Hunting Guidelines

Deer hunting season in Massachusetts zones 1- 9 ,which includes Pepperell, begins October 19 and continues through the end of the year. All NCT properties are open to hunting unless posted. Most other conservation areas in Pepperell are also open to hunting. Please check the Town and State websites for details. For more information on the MA hunting seasons and hunting zones please click here.

The State of Massachusetts recommends that "all outdoor users who are in the woods during hunting seasons should wear blaze orange clothing as a precaution. Pets should also wear an orange vest or bandana for visibility.” For more information on wearing blaze orange please visit Mass.gov by clicking here.

Nashoba Conservation Trust Hunting/Tree Stand Policy

Nashoba Conservation Trust recognizes and values both the tradition and wildlife management roles of hunting. Therefore, unless posted otherwise, our properties are open to hunting in accordance with all applicable MA DFW hunting regulations and NCT land use policies.

Tree stands are allowed on NCT properties where hunting is permitted; however, permission must be acquired first by emailing contact@nashobatrust.org prior to installation. Tree stands must not be secured with any fasteners that intrude through the bark into the wood of the tree and they must be secured at all times when not attended i.e. ladders must be locked in the "up" position. Tree stands should have a weatherproof label attached which identifies ownership including name, address and phone number. Tree stands may be erected up to two weeks before the start of MA deer hunting season and are to be removed within 30 days of the end of the season. Any tree stand not compliant with these requirements is subject to confiscation and disposal without warning. To avoid injury, we recommend that you follow the DFW’s tree stand safety tips found here.

Recreational use of Nashoba Conservation Trust and other conservation properties during hunting seasons

Unless posted otherwise, NCT properties are open to hunting in accordance with all applicable MA DFW hunting regulations and NCT land use policies. Likewise, the state wildlife management areas in Pepperell are open to hunting, as are most of the Town's conservation areas, except Nissitissit Meadows and Keyes Parker conservation areas. Heald Orchard allows archery hunting by special permit thru 12/31. Also note that some of Pepperell's protected open space is contiguous with land in Townsend, Groton, and Dunstable in MA and with neighboring towns in NH. Outdoor recreationists are advised to consult those towns for local rules that may apply.

Although hunting for various game animals is permitted throughout much of the year, deer hunting season, which runs from approximately the end of September to December 31 of each year, tends to be the most active. Outdoor recreationists are advised to wear blaze orange outerwear when using areas open to hunting in order to increase visibility.

For a complete list of hunting dates and hunting regulations in Massachusetts, please visit the Mass.gov website here.

Do not copy or reproduce in any form for any reason without written permission from Nashoba Conservation Trust.