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Massachusetts Legal Hunting Hours (2026)

Info: In Massachusetts, general hunting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

InfoVerified Jun 18, 2026

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Official source: mass.gov →

Massachusetts legal hunting hours by date

The rule above (general hunting hours): 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, worked out from each place’s own sunrise and sunset. Start times are rounded up and end times down to the minute.

Legal hunting hours for Boston, Massachusetts
Boston	Start (EDT)	End (EDT)
Sat, Oct 17	6:30 AM	6:28 PM
Sun, Oct 18	6:31 AM	6:27 PM
Mon, Oct 19	6:32 AM	6:25 PM
Tue, Oct 20	6:34 AM	6:24 PM
Wed, Oct 21	6:35 AM	6:22 PM
Thu, Oct 22	6:36 AM	6:21 PM
Fri, Oct 23	6:37 AM	6:19 PM
Sat, Oct 24	6:38 AM	6:18 PM
Sun, Oct 25	6:40 AM	6:16 PM
Mon, Oct 26	6:41 AM	6:15 PM
Tue, Oct 27	6:42 AM	6:14 PM
Wed, Oct 28	6:43 AM	6:12 PM
Thu, Oct 29	6:44 AM	6:11 PM
Fri, Oct 30	6:46 AM	6:09 PM

Sunrise moves about 4 minutes for every 50 miles east or west, so times where you hunt can differ from Boston. Seasons, species, special areas and Sundays can have their own hours — check the official source before you hunt. Sunday hunting in Massachusetts

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Legal Hunting Hours in states bordering Massachusetts

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

ConnecticutInfo
In Connecticut, deer hunting hours run from 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset, and small game hours from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Raccoon and opossum may be hunted at night.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: portal.ct.gov · Full Connecticut rule →
New HampshireInfo
In New Hampshire, general legal hunting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: wildlife.nh.gov · Full New Hampshire rule →
New YorkInfo
In New York, deer and bear may be hunted only from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: dec.ny.gov · Full New York rule →
Rhode IslandInfo
In Rhode Island, legal deer shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: dem.ri.gov · Full Rhode Island rule →
VermontInfo
In Vermont, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset (10 V.S.A. Sec. 4701).
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: legislature.vermont.gov · Full Vermont rule →

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