Photo by Billkenney.com

For the most part, deer-hunting seasons for 2005 are coming to a close across the rooftop of New England, but along the southern edge of the region things are still going strong and there is still plenty of time and opportunity to fill the freezer.

Some deer-hunting seasons will continue through the end of December in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and through the end of January in Rhode Island.

By all accounts, deer populations are doing well in these states, so hunters can expect to see plenty of whitetails this month.

All things considered, there is no valid reason to put away your favorite gun or bow just yet.

MASSACHUSETTS
Bay State bowhunters have until Nov. 26 to fill their deer tags this year. Last year, archers tagged just over 3,000 whitetails statewide, the second highest harvest ever. Only shotgun hunters tagged more.

An archery stamp is required to hunt in any open zone in addition to the hunting or sporting license. Crossbows may be used during the archery season but only by permanently handicapped hunters and by special permit only.

For more details on current regulations and applications, contact the MassWildlife offices at (508) 792-7270.

The Massachusetts shotgun season runs into early December as well. In zones 1-11 and 14, the season closes Dec. 10, or Dec. 3 in zones 12 and 13, which includes Cape Cod and Dukes County.

The shotgun season is the most popular hunting season in the Commonwealth. Hunters tagged 6,682 deer in 2004.

The muzzleloading deer season will open Dec. 12 and end Dec. 31. Only shoulder-fired muzzleloaders from .44 caliber to .775 caliber with a barrel length of 18 inches or more with one barrel are allowed. In-line ignition systems are legal providing the rifle loads from the muzzle. Hinge action muzzleloaders are prohibited. Rifles must be loaded with a single projectile and sabot-loads, 209-type primers and scopes are permitted.

As in most states, a muzzleloader is considered unloaded in Massachusetts if the cap or pan powder has been removed.

An antlerless deer tag is required in order to take an antlerless deer during the muzzleloading season and a special stamp is required.

Despite its size and population of over six million people, finding a place to hunt in Massachusetts is not a problem. Starting in 1984 and again in 1988 and 1996, the state legislature approved bonds that provided funds for the acquisition of open space for public recreation, including hunting. In 1990, legislation was filed requiring all sportsmen and women to purchase a $5 Wildlands Conservation Stamp annually to augment the bond money. From this source about $1.5 million has been generated annually for land acquisitions.

Today, MassWildlife manages nearly 120,000 acres of public land open to hunting across the Commonwealth, and other environmental agencies hold nearly 500,000 acres of open space in outright public ownership or under publicly held conservation or agricultural restrictions. Nearly all of these lands are open to hunting, and represent over 11 percent of the state-owned land.

These designated wildlife management areas are a blessing for sportsmen in the state, considering obtaining access to private land is not always possible and most areas are getting more crowded each year.

Varying in size from over 10,000 acres, such as the Barre Falls WMA in Barre, Hubbardston and Rutland, to less than 100 acres, such as the Millers River WMA in Wendell and the Rochester WMA in Rochester, each offers public access and hunting opportunities at a time when open space is becoming increasingly difficult to find. With over 100 WMAs available, chances are there is one near you waiting to be explored and hunted.