Hunting
Hunting on Conservation Lands
The Conservation Commission has allowed bow hunting on conservation land since 2006, mainly as a land management tool to reduce issues caused by overpopulation of white-tailed deer. Deer overpopulation affects the entire ecosystem, particularly forests, and can cause detrimental impacts including excessive destruction of vegetation, decrease native plant diversity, negative impacts to other wildlife and wildlife habitat, damage to landscaping and gardens, unhealthy deer herds, potential spread of tick-borne diseases and other illnesses, and collisions between vehicles and wildlife.
The hunting program, managed by the Conservation Department, has changed over time to adapt to land and wildlife management needs, hunter requests, and public input. In 2014, Town Meeting approved changes to the Town By-Laws to formally allow hunting on conservation land, consistent with state regulations, and the Commission created detailed Bow Hunting Regulations. In 2017, the Commission worked closely with hunters, residents, the Department of Fish and Game, and the Environmental Police to improve the program and its safety and effectiveness for managing the deer population. The regulations were most recently revised in 2025 to formally incorporate a lottery system as well as a preference for local Hingham residents. Deer and turkey hunters granted permission to hunt on conservation property are respectfully requested to report any observed issues and volunteer time for maintenance activities, such as trash removal and trail clearing.
Per state and local regulations, hunting is not allowed within 150 feet of roads or designated walking trails, or within 500 feet of any dwelling or building in use, unless permitted by the owner or occupant. Hunting is not allowed on Sundays, per state law. Visitors to conservation lands open to hunting are encouraged to wear blaze orange during the hunting season to be even more visible to any hunters, as explained on Mass.gov: Wear blaze orange during hunting season. Pets should also wear an orange vest or bandana for visibility.
2025 Bow Hunting Seasons
Turkey Season: April 28 through May 24
Deer Season: October 6 through December 13*
2025 Deer Season
The Conservation Commission allows deer hunting by permit only on designated conservation properties in Hingham. For the 2025 season, 35 permits will be issued exclusive of restricted Hingham resident permits. Applications for the Fall hunting season will be accepted (preferably electronically) until Thursday September 4, 2025, at noon. All prospective hunters must submit a complete application to be eligible for a permit, see Fall 2025 Deer Bow Hunting Application below. Please see also revised Bow Hunting Regulations, adopted July 7, 2025.
*Bow hunters with a state issued "primitive firearms stamp" may also hunt deer from December 15 through December 31.
2025 Turkey Season (Spring Only)
The Conservation Commission allows turkey hunting by permit only on designated conservation properties in Hingham. Applications for the Spring 2025 Turkey Season can be found below under Related Documents.