Hello, I've really been wanting to go deer hunting for a long time now. I've liked it ever since I was a little kid, but my dad is not into it and no one else I know is either so I never got the chance to go. Now that I turned 18 I would like to hunt for the first time in my life. I live in Lynn, MA (moved here from Boston last yea). On my way to the Noth Shore mall the bus driver spotted a deer (I think it was in Peabody or Danvers). There was also a farm in Peabody which told me that they sometimes saw deer on their lands. I have no clue where to start deer hunting though, I will need to get a license and gear and everything. Anyone know what I can do to get ready? Anyone know of any places in East MA where I have a good chance at bagging a deer (any legal deer will do, doesn't have to be a great deer). Thanks a lot.

Just caught the deer bug...

Ramiro

Good for you Ramiro. Deer hunting here in Mass can be very good.

First thing you need to do is get your hunter safety course certificate. There are several places you can do this, first check the Mass Wildlife site -
Mass Wildlife site

There are a few places in Eastern Mass you can usually find a class, or you can call the Mass Fish and Game Dept and ask where the next closest class will be. Also, you are going to need an FID card. You can get that by going to your local police department and filling out the paperwork. It will take a a month or 2 so I suggest doing it sooner rather than later. The FID card is required to travel with your firearm in your car to your hunting spot.

If you do those 2 things and are at the point of buying a hunting license, I'll email you 3 or 4 places to try hunting for your fist time that are within 30 or so minutes of Lynn.

Good luck .... I know it is more than a hassle to get started here in Mass, but it's worth it once you get in the woods each fall.

I know I will ned a hunting license for deer, although I'm not sure how the tags work. I went to the masswildlife site but it seems a bit confusing. After the license I will need a tag for each deer, right? Is there a lottery system for the tags? Do I have a fair chance at getting one for my zone? Thanks a lot. Ill be on contact in you when I'm ready to head out. I would really like to do some scouting right now if that's at all wise and possible. let me know. thanks.

Buck85-

When you buy your hunting license you receive 2 buck tags. The licenses you "draw" are antlerless tags, and you must decide which unit you wish to try and draw in. If you do not draw an antlerless tag, you can only hunt bucks.

Depending on where you'll be hunting .. probably Zone 10 as that is the NorthEast section of the state, you'll get a tag if you apply early enough.

As far as deer in your zone, there were 1822 taken in zone 10. 787 were bucks, 818 were does and 217 were button's. There are a lot of deer in this zone.. you just need to do a lot of scouting to find a spot to hunt and has deer on it. Don't overlook small huntable areas .. .some of the best deer hunting in this very suburban area will be in woodlots less than 100 acres.

Do I need a License to Carry (LTC) to buy a shotgun or muzzleloader? If I do than I can't get one because it sais on the site that new applicants must me atleast 21 years of age and I'm 18. Thanks.

Any types of licenses required for a bow?

Can I buy, own, and transport my own gun and ammo even though I'm only 18? It sais on the site that the License to Carry is for people 21+. Is that necessary for owning a muzzleloader, shotgun, or bow? I'm worried that it is since that would mean I would have to wait till I'm 21, and I've felt that I've waited long enough now that I'm 18. I've been wanting to go for as long as I can remember. I need to get my driver's license ASAP since I don't expect my dad to take me. He thinks of hunting and fishing as a waste of time.

Buck-

Your questions remind me how much there is to know and without a mentor it's hard to get it all right.

No, you do not need a license to carry (ltc). You do need a FID card and you can get one of them at 18. Head to the Lynn police department, tell them you will be going on your first deer hunt this fall and need a FID card to be legal. They'll get you the paperwork you need. You can only buy shotguns and rifles and ammo with your FID card though, no pistols! For that you need to jump through hoops and get that LTC .. if the Police Chief in your town feels like issuing you one.

I could be wrong, but I do not think you need a Bowhunter Class certification to buy an Archery stamp. When you buy your hunting license you can choose to buy an archery stamp for an extra $5.00 . It is definitely easier to find hunting spots with archery equipment than with shotguns!

I want to get my license so I can drive to these courses on my own. After that I will get my FID card and then my hunting license. hopefully I'll be ready come opening day. Thanks a lot.

Getting a drivers license is probably the best way to start. I'm not sure if a bus driver will let you strap a deer to the top of the bus.