Where to Hunt In Massachusetts

Dear Reader,

While we're all freezing in the BOMB CYCLONE there are some things you can do to keep "hunting in January." For more activities see my last blog post.

Finding a great spot is much of the battle to enter the world of hunting. I see tree stands in the woods all the time on public land where I know people do not have permission to hunt. Still, the only people that would find such stands are nuts like me looking for a spot a big buck might want to take a nap every few days. I know why regulations exist: what if the whole forest were filled with tree stands? That isn't right.

There's a tool in Massachusetts to find public land and the number of spots is surprisingly large. Go to the Mass Wildlife Lands Viewer. You can find the wildlife management areas there.

Many people don't know that some of Massachusetts State Forests are huntable too. Click on that link to find State Forests that are have allowed hunting.

Here's another link you might not have thought of: US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS. Go to that page and search the installment near you. Many of the site are hundreds of acres and allow hunting!

Municipal Land or conservation land may be hunt able but you need to ask the town. Some towns, like Medfield, MA, have "no discharge" laws meaning you can't hunt them at all even with arrows; however, a call to the town hall will reveal the town of Midfield has a town bowhunting program to reduce the herd and Lyme disease. You need to apply.

Did you know some lovers of wildlife such as Mass Audubon have a bow hunting program? These sanctuaries have not been hunted for 50-60 years and have monster bucks and huge populations. How can you say you're managing a forest when herds of deer are clearing so much brush your ground nesting birds have no place to breed? Species like grouse and quail have suffered since hungry White Tails have taken their traditional habitat.

Lastly, you need to get acquainted with Oliver. No, not a Victorian orphan "Oliver' is the MASS GIS tool to find great plots of land public or Private. I've been searching Mass Wildlife, DCR, US ARMY CORPS, conservation sites, and OLIVER for months and I can say in a State that supposedly has no open land Massachusetts has some truly great hunting spots. You'd better find your spots quickly because you should be checking the snow tracks! Good luck - I'll have more news soon enough.