The first of Massachusetts’ three seasons for hunting whitetail deer – the archery season – is underway.
Statewide, bowhunters have been hunting since Oct. 6. The next couple of weeks are the time when the peak of the rut, the breeding season for deer, is underway. Rutting season is when bucks actively pursue does that are in estrous and ready to breed.
Here in Massachusetts, the peak rut is considered to be between Nov. 6 and Nov. 20. It is triggered by the length of daylight and has nothing to do with weather conditions, moon phase, or other influences. As fall progresses and the amount of daylight decreases, both buck and doe hormones elevate and the instinct to breed kicks in. By evolution, this timing improves survival as fawns will be born at an optimal time in spring that will increase their chances of survival.
Bow hunters enjoy the best possible slot as it includes the pre-rut. That’s when groups of deer consisting of does with offspring concentrate on feeding to increase their fat supplies for the winter and improve health during a pregnancy. Bucks are also feeding actively to store energy to get ready for the rut, when food becomes secondary. During the rut, bucks mark territory by rubbing trees, scraping the ground and depositing scent.
Deer are normally nocturnal, but during the rut, deer are often crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk) and abandon their habit of bedding down during the day. Instead, they spend a lot of time moving around in search of a doe in season. Bucks spend a lot of time chasing does – in fact, some bucks can lose up to 20% of their body weight during this time, since they are constantly on the move and not prioritizing eating. Both bucks and does move much more during the rut, which also leads to a seasonal spike in deer-vehicle collisions.
As the rut begins to taper off, both males and females start to focus more on food. It’s especially important for bucks to regain their weight after their exertion during the rut. Bucks start to decrease their daytime activity once more. During this time, males are still interested in breeding if the opportunity presents itself. Does that are not bred come back into heat after about 28 days and the rut can be extended into January by late estrus does.
When the two-week shotgun season begins on the Monday following Thanksgiving, deer rutting behavior is still on and influencing their behavior. Hunters are reminded that in both firearms seasons, the wearing of 500 square inches of approved hunter orange on your head, chest and back are required.
Following the conclusion of shotgun season, primitive arms season will run until the last legal hunting day of December. Those participating in that season, commonly called black powder season, are required to have obtained a Primitive Arms Permit.
Massachusetts allows the taking of a total of two antlered (having at least one antler at least three inches in length) deer in the three seasons and as many antlerless deer as you possess permits for. You may take up two deer a day before checking them in and once the deer are reported, a hunter may continue hunting if they have valid buck tags or antlerless permits.
Here is another reminder of changes in Massachusetts deer hunting regulations that are now in effect. A Youth Deer Permit can be used during any open deer season. Deer decoys can be used for hunting during the archery-only season. Daily antlerless bag limits have been removed, but season limits are still in effect. Planted food plots and standing crops are legal to use for hunting. Deboning requirements have been expanded to all states outside of New England.
For license year 2026, there is a new winter primitive firearms deer season for the month of January on Martha’s Vineyard and Elizabeth Island (WMZ 13) and Nantucket (WMZ 14). Antler shed hunting is exempt from possession permit requirements. Under previous laws, a tag was required for possession of any deer parts, including antlers. The new regulation allows anyone to collect and possess naturally shed antlers without needing any permit, tag or license.
Reports indicate that locally, deer numbers are good. Weather, as always, will influence the harvest as will hunter participation. The more hunters in the woods, the more deer taken; that is a constant. The trend of reduced hunter participation across the country is also influencing deer management in Massachusetts and seasons, bag limits and antlerless deer permits are all influenced by that trend.
You might also want to check out the very successful Share the Harvest Program where deer hunters donate venison to Massachusetts residents facing food insecurity. Information can be found on the MassWildlife web page.
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.