So fellas I may be relocating due to work and was wondering what to expect as far as public hunting opportunities. If things go the way they are looking now I will be moving to the New Bedford area. Hopefully outside of the city though in the Westport area or somewhere south west of north of the city. My question for you guys is where would the closest hunting be to that area? I am trying to plan my move to an area where i can easily access some hunting. Thanks for any help

-WHACKER

Whacker, just started thinking about hunting again so I apologize for the delay.

First, I don't hunt SE MAss (zone 3) but the deer density in eastern Mass is high, in particular, in the southeast and northeast. There are some pretty good WMAs not too far from New Bedford and Miles Standish State Forest is huge. Also, camp Edwards just over the canal has a two day archery hunt and a one week shotgun (that can be pretty crazy with huge numbers of hunters) and a few days black powder, Camp Edwards is loaded with deer. Finally, and I don't hunt in RI, but it has a late deer season that I think runs into January and it has one of the earlier starting archery seasons.

I live 26 miles north of boston and live right next to a state forest which I hunt all the time and the hunter pressure in there is minimal .... I suspect you will find the same at Miles Standish or some of the other WMAs ... good luck!

The deer populations are vey high in SE Massachusetts. You can pretty much buy unlimited over the counter doe tags for $5 each. A good source for the public land areas and maps is located here:

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/maps/wma/wma_maps.htm

Some specalzed hunts are also in place that info is here:

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/hunting/hunting_opportunities.htm

Bob

Western MA is very low as compared to out there... The only good state land out here is October Mtn & Beartown Mtn state forests. Very BIG woods... Not alot of deer... but beautiful country and some BIG deer.