Starting November 6, all hunters can purchase another extra antlerless deer permit. If a hunter has already purchased an extra antlerless deer permit, this allows them to purchase a second extra antlerless deer permit. If a hunter has already purchased an extra antlerless deer permit and purchased an antlerless deer permit through the lottery, this allows them to purchase a third antlerless deer permit.
Deer hunting regulations
2023 hunting season dates
Youth Deer Hunt Day: Sept. 30, 2023
Paraplegic Hunt: Nov. 2 – 4, 2023
Archery Season (Zones 10–14): Oct. 2 – Nov. 25, 2023
Archery Season (Zones 1–9): Oct. 16 – Nov. 25, 2023
Shotgun Season: Nov. 27 – Dec. 9, 2023
Primitive Firearms Season: Dec. 11 – Dec. 30, 2023
Show More Table of contents
Table of Contents
Hunting hours
Hunting hours begin ½ hour before sunrise and end ½ hour after sunset. Click here for a sunrise/sunset table.
To hunt white-tailed deer in Massachusetts you must have the appropriate license, permits, and stamps which you can buy through MassFishHunt.
Massachusetts residents:
- Hunting or Sporting License (Includes 2 antlered deer tags valid statewide)
- Archery Stamp to hunt the archery season
- Primitive Firearms Stamp to hunt the primitive firearms season
- No stamp required for the shotgun season
- Antlerless Deer Permit – Required for hunting any deer without antlers or antlers less than 3 inches in length.
Non-residents:
- Non-Resident Big Game Hunting License (Includes 2 antlered deer tags, valid statewide)
- Archery Stamp to hunt the archery season
- Primitive Firearms Stamp to hunt the primitive firearms season
- No stamp required for the shotgun season
- Antlerless Deer Permit required for hunting any deer without antlers or with antlers less than 3 inches in length.
Youth ages 15-17:
- Resident Minor Hunting license or Non-Resident Big Game License. Learn more about minor licenses.
- Antlerless Deer Permit required for hunting any deer without antlers or antlers less than 3 inches in length.
- Archery Stamp to hunt the archery season
- Primitive Firearms Stamp to hunt the primitive firearms season
- No stamp required for the shotgun season
- A free Youth Deer Hunt Day permit is needed to hunt deer on the youth day.
- Learn more about youth hunting requirements.
Youth ages 12–14:
- Do not need a hunting license or stamps but must be accompanied by appropriately licensed adult hunter.
- A free Youth Deer Hunt Day permit is needed to hunt deer on the youth day.
- Learn more about youth hunting requirements.
Bag and possession limits
Bag limit:
- 2 Antlered deer annually any deer with at least one antler 3 inches or longer
- Antlerless deer (any deer without antlers or antlers less than 3 inches in length) Hunters may take as many antlerless deer as they have valid antlerless deer permits for the specified permitted zones.
- Youth Deer Hunt Day: 1 deer (antlered or antlerless)
Possession limit:
In WMZs 1–12 deer hunters may take and possess up to 2 deer in a day before reporting/checking them. Once those deer are reported, the hunter may resume deer hunting on the same day. (Example: A hunter harvests 2 deer in the morning. After reporting the deer online or at a check station, he or she may return to deer hunting that same day.) In WMZ 13 and 14, deer hunters may take and possess up to 4 deer in a day before reporting/checking them. Once those deer are reported, the hunter may then resume deer hunting on the same day.
About Antlerless Deer Permits
A licensed hunter with an antlerless deer permit can harvest an antlerless deer in the designated district and an antlered deer statewide. Antlerless deer permits may be acquired through the lottery, and any remaining permits will be available for purchase on the MDIFW website.
There is no fee to apply to the antlerless deer permit lottery. After the lottery drawing, successful applicants must claim and purchase the permit for $12 (plus $2 agent fee).
Proceeds from the antlerless deer permit fee will help fund the purchase and management of deer wintering areas (DWAs), primarily in northern Maine. Deer wintering areas are a critical habitat for white-tailed deer living at the northern end of their range.
How to Apply to the Antlerless Deer Permit Lottery
Apply to the annual Antlerless Deer Permit Lottery
Antlerless deer applications were available online only June 27 – August 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM.
If you do not have access to a computer or the Internet at home, we would suggest:
- Using a computer at your local library
- Using a computer at work during lunch or a break
- Asking a friend or relative with a computer for help in applying
There is no fee to apply for an antlerless deer permit. If you receive a permit you must pay the $12 permit fee and $2 agent fee to claim the permit.
To apply for an antlerless deer permit, you must possess a valid Maine license to hunt big game.
You may enter up to two (2) WMD or deer management subunit choices for your permit in order of preference.
Applicants with a legal residence outside the United States or Canada cannot apply online. Those wishing to apply will need to contact the Department at (207) 287-8000 for help in applying.
Claim and Purchase your Lottery Permit
Claiming your Permit through the Lottery
Antlerless deer permit recipients were posted on the MDIFW website on August 15 and the deadline to claim and purchase a lottery permit was 11:59pm on September 12, 2023.
Permit recipients will receive their permit number upon payment to claim their permit. The permit number is required when registering deer.
Permit recipients will be notified by email but will not receive a permit or transportation tags via mail. Permit numbers can also be found using the Purchased Permit Lookup.
Super pack license holders still need to claim their permit but will not be charged the permit fee if the permit was awarded during the super pack drawing. Learn more about super pack antlerless deer permits.
