Massachusetts

Massachusetts Hunting License: Cost, Requirements & How to Apply (2026)

Complete guide to Massachusetts hunting license costs, requirements, seasons, and regulations for the Calendar year (Jan 1 – Dec 31) season.

Last updated: March 2026

Resident License $40 General hunting

Non-Resident License $112 General hunting

Hunter Education Required Born after 1960-01-01

Online Purchase Yes Calendar year (Jan 1 – Dec 31)

LICENSE FEES

Massachusetts Hunting License Fees 2026

Current hunting license costs for residents and non-residents. License year: Calendar year (Jan 1 – Dec 31).

Resident Licenses

Resident Hunting (18-64) $40 —

Resident Sporting (Hunt + Fish) $75 —

Resident Hunting (65-69) $20 —

Resident Sporting (65-69) $37.50 —

Resident Minor Hunting (15-17) $6.50 —

Resident Senior (70+) Free —

Non-Resident Licenses

Non-Resident Big Game Hunting (15+) — $112

Non-Resident Small Game Hunting (15+) — $78

Tags & Permits

Antlerless Deer Permit $10 $30

Turkey Permit $10 $30

Bear Permit $10 $30

Youth Bear Permit (12-17) Free Free

Endorsements & Stamps

Wildlands Conservation Stamp $5 Added to first license per year (res); on ALL NR licenses; funds conservation

Archery Deer Season Stamp $10 Required for archery deer season; NR: $30

Primitive Firearms Deer Stamp $10 Required for muzzleloader deer season; NR: $30

Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp $5 Required for waterfowl hunting in MA

Federal Duck Stamp $25 Required for waterfowl 16+; valid Jul 1 – Jun 30

HIP Certification Free Free; required for migratory bird hunters

PURCHASE

How to Buy a Massachusetts Hunting License

Multiple convenient options to get your license quickly.

Buy Online (Recommended)

Visit massfishhunt.com. Create account or sign in. Select hunting ($40) or sporting ($75) license. Add archery stamp ($10), muzzleloader stamp ($10) if needed. Add turkey ($10) or bear ($10) permits. Apply for antlerless deer permits (zone lottery). $5 Wildlands Stamp auto-added; print license and tags

Buy In Person

Local sporting goods stores, Town clerk offices, MassWildlife offices (Westborough, Field HQ)

Buy By Phone

Call 508-389-6300. Service fee may apply

Shop for hunting gear at our partners:

Bass Pro Shops → Cabela's → Amazon → Academy Sports →

Pro Tip

The easiest way to buy your Massachusetts hunting license is online through the MassWildlife - Division of Fisheries & Wildlife. You'll get your license instantly and can start hunting right away.

EDUCATION

Hunter Education Requirements in Massachusetts

Who needs it: All hunters born on or after January 1, 1960

Online course: Available — Cost: Free

Field day required: Yes, in-person field day required

Minimum age: 15 years old

Apprentice/deferral program: Available — hunt under supervision while completing education

Military exemption: Yes, active duty military may be exempt

Start Your Hunter Education Course

EXEMPTIONS

Who Can Hunt for Free (or at a Discount) in Massachusetts?

Youth (15-17) $6.50 license Minor hunting license; adult supervision required

Senior (65-69) 50% off ($20) Half-price hunting; combo $37.50

Senior (70+) Free lifetime Free lifetime hunting + fishing for MA residents 70+

Disabled Veteran Free Disabled veterans receive free licenses

Active Military Resident rates Active duty stationed in MA pay resident rates

Paraplegic/Blind Free Free license for legally blind or paraplegic MA residents

SEASONS

Massachusetts Hunting Seasons 2026-2027

Key hunting season dates and weapon restrictions.

White-tailed Deer Youth Deer Day Oct 4 – Oct 4 Any legal weapon; ages 15-17 with adult

White-tailed Deer Archery Oct 20 – Nov 29 Bow and crossbow; stamp required

White-tailed Deer Shotgun Dec 1 – Dec 13 Shotgun slugs only; no rifles in MA

White-tailed Deer Primitive Firearms Dec 15 – Dec 31 Muzzleloader; stamp required

Turkey Youth Spring Apr 26 – Apr 26 Shotgun, bow; youth only

Turkey Spring Apr 28 – May 24 Shotgun, bow

Turkey Fall Oct 20 – Nov 8 Shotgun, bow

Black Bear Early (Sep) Sep 2 – Sep 13 Any legal weapon; specific WMUs

Black Bear Regular (Nov) Nov 3 – Nov 22 Any legal weapon; growing population

Pheasant (Stocked) Regular Oct 18 – Nov 22 Shotgun; MassWildlife stocks WMAs

Ruffed Grouse Regular Oct 20 – Nov 29 Shotgun

Woodcock Regular Oct 4 – Nov 18 Shotgun; HIP required

Rabbit/Snowshoe Hare Regular Oct 20 – Feb 28 Shotgun

Squirrel Regular Sep 6 – Jan 3 Shotgun, .22 rifle

Duck/Waterfowl Regular Oct-Jan – Zone-specific Shotgun (non-toxic shot)

Coyote Year-Round Jan 1 – Dec 31 Any legal weapon; no limit; night hunting restricted

BAG LIMITS

Massachusetts Bag Limits

Daily and seasonal harvest limits for major game species.

White-tailed Deer 1 2 antlered (statewide) + antlerless by permit License includes 2 antlered tags; no rifles; shotgun slugs/muzzleloader/archery

Turkey (Spring) 1 2 Bearded turkeys; $10/$30 permit required

Turkey (Fall) 1 1 Either sex

Black Bear 1 1 Growing population; $10/$30 permit; youth 12-17 FREE bear permit

Pheasant 2 No season limit Roosters; MassWildlife stocking program

Ruffed Grouse 3 No season limit Wild; declining in some areas

Woodcock 3 No season limit Federal migratory; HIP required

Rabbit 5 No season limit Cottontail and snowshoe hare

COMPARE

How Massachusetts Compares to Neighboring States

See how hunting license costs stack up in the region.

Massachusetts $40 $112

New Hampshire $32 $113 Vermont $28 $102 New York $22 $100 Connecticut $19 $91 Rhode Island $24 $65

Compare All 50 States

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts Hunting Licenses

How much is a hunting license in Massachusetts?

Resident: $40 (2026, up from $36.50) + $5 Wildlands Stamp = $45 total. Sporting combo: $75. Ages 65-69: $20. 70+: FREE lifetime. Youth 15-17: $6.50. NR big game: $112. NR small game: $78.

Can you use a rifle for deer?

No — Massachusetts bans rifles for deer statewide. Shotgun slugs, muzzleloaders, and archery only. Separate stamps needed for archery ($10) and primitive firearms ($10). Shotgun season: no extra stamp.

How many deer tags come with a license?

Hunting license includes 2 antlered deer tags valid across all three seasons (archery, shotgun, muzzleloader). Antlerless deer permits ($10/$30) are zone-specific through lottery. Surplus permits may become available.

Can you hunt bear in Massachusetts?

Yes — MA bear population ~4,500 and growing, primarily in western MA. Bear permit: $10 res / $30 NR. Youth 12-17 get FREE bear permits. Two seasons: Sep 2-13 and Nov 3-22.

What is the Wildlands Conservation Stamp?

The $5 stamp is added to your first license each year. Funds open space acquisition and habitat conservation. It's added automatically at checkout. NR pay it on all licenses.

Why did fees increase?

5-year phased increases (2022-2026) to address MassWildlife revenue shortfall. 2026 resident $40 is the final year of increases. Funds fish hatcheries, wildlife management, and conservation officers.

Do seniors hunt free?

MA residents 70+ get FREE lifetime hunting+fishing. Ages 65-69 get 50% off ($20 hunting / $37.50 sporting). One of the most generous tiered senior systems in the US.

Can I buy an MA license online?

Yes, at massfishhunt.com. Wildlands Stamp auto-added. Also at local sporting goods stores, town clerks, and MassWildlife offices. Hunter ed required for first-time buyers.