A mowed grassy strip between pitch pines on a frosty autumn morning

Hunting at Myles Standish

Hunting is allowed in Myles Standish State Forest in two Wildlife Management Areas that are managed for pheasant and quail. In 2026, MassWildlife set pheasant and quail season for October 17 to December 31, archery deer season for October 5 to November 28, and shotgun deer season for November 30 to December 12. There is no hunting anywhere in Massachusetts on Sundays. Hikers, riders and cyclists share the forest with hunters in fall, so DCR asks everyone to wear blaze orange.

At a Glance

Hunting at a Glance

Hunting areasTwo Wildlife Management Areas

Managed forPheasant and quail

Pheasant & quail 2026Oct. 17 – Dec. 31

Archery deer 2026Oct. 5 – Nov. 28

Shotgun deer 2026Nov. 30 – Dec. 12

Primitive firearms 2026Dec. 14 – 31

SundaysNo hunting in Massachusetts

Season dates fromMassWildlife (read Oct. 17, 2026)

Where You Can Hunt in the Forest

DCR says the forest has two Wildlife Management Areas where hunting is allowed, managed as pheasant and quail habitat. DCR's trail map ties each to parking:

The Pheasant Wildlife Management Area is reached from the Bentley Trail Lot, a year-round lot that also serves the Bentley and Frost Pocket loops.
The Quail Wildlife Management Area is reached from the pull-off parking areas on Cutter Field Road. DCR's birding guide describes seven mowed fields there.

DCR says to call ahead to confirm season dates and any special announcements. The forest's number is (508) 866-2526.

2026 Massachusetts Hunting Seasons

These are MassWildlife's statewide 2026 dates, read on October 17, 2026. MassWildlife sets the dates each year; check its season summary before you go.

Deer

Youth Deer Hunt: October 2 and 3.
Archery: October 5 to November 28 (zones 1–14).
Shotgun: November 30 to December 12 (zones 1–14).
Primitive firearms: December 14 to 31 (zones 1–14).
Early deer (September 21 to October 1) and winter deer (January 1 to February 14) are for zones 13 and 14 only.

Upland Birds and Small Game

Pheasant: October 17 to December 31. Closed during shotgun deer season.
Quail: October 17 to December 31. Closed during shotgun deer season.
Ruffed grouse: October 17 to November 28.
Youth pheasant hunt: September 5, 12 and 19, and October 3 and 10.
Cottontail rabbit: October 17, 2026 to February 27, 2027. Closed during shotgun deer season.
Gray squirrel: September 8, 2026 to February 27, 2027. Closed during shotgun deer season.

Turkey, Bear and Coyote

Wild turkey: April 27 to May 23 and October 5 to November 28 (zones 1–13).
Black bear: September 7 to December 12.
Coyote: October 17, 2026 to March 8, 2027.

Rules That Matter Here

No hunting on Sunday, anywhere in Massachusetts.
On Wildlife Management Areas stocked with pheasant or quail, every hunter must wear a blaze orange hat during pheasant and quail season.
Rifles and handguns are not allowed on stocked WMAs during pheasant and quail season.
During the Youth Deer Hunt and shotgun deer season, all hunters must wear 500 square inches of blaze orange on chest, back and head. Deer hunters need the same in primitive firearms season.
During shotgun deer season, every game season is closed statewide except deer, bear, coyote and waterfowl.
No shooting on, across or within 150 feet of a state or paved highway, and no hunting within 500 feet of a building in use without the owner's permission.
You need a Massachusetts hunting license, sold online by MassWildlife.

If You're Not Hunting

The forest stays open to everyone during hunting season. DCR's guides tell all visitors to be aware of the seasons and wear blaze orange when appropriate. The 3.6-mile Bentley Loop Trail runs through a Wildlife Management Area stocked with game birds in fall, and DCR names it specifically. Sundays are the safest choice for a fall walk, since no one may hunt. See hiking trails and riding.

Dogs on trails must be leashed, with one exception: DCR's trail rules exempt hunting dogs.

Good For

Upland bird hunters: the two WMAs are managed for pheasant and quail.
Planning around camping: the campground closes in mid-October (2026: last night October 11), before pheasant season opens. See camping.

Maybe Skip If

You're walking with kids in November and don't own orange. Choose a Sunday, or the paved paths from headquarters.

A hiker in blaze orange on a forest road in the fall

Bronze scrub oak thickets and pitch pines in late autumn

FAQ

Hunting FAQ

When is hunting season in Massachusetts in 2026?

It depends on the game. MassWildlife's 2026 dates: archery deer October 5 to November 28, shotgun deer November 30 to December 12, primitive firearms deer December 14 to 31, and pheasant and quail October 17 to December 31.

Can you hunt in Myles Standish State Forest?

Yes, in two Wildlife Management Areas inside the forest that are managed for pheasant and quail. DCR asks hunters to call ahead to confirm dates.

Is there hunting on Sundays in Massachusetts?

No. Massachusetts prohibits hunting on Sunday.

When is shotgun deer season in Massachusetts?

In 2026, November 30 to December 12, statewide in zones 1 to 14. Hunters must wear 500 square inches of blaze orange.

Do hikers need to wear orange at Myles Standish?

DCR asks all trail users to be aware of hunting seasons and wear blaze orange when appropriate. The Bentley Loop crosses a stocked Wildlife Management Area.

Where do pheasant hunters park at Myles Standish?

DCR's trail map puts the Pheasant Wildlife Management Area at the Bentley Trail Lot and the Quail Wildlife Management Area along the pull-offs on Cutter Field Road.