If you are age 15 or older, you want a looking license. The minimum age for searching in Massachusetts is 12. Those who are 12-14 may additionally hunt only whilst observed with the aid of a licensed hunter 18 years or older, supplied that a single bag restrict is shared and a single firearm/bow is shared among the 2 people. Only one minor in line with person is permitted.Am I eligible to buy a hunting license?
By country law, you are eligible for a Massachusetts Hunting or Sporting License in case you meet one of the following statements:
I have earned a government-issued Basic Hunter Education certificate (from any jurisdiction).
I held a looking or carrying license before January 1, 2007 (from any jurisdiction).
Proof is not required. If buying your license on-line, you will be brought on to apply an digital affidavit (test a container). If buying a license from a dealer or from a MassWildlife workplace, you may be requested to verbally country (verbal affidavit) whether or not you’ve got held a looking or carrying license prior to 2007 or if you have ever efficaciously finished a Basic Hunter Education course.
Important: A verbal or digital affidavit means that you declare, under penalty of perjury, that you’re eligible for a hunting or wearing license.Additional ResourcesDisplaying your searching license and permits
All hunters, anglers, and trappers have to have their license, allows, and stamps in ownership whilst undertaking those sports. Hunters and anglers might also show a true, whole, and legible picture of a valid license the usage of a cellular tool. Hunters should comply with all tagging necessities. If a tag is needed, as it’s miles for looking deer, undergo, and turkey, hunters ought to convey a paper copy of the license, permits, and tags.Hunting allows
Permits are not transferable. You can best use the one you’re issued.NEW FOR 2022: Pheasant/Quail Permit
Required with the aid of all hunters elderly 15 years or older (along with falconers) to seek, take or own pheasants or bobwhite quail, except for those looking or owning pheasants or quail harvested on certified industrial capturing preserves.Antlerless deer permit
You must have this allow to take an antlerless deer at some stage in archery, shotgun, and primitive firearms seasons. MassWildlife allows antlerless deer searching with the right allow in all Wildlife Management Zones.Black Bear permit
You ought to have this permit to hunt bear. Hunters can buy this permit with their hunting/wearing license or at any time earlier than the end of the bear season.Wild Turkey permit
You need to have this permit to hunt turkey. Hunters should purchase this allow with their looking/wearing license or at any time before the end of the autumn turkey season.Crossbow Permit for Hunters with Permanent Disabilities
This permit is for hunters with a everlasting bodily incapacity that prevents them from the usage of popular archery equipment. The Crossbow Permit form requires a health practitioner’s sign-off. Get more information.Youth Deer Hunt Permit
Hunters a while 12–17 are required to acquire a loose allow to hunt deer on the distinct day. Learn greater.Youth Turkey Hunt Permit
Hunters a while 12–17 are required to achieve a free permit/authorization to seek turkey on the unique day. Learn extra.Hunting stamps
You may additionally need searching stamps as well as your kingdom looking license. This depends on the species you need to seek and the season you want to hunt.Archery stamp
All hunters ought to have this stamp to seek deer throughout archery deer season. Bowhunters do not have to take any publications to shop for this stamp.Primitive firearms stamp
All hunters should have this stamp to seek deer with a muzzleloader or archery equipment in the course of primitive firearms deer season.Massachusetts Stamps waterfowl stamp
All waterfowl hunters age 15 or older must have this stamp. When hunters purchase the stamp, they’re registered in the Harvest Information Program (HIP). This registration is mandatory. This stamp is not required for looking woodcock, snipe, or coot. Your stamp is legitimate in the course of the calendar yr.Federal migratory recreation chook stamp (federal duck stamp)
All waterfowl hunters age sixteen years or older have to have this stamp. This stamp is needed for looking any ducks (consisting of sea geese), ducks, or brant, but isn’t required for looking woodcock, snipe, or coot. Federal duck stamps are valid from July 1 through June 30. Learn extra approximately the federal duck stamp.Wildlands stamps
This stamp is delivered to the first fishing, hunting, or trapping license you buy every calendar year. If you’re a Massachusetts resident, there may be no Wildlands stamp charge for the second one license bought in a calendar yr. If you’re purchasing a license as a non-resident, the Wildlands stamp rate will be brought to all licenses bought.
Revenue from those charges helps the Wildlands Conservation Fund, which buys crucial flora and fauna habitat this is open to hunting, fishing, and trapping, in addition to different outdoor endeavor.Additional ResourcesAgricultural landowners
Any person who owns or rentals land this is mainly used for agriculture and any immediate circle of relatives members who’re domiciled on stated land does not need a hunting, fishing, or trapping license to seek, fish, or entice on that belongings. Permits and stamps are nonetheless required. Contact MassWildlife for more information.