Hunting season is underway. Massachusetts urges hikers to wear blaze orange

Fall walks in Massachusetts woods now overlap with several hunting seasons, and MassWildlife is asking everyone outdoors, not only hunters, to wear blaze orange.

Key 2026 dates

Hunting is not allowed on Sundays in Massachusetts, which makes Sunday a good day for a walk if you'd rather avoid it.

What hunters must wear

During shotgun deer season, and for deer hunters during primitive firearms season, state rules require at least 500 square inches of blaze orange on the chest, back and head, with an exemption for coastal waterfowl hunters in a blind or boat. Pheasant and quail hunters on certain stocked Wildlife Management Areas must wear an orange cap or hat.

Tips for everyone else

According to MassWildlife:

• Wear a bright orange vest or hat, and skip earth tones and animal-colored clothing.
• Be most visible early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when hunters are most active.
• Keep dogs leashed and put an orange vest or bandana on them.
• Talk or whistle so hunters know you are there; if you hear shots, call out.
• Remember that MassWildlife lands, most state parks and forests and many town lands allow hunting.

Suspected wildlife violations can be reported to the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075.