During the first week of the two-week shotgun deer hunting season in Massachusetts, successful hunters are required to check all deer at a biological check station. Again this year, the Orange Gun Club will be the site of a MassWildlife biological check station, and the club has gone to great lengths to improve the experience for hunters checking deer at the club.
Volunteer club members erected a structure to mount a hoist so hunters can back in and have their deer hoisted from the vehicle to be weighed. That added convenience reflects the Orange Gun Club’s history of going the extra mile. Their kids fishing derbies are always very well organized and the meal at the annual field day is hard to beat.
Recently, the club underwent extensive renovations that included handicap access and interior improvements. Combined with the large outdoor covered seating, it makes the club a great site for gatherings. A number of class reunions, including my Mahar Class of ’69, have been held there.
With the two-week shotgun deer hunting season opening Monday, hunters are reminded they have 48 hours to check deer in. That requires traveling to a biological check station the first week. After that, hunters have two options. They may go to one of the MassWildlife deer check stations that remain open (they are listed at the MassWildlife website) after week one or check the deer in online by using MassFishHunt. It is available on the MassWildlife website, or you can search for it directly.
During both firearms seasons, shotgun and primitive arms, all hunters must wear a minimum of 500 square inches of approved hunter orange material on their head, chest and back. During shotgun season, the use of archery equipment or primitive firearms is allowed. Hunters participating in the primitive arms season need to have the primitive arms permit as well as their Massachusetts hunting license.
The controversial Massachusetts gun law passed nearly two years ago does impact non-resident hunters, in that they may not possess a semi-automatic shotgun unless they have applied for and received a non-resident license to carry, which is available through the Firearms Record Bureau. They may possess any other shotgun which is not a semi-automatic/autoloader.
Massachusetts hunting licenses contain two deer tags for deer with one antler at least three inches in length. In addition, permits were awarded in each zone for varying numbers of antlerless deer. Hunters may possess two unsealed deer (not reported) but may resume hunting that day once the deer are sealed/reported. It will be interesting to see what the results will be this season, but this writer is predicting a high and possible record harvest.
Surrounding New England states have had excellent seasons and deer appear to be healthy and abundant. The important variables are weather and hunter participation. When deer season was just six days of hunting in the 1960s, the woods were full of red-clad hunters.
Over time, with the institution of archery and primitive arms seasons, that has changed. Many remember when there were hundreds of cars parked along Route 202, Route 122, and many back roads as hunters from eastern Mass descended on the Mount Grace region to hunt whitetails. The longer seasons and decline in hunter participation have changed that scenario as eastern Massachusetts now has a large deer population.
The bottom line in shotgun season is that deer harvest numbers are influenced by hunter density. In short, the more hunters in the woods the more opportunities, as hunters create deer movement leading to increased opportunities. Since most of Massachusetts now has deer densities at or above “target” populations for deer health and minimal human conflict, the liberalization of deer seasons and limits is ongoing.
This year there will be a January hunt on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, and discussions are underway to formulate a late season on the mainland, beginning with eastern Massachusetts. It is also interesting to note that in recent years, harvest data has showed that in 2024, 6,988 deer were taken in archery season, the shotgun harvest was 5,607 and primitive arms hunters checked in 2,320.
After mentioning the improvements to the Orange Gun Club, I should also note the work done recently at the Petersham Gun Club. A new and improved rifle range is a great facility for sighting in and shooting and the top-tier sporting clays site is constantly improved and adjusted for different shooting challenges. My recommendation is to join and become an active member of either or both clubs. Each one has a schedule of events including great meals and both also feature many family-oriented activities.
My bird season is effectively done, although Massachusetts pheasant season does run through the end of December. The dogs will have to unwind as my trips out the door with a gun are duly noted and they are not happy about being left out. The calendar shows five and a half weeks of deer hunting ahead, providing a chance to put some great venison into the freezer.
With hunters having the chance to harvest multiple deer, there are options for those with extra venison. You might consider donating venison to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club Game Supper. It is the club’s biggest annual event and donations of game and fish from local sportsmen and women make it possible. You could also check out the Hunters Share the Harvest program at MassWildlife.
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.