deer during any deer season. To apply for an antlerless deer
permit, hunters must apply online or at a license vendor by July 16. Hunters may only apply for 1 permit in a specific Wildlife Management
Zone (see WMZ map, page 24). The application is submitted through the MassFishHunt system by any license vendor, or
online. To obtain a permit, applicants must return to the MassFishHunt system during the Instant Award period (Aug. 1 – Dec. 31)
and try to draw an antlerless deer permit in the zone to which they applied. Notification of whether the applicant was successful or
not will be instant. Selection is random and the odds of drawing a permit remain the same throughout the Instant Award period.
Instant Award permit issuance is NOT first come-first-served. The odds of drawing a permit depend on the number of antlerless
deer permits issued for a given zone and the number of hunters that applied for that zone. Successful applicants will be assessed
a $5.00 fee and may print the permit immediately or at a later date. Any permits for undersubscribed zones will go on sale in October
with details announced in September.

NOTE: Antlerless deer permits are valid during any deer season in the specified zone only (see Zone map, page 24) and must be in the hunter’s possession while
deer hunting. Each antlerless deer permit is valid for one antlerless deer. A hunter may possess antlerless deer permits for more than one zone (e.g., drawing a Zone 5 with
Instant Award and purchasing an additional antlerless deer permit for an undersubscribed zone, such as Zone 14). Antlerless deer permits are nontransferable.

TAGGING AND CHECKING REQUIREMENTS:
Upon killing a deer hunters must immediately fill out and detach paper tag from permit/license and attach tag to deer prior to moving it, and then must check/report
their harvest within 48 hours by EITHER 1) reporting online and writing the harvest confirmation number on the tag attached
to the deer (see page 27 for details), or 2) checking the deer at an official check station. EXCEPTION: All deer harvested during the
2-week shotgun season must be brought to an official check station. Until checked/ reported, the deer or part of deer must
remain open to view during transport AND must remain intact or whole (deer may be field-dressed, but not butchered, skinned, or
taken to a taxidermist for mounting).

PRIMITIVE FIREARMS DEER SEASON: Primitive Firearms Stamp required. Hunters may use only shoulder-fired muzzleloaders .44 caliber to .775 caliber;
barrel length 18 inches or more with only one barrel operational. Inline ignition systems are permitted providing rifle loads from the muzzle. Single projectile only
(no buckshot). Sabot rounds, 209 primers, break/hinge-action muzzleloaders, and scopes are legal. Powder limited to black
powder or black powder substitutes. A muzzleloader is considered unloaded when cap or pan powder is removed. Archers
may hunt during the muzzleloader firearms season but must purchase a Primitive Firearms Stamp. All deer hunters must wear at
least 500 square inches of hunter orange on head, back, and chest during the primitive firearms season.

BLAZE ORANGE: All hunters, including bowhunters, must wear a minimum of 500 square inches of “blaze orange” on their head, chest, and back during shotgun and
muzzleloader seasons. Cap and vest will suffice.

DAILY BAG: The daily bag limit is determined by the number of valid tags or permits a hunter possesses and whether or not the hunter has checked/reported any deer. No
hunter may have more than 2 unreported deer in possession at any time, with the exception of Zones 13 and 14, where no hunter may have more than 4 unreported
deer in possession at any time. All deer must be checked/reported within 48 hours of being killed.

SEASON LIMIT: Two antlered deer, and as many antlerless deer as the hunter has
valid permits. Note: Hunters may purchase additional antlerless deer permits for available zones.

DRIVING DEER while hunting is lawful.

BAITING OF DEER is prohibited during any deer season and any bait made available to deer must be removed 10 days prior to the opening of the first day of archery deer season. Bait includes any natural or artificial substance which may be ingested that is used to entice deer

NOTE: Season Dates, bag limits and rules are subject to change! This calendar is intended to be used as a quick reference only. Please check the official website for any updates before hunting. We will not be held responsible for outdated information, it is the individual’s responsibility to do your due diligence before hunting. http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/