By Mike Roche
Every year the MassWildlife deadline for applying for an Antlerless Deer Permit, commonly referred to as ‘doe permit,’ is July 16.
Massachusetts is divided into 14 different deer management zones, and each zone is allocated a number of permits that allow the holder to take an antlerless deer during all three deer seasons, which include archery, shotgun and primitive firearms (AKA muzzleloader) seasons. Your Massachusetts hunting or sporting license includes two tags for antlered deer and that is defined as a deer with at least one antler that measures three inches or more in length.
The management of whitetail deer populations is built around the harvest of female deer, called does. Deer managers use a formula that includes the amount of habitat and the quality of that habitat and use data gathered from deer reporting stations during the seasons to do a population analysis. Other data used for determining the health of deer populations includes fawn weight (the average weight of deer born the previous spring), antler beam diameter of yearling bucks, and percentage of mature bucks, age two and half and older, in the harvest.
This data has been gathered and compared for decades and gives a picture of the Massachusetts deer herd, both statewide and zone by zone. Each of the deer management zones is then given a goal of deer per acre. The goal is compared to harvest data, and a determination is made as to whether the goal is to increase, reduce or maintain the deer density, and the issuance of antler deer tags is based on the target population.
Deer hunting in Massachusetts has evolved considerably since the first deer hunting season was set. The real history of deer management in Massachusetts probably started in the 1960s when the first antlerless deer permits were issued. That was a change from hunters being allowed to take one deer of either sex during the six-day shotgun only season. Over time, archery and primitive arms seasons were added and there were several changes, all made after staff input and public hearings were held.
This year, the statewide archery season starts Oct. 7 and runs through Nov. 30. The two-week shotgun season follows and then the primitive arms season. Parts of Massachusetts present a challenge to deer managers, as the population remains above the goal despite very liberal issuance of antlerless permits.
The process to apply for a doe permit for most hunters takes place at the same time that your license is purchased online using the website MassFishHunt. All states are now using online licensing, and it has evolved as times have brought the online world – where we use our computers and smart phones for so many of life’s necessary tasks – as unavoidable, whether we like it or not.
Some people still are reluctant to enter the online world, but they can go to a limited number of retail vendors and also visit any MassWildlife installation, including the district offices in Belchertown and West Boylston or field headquarters in Westborough, where they can purchase all licenses. Or, like my brother Chris, you can get help from your brother the week before the deadline, but that is another story.
The online world indeed can be frustrating, and this writer is a very mistake-prone typist, which frequently creates password problems. It also seems that whenever something important is being accessed there is an online issue and the site is having problems. Like too many of my generation, there is paralyzing fear of screwing something up that gets in the way when trying to use online services and remembering passwords is a constant challenge.
After writing this column and noting my brother having an issue getting on to MassFishHunt, I attempted to get on myself. That led me to contact the MassFishHunt vendor when there was a glitch and my ID/password did not work. I was advised there was a long wait and requested a callback. After a 30-minute wait I was called by a representative who did an excellent job of explaining that every Massachusetts license holder would need to go through the process of obtaining a MyMassGov ID because every Massachusetts agency was now under the same online “umbrella.”
The process of obtaining that ID is detailed and takes some time. MassWildlife is aware of the issue, and some complications related to a new contracted vendor providing the service for MassWildlife. The MassWildlife webpage has been updated and includes information to help license holders use MassFishHunt with the changes. They provided me with this info from the website.
The application process is as follows:
• Log into MassFishHunt (*Please note the MassFishHunt online system was updated in May 2025. The first time you use the new system, you will need to set up and claim your account).
• Once logged in, click on the ‘Enter a Deer Hunt Drawing’ blue button in the top right of your customer dashboard.
• If you have not already applied, you will see the ADP application available to add to your cart. Click ‘Add.’ This will add the ADP to your shopping cart on the right. Click ‘Proceed to Checkout’ green button.
• You will see a Hunt Applications popup box. Click ‘Complete.’
• Select the zone you want to apply for, and click ‘Next.’ Double-check that you have selected the right zone and click ‘Create.’ Then click ‘Save’ to add to your shopping cart.
• At checkout, read the terms and conditions and click the checkbox next to “I agree to the above terms.”
• Click ‘Pay Now’ to complete the process. There is no fee to apply. Once your order is processed, you will see a confirmation screen saying “Thank you for your order!”
This streamlines the process and saves a lot of steps when compared to going through the process of obtaining the MassGov ID. Hopefully everyone will get their application in before the July 16 deadline and will be able to easily get the results of the application process after Aug. 1. There are a lot of deer being seen in mowings and it looks like a good season of deer hunting ahead.
Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.