Massachusetts Hunting Laws

What makes land legally posted in Massachusetts?

Hunting is allowed on private land that is not posted. To close land to hunting, the owner or tenant must conspicuously post notices that bear the owner's or tenant's name and state that hunting (or fishing or trapping) is prohibited. Hunting such posted land without permission is illegal.

General criminal trespass (M.G.L. c. 266, § 120) also applies to improved or enclosed land after notice given directly or by posted notice. Some towns have bylaws requiring written permission.

Source: M.G.L. c. 131, § 36 · official source

Does Massachusetts have a purple paint law?

Massachusetts has no purple-paint law. Land is closed to hunting by conspicuously posted signs that name the owner or tenant.

The posting statute recognizes only posted notices bearing the owner's or tenant's name.

Source: M.G.L. c. 131, § 36 · official source

Do you need written permission to hunt private land in Massachusetts?

No statewide written-permission rule. You may hunt private land that is not posted; on posted land you need the owner's or tenant's permission, which posted landowners may give in writing. Some towns have bylaws that require written permission, so check local rules.

Written landowner permission is required to trap on posted land, and to use a tree stand that is nailed or bolted into a tree or left up more than 30 days.

Source: M.G.L. c. 131, § 36 · official source

What is the penalty for hunting trespass in Massachusetts?

Hunting posted land without permission violates c. 131, § 36, punishable by a $200 to $500 fine, up to 30 days in jail, or both. MassWildlife says violations of its hunting prohibitions also bring a one-year license revocation on top of other penalties.

Criminal trespass under M.G.L. c. 266, § 120 is a separate offense: up to $100 fine and/or 30 days. License-revocation statement is from MassWildlife's general hunting regulations page.

Source: M.G.L. c. 131, §§ 36, 90(b) · official source

How close to a house can you hunt in Massachusetts?

You may not possess a loaded firearm or hunt by any means, including archery, on someone else's land within 500 feet of any dwelling in use unless the owner or occupant authorizes it. The same 500-foot line applies to bows and guns.

MassWildlife's regulation page applies the 500-foot rule to 'any dwelling or building in use.' A pending bill (S.3064, in conference committee as of Oct. 2026) would cut the archery setback to 250 feet; it has not been enacted.

Source: M.G.L. c. 131, § 58 · official source

Can you hunt from or near a road in Massachusetts?

You may not discharge a firearm or release an arrow upon or across any state or hard-surfaced highway, or within 150 feet of one.

A loaded shotgun or rifle in or on any motor vehicle is also prohibited.

Source: M.G.L. c. 131, § 58 · official source

What are legal shooting hours in Massachusetts?

Deer hunting hours begin 1/2 hour before sunrise and end 1/2 hour after sunset.

Source: 321 CMR 3.00 (MassWildlife deer regulations) · official source

What are the blaze orange requirements in Massachusetts?

All deer hunters must wear 500 square inches of blaze orange on the chest, back and head during the Youth Deer Hunt Day and the shotgun, primitive firearms, early and winter deer seasons, regardless of hunting implement. During pheasant/quail season, hunters on stocked Wildlife Management Areas must wear a blaze orange hat.

Deer hunters in a blind must still wear the required orange. Waterfowl hunters may remove it once in a blind or boat.

Source: 321 CMR 3.00 (MassWildlife deer regulations) · official source

Is night hunting legal in Massachusetts?

Using artificial lights to hunt any bird or mammal is illegal except for raccoon and opossum. Rifles larger than .22 rimfire and handguns larger than .38 caliber are prohibited from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise.

Source: 321 CMR 3.00 (MassWildlife general hunting regulations) · official source

Do you need a hunting license to hunt your own land in Massachusetts?

Yes, narrowly. A Massachusetts resident and immediate family members 15 or older may hunt without a license on land they own or lease if they actually live on it and it is used principally for agriculture (not for club or shooting purposes). The person claiming the exemption must prove it.

Does not cover non-residents or land used for club, shooting or fishing purposes. Seasons, bag limits and other rules still apply.

Source: M.G.L. c. 131, § 13 · official source

Who needs hunter education in Massachusetts?

Everyone, resident or not, must complete a hunter education course to hunt unless they held a hunting license before Jan. 1, 2007. Comparable courses from other states or provinces are accepted. Youths 12-14 may hunt only with a licensed adult; 15-17-year-olds need the course or an adult-supervision statement.

Proof of hunter education is required to buy a sporting or hunting license (c. 131, § 11).

Source: M.G.L. c. 131, § 14 · official source

Is Sunday hunting legal in Massachusetts?

No. Every Sunday is a closed season: you may not hunt any bird or mammal on Sunday or carry a rifle, shotgun or bow where birds or mammals might be found. Trapping, and target shooting on your own land or a recognized range, are still allowed.

Repeal was proposed by Gov. Healey in 2026 and is in S.3064, which was in conference committee and not enacted as of Oct. 2026.

Source: M.G.L. c. 131, § 57 · official source

Is it legal to bait deer in Massachusetts?

No. Hunting deer over bait is illegal. An area counts as baited from 10 days before archery season opens through the day after primitive firearms season closes. Natural food, agricultural crops and food plots are not bait.

Baiting is also prohibited for migratory game birds, wild turkey and bear during and within 10 days of their seasons.

Source: 321 CMR 3.00 (MassWildlife deer regulations) · official source

Can you use a crossbow during archery season in Massachusetts?

Only by permit for certain permanently disabled hunters. Other hunters may not use crossbows; bows drawn by mechanical means are otherwise prohibited.

S.3064 would allow crossbows for all hunters during archery season; not enacted as of Oct. 2026.

Source: 321 CMR 3.00 (MassWildlife general hunting regulations) · official source

Is a landowner liable if someone gets hurt hunting on their land in Massachusetts?

Landowners who let the public use land for recreation without charging a fee are not liable for injuries or property damage, except for willful, wanton or reckless conduct.

Protection does not apply if a fee is charged.

Source: M.G.L. c. 21, § 17C · official source