Massachusetts Deer Forecast: Could It Be a Record Season?

This whitetail hunting forecast for the state of Massachusetts is part of Game & Fish’s “Great States" project identifying the best deer-hunting states in the country. Read more: America's Top Whitetail States

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Trend Looking Good for State Hunters

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife says unfavorable early weather condition kept the 2023-24 season from being a record-setter.

”Poor weather conditions during much of the archery and primitive firearms seasons lowered the overall harvest, which likely would have set a new record if it were not for the poor conditions," the agency said in its 2023 deer harvest report.

The overall harvest of 15,552 was a slight decline (two percent) from 2022’s 15,853, which set a state record, but there were record harvests in zones 9 and 14, as well as by youth hunters on Youth Deer Hunt Day.

Most deer harvested last season were killed by bowhunters, who harvested 6,385 last year. Shot-gunners harvested 6,118 and muzzleloaders 2,865. Annual harvest numbers over the past eight years have been the largest since data has been collected (beginning 1965).

DID YOU KNOW?

SHARING THE HARVEST

Through MassWildlife’s "Hunters Share the Harvest" program, approximate 17,800 meals of venison were distributed to Massachusetts communities last year.

Massachusetts hunters can harvest two antlered deer, with at least one antler 3 inches or longer. Hunters may take as many antlerless deer as they have valid antlerless deer permits for the specified permitted zones.

Get more info: Detailed information on hunting seasons and rules can be found here.

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