How to Hunt Deer in Western Massachusetts

Deer hunting comes around once a year.

Deer hunting is a sport that many hunters enjoy. Not only does it provide a tasty meat for meals, but it gives the hunter the prized deer head and antler, deerskin, and pride in their hunting skills. Each state has different requirements for hunting deer; Massachusetts is no exception. There are regulations to hunting that must be followed so that hunters can enjoy the hunt and getting that prized deer.

Things You'll Need

• Rifle or bow and arrow
• License

Instructions

1. Obtain a hunting license. Any hunter that wants to hunt deer needs to have the appropriate license. Licenses can be obtained online through the Massachusetts state website or at hunting supply stores within the state.

2. Get the appropriate firearm for the season. Bows and arrows are the first firearms allowed for deer hunting (in late October through early November), followed by shotguns in late November. The exact dates will depending on the year.

3. Find a good location to hunt. In Western Massachusetts, deer hunting can be hard. There is little food available, and the number of deer is limited. A good location will have deer tracks. First-time hunters should have an experienced hunter to look for signs of deer and good locations.

4. Try to stay downwind of the deer. When a buck catches a scent, it will run away. Staying downwind will avoid problems with the buck catching a scent.

5. Track a fresh track immediately. A fresh track means that there is a deer nearby (though it can take time to find the actual deer). The fresher a track is, the more likely finding the deer will be.

6. Go hunting in a fresh snowfall. This is the best time to find fresh tracks, as the deer will be making new tracks that cannot be confused with older tracks.

7. Only kill two deer in a season. Massachusetts allows hunters two deer per season, unless the hunter obtains a special permit to hunt more deer. Special permits need to be applied for, and they are not always granted.

References

• New England Game and Fish: Is This Massachusetts Best Deer Hunter?
• Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife: Guide to Hunting, Fishing and Trapping