Hunting Guidelines

The hunting dates for the 2026 deer season are as follows:

  • Early Deer Season: September 21 – October 1*
  • Youth Deer Hunt: October 2 and 3
  • Archery Deer Season: October 5 – November 28
  • Paraplegic Hunt: October 29 – October 31
  • Shotgun Deer Season: November 30 – December 12
  • Primitive Firearms: December 14 – December 31
  • 2027 Winter Deer Season: January 1 – February 13

Hunting plays an important public health role in controlling the deer population which reduces the incidence of tick-borne diseases, deer-vehicle collisions, and over-browsing which hinders plant regeneration. This not only has benefits for humans but also the overall health of the deer herd and our native plant communities.

Most Land Bank properties are open to hunting, with only a few exceptions. Hunting is prohibited at Burchell Farm, Cato Commons (previously known as Trimpi) trail systems, and Burnt Swamp Trails. These specific properties will also be posted with signage prohibiting hunting at the entrances. For other properties that are closed to hunting, visit the Nantucket Conservation Foundation’s website: Hunting | Nantucket Conservation Foundation.

Hunting season represents a window of time when public lands are shared perhaps more than ever, and the Land Bank is an organization that is dedicated to public land access. For Land Bank-specific questions, please call our office at 508-228-7240. For general hunting information, please visit the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife webpage: Hunting Regulations | Mass.gov.

MassWildlife provides helpful information for island hunters here: Deer hunting on Nantucket. They are responsible for the conservation of all wildlife in the Commonwealth and provides all hunting dates for all game species in Massachusetts. That list can be found here: 2026 hunting season summary. For more information on MassWildlife’s conservation work, visit their website: Division of Fisheries and Wildlife | Mass.gov.    

MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest Program launched in 2022 with only one venison donation site and since their creation, an additional 19 sites have joined, donating over 100,000 meals in total to families in need. This program was created so that hunters could share and donate their harvested venison with Massachusetts residents in need while also supporting conservation efforts. Visit MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest Program | Mass.gov for more information on this program.

The Nantucket Land Bank Agriculture Processing Center allows hunters to donate whole field dressed deer to MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest. On Nantucket, this venison goes directly to the Nantucket Food Pantry and Nourish Nantucket, serving our community exclusively. 

Non-hunters, please take note:

  • Know the 2026-2027 Hunting Schedule. 
  • Wear orange or other bright colors while out recreating.
  • If you would like to avoid areas that are open to hunting, we recommend you seek out properties where hunting is prohibited.
  • Keep dogs on leashes and preferably wearing bright orange hunting vests or reflective collars while out walking.