Zone 2, Massachusetts
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- Zone 2
- Area
- 582 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
White-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 526
Draw odds for White-tailed Deeraren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Season & harvest data is published for White-tailed Deer so far. Deer, Turkey, Bear also occur here — that data can be added as the community contributes.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedZone 2 covers the hill towns of Franklin and Hampshire counties in western Massachusetts, stretching from the Vermont border south to I-90, with rolling forested hills, the Connecticut River valley, and vast public land including Wendell, Erving, and Northfield State Forests making it one of the state's top destinations for deer, turkey, and black bear. Antlerless Deer Permits (ADPs) are available through the annual lottery with generally favorable odds compared to eastern zones, and Zone 2 falls within the western bear range where a September–December season is open. Hunters will find a mix of hardwood ridges, hemlock drainages, and agricultural edges that consistently hold wildlife with relatively low pressure outside of rifle shotgun season.
Rolling forested hills and ridges of the central Berkshire uplands and Pioneer Valley foothills. Predominantly northern hardwood forest (oak, maple, beech, birch) with hemlock-lined drainages, beaver swamps, and agricultural edges along the Connecticut River valley floor. Elevation ranges roughly 400–1,600 ft. The zone is lightly developed with large contiguous forest blocks.
Low to moderate. Heavy pressure during the first few days of shotgun season; archery and primitive firearms seasons are noticeably quieter. Large state forest blocks absorb hunter numbers well.
One antlerless deer per ADP. Antlerless Deer Permits (ADPs) are allocated per zone annually by MassWildlife; apply by July 16 each year through MassFishHunt. Zone 2 historically offers solid odds relative to eastern suburban zones. Surplus ADPs sold over-the-counter after August 1 if available. Antlerless bag limit per season applies (daily limit removed in 2025). One buck per year included with base license.
DEER: Archery season opens 6th Monday before Thanksgiving (approx. early Oct) through 1st Saturday after Thanksgiving. Shotgun season runs ~late Nov (Monday after Thanksgiving) through mid-Dec (12 days). Primitive firearms Dec 14–31. ADP required for antlerless deer. No orange requirement during archery but required for shotgun/primitive. TURKEY: Spring season late April (last Monday) through 4th Saturday following (~5 weeks); fall turkey season also open in Zone 2. Standard bag limits apply. BEAR: Zone 2 is within the open bear zones (Zones 1–8). Season runs approximately September 7 through December 12 under consolidated 2026 regulations. Bag limit: 1 bear, mandatory registration within 48 hours. No island or suburban safety-zone restrictions apply in Zone 2.
Large contiguous public forest blocks with minimal road access provide genuine backcountry hunting. Black bear are huntable here — one of only zones 1–8 open for bear. Excellent spring and fall turkey in hardwood ridges. The Connecticut River valley edge of the zone provides agricultural and riparian deer habitat. Low hunter density during archery season makes for quality DIY experiences on public land.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about Zone 2— or drop a tip or trick: access points, where game holds, glassing spots, conditions, crowding, gear that worked. This is where the unit's species-specific intel gets built, hunter by hunter.
Nothing posted yet about Zone 2.
Be the first — ask a question (“Best public access on the north end?”) or share a tip (“Glass the burn scars off the main ridge at first light”).
Boundaries: MassWildlife official Wildlife Management Zones. Community info last updated 23d ago.