Zone 5, Massachusetts

Central Massachusetts highland plateau and valley system encompassing the Quabbin Reservoir (25,000+ acres), Ware River corridor, and Swift River valley. Dominated by mature second-growth oak, maple, and mixed hardwood-conifer forest with dense understory. Elevation ranges from river bottoms near 500 ft to ridgelines topping 1,400 ft. Thick swamp edges, brushy clear-cuts, and agricultural fields on the zone periphery provide edge habitat and deer feeding areas. The Quabbin watershed interior is largely roadless mature forest producing older-age-class bucks.

low to moderate

Antlerless Deer Permits (ADP) required for all antlerless deer statewide. Zone 5 has historically shown draw odds above 50% with surplus permits commonly available in late September. Hunters may hold multiple ADPs. No daily antlerless bag limit (removed 2025 regulations). Each ADP tag is zone-specific. Apply by July 16 deadline; check award status August 1. Quabbin Reservation controlled hunt requires separate lottery application with limited slots.

DEER: Archery season Oct 5 – Nov 28; Shotgun season Nov 30 – Dec 12; Primitive Firearms (muzzleloader) Dec 14 – Dec 31. Youth Deer Hunt Day Oct 3. One antlered deer per season; antlerless requires ADP tag (zone-specific). No rifle deer hunting in Massachusetts — shotgun and muzzleloader only for firearms seasons. Food plots and standing crops legal to hunt over (2025 rule change). Deer decoys permitted during archery season. TURKEY: Spring season Apr 27 – May 23 (all zones 1–13); fall season Oct 5 – Nov 28; Youth Turkey Hunt Apr 25. Spring bag limit 2 bearded birds; fall limit 1 turkey either sex. Hunting hours spring: 1/2 hr before sunrise to noon; fall: 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset. BEAR: Season open in WMZs 1–8 only — Zone 5 is included. Season runs approximately Oct 15 – Nov 15 (check current regs; 2026 dates may extend Sept 7 – Dec 12). Bear permit required in addition to hunting license. Bag limit 1 bear per year; mandatory registration within 48 hours. Archery and muzzleloader legal entire season; rifles (.23 cal or larger) legal first and second segments. NO island or suburban shotgun-only restrictions apply to Zone 5 (those apply to Zones 12–14 only).

One of the most underrated big-game zones in Massachusetts — large contiguous forest blocks hold mature bucks, particularly in the Quabbin interior where hunting pressure is low and access is controlled. Black bear numbers are strong in western portions of the zone. Spring turkey in the Quabbin watershed is exceptional; birds respond readily to calls in the lightly pressured timber. The Ware River corridor and state forest WMAs offer solid hunting without the lottery requirement.