Harvard Sportsmen's Club

Hunting

 

Harvard Sportsmen’s Club Hunting Highlights

Normal hunting seasons apply to the Harvard Sportsmen’s Club.  Hunters at HSC MUST be Club Members and must be fully licensed in accordance with State and Federal regulations. Guests are not allowed to hunt at HSC.  Hunters must follow all State and Federal regulations. Hunting is not allowed on ranges, roadways, or near buildings.

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) manages wildlife using Wildlife Management Zones (WMZ).  Zones are delineated based on their capacity to support deer and other wildlife. The Zone Map shows the Club is mostly in Zone 9, with some property on the other side of 495 being in Zone 10.  

ZONE MAP

MA Hunting Summary

MassWildlife allows qualifying organizations to establish a licensed Hunting Preserve where a list of specific game birds can be stocked and Sunday hunting of those birds is permitted.  At HSC we choose to stock pheasants in our Preserve.

There is a big shift in hunting dates when we offer early pheasant hunting in the season. By opening up early we would effectively be cancelling the Archery Deer Hunt, Youth Deer Hunt, and Black Bear early season by putting early pressure on the property designated for hunting caused by more shotguns going off.

Our current plan is that we will open Pheasant Season at the Club starting on the 18 of October.  This would allow eleven (11) days of bow only hunting at the Club for Deer.  This also allows hunters to pheasant hunt elsewhere about two (2) weeks of the MA state season and then hunt pheasants on Sunday at the Club.

Trapping is not allowed on club property without explicit prior and written consent from the board. Hunters/Trappers wishing to trap on club property are required to request permission by sending information including member name, proposed trap location, trap type, install date, removal date, and contact information to board@harvardsportsmensclub.net and hunting@harvardsportsmensclub.net.

Hunting Stands and Hunting Blinds on HSC Property

Hunters using Stands or Blinds must inform the Board of the location, and date of installation. This is very important to help assure coordination, particularly if the Club is implementing forestry projects (tree cutting) or other maintenance activities. Stands and Blinds must be clearly and durably marked with the owner’s name, telephone number, and installation date. Trail cams are allowed but must also be tagged and reported. Stands, Cameras, Blinds, or any other implement not labeled will be confiscated. Stands and Blinds must be promptly removed after the hunting season in accordance with MassWildlife regulations. Hunters are required to   send information to board@harvardsportsmensclub.net and hunting@harvardsportsmensclub.net.

 Predator Hunting on HSC Property

Predator hunting is allowed on HSC property, however due to the number of pets and hunting dogs during the hours of 30 mins before sunrise to 30 mins after sunset - predator hunting is limited to nighttime from 30 mins after sunset to midnight for coyote hunting. After Jan 1, coyote hunting opens again until the season closes.

Reminder: Bobcat hunting is only allowed in MA WMZ Zones 1-7, and is not allowed at HSC (Zones 9 & 10).

Significant changes have been made to Massachusetts firearms laws. Go to Mass.gov/Hunting-with-Firearms for information about how this will impact hunting. Contact the MA Firearms Records Bureau for information about firearms licenses and firearms laws.

 

 

2025 – 2026 Pheasant Hunting Program

 

Hunters at HSC MUST be Club Members and must be fully licensed in accordance with State and Federal regulations. Guests are not allowed to hunt at HSC. The Pheasant Hunting Program is limited to Club Members only.  Club Members must buy into the program to participate. Club Members must wear their Club ID when hunting.  Hunting is not allowed on ranges, roadways, or near buildings.  Note: Massachusetts law views any person calling, working a hunting dog, flushing birds, or assisting a hunter in any way as actively engaged in hunting.

Club members wishing to participate in the 2025 – 2026 Pheasant Hunting Program must complete the HSC Registration Form, show proof of their current year MA Hunting License, and purchase their tags prior to hunting. All checks and money orders must be made out to “Harvard Sportsmen’s Club”.  Participants will receive five (5) tags for the sum of $75.00. 

The Hunting Preserve will open on October 18, 2025 to limit impacts on other hunting seasons and close on March 31, 2026.  

• Participants must have a current year MA Hunting License when purchasing tags and hunting.  
• Participating Members may hunt stocked birds (Pheasant) on Sundays.
• Participating Members may harvest either cock birds or hens.
• The club Members must wear their Club ID while hunting.
• There is no hunting within 500 feet of the Club House. 
• Bringing your own birds to the HSC Preserve for hunting or dog training is not permitted.
• Dog owners are responsible for their dogs at all times.  All dogs must be leashed when they are not actively engaged in hunting.  After your daily limit is reached hunters are to leash their dogs; no dog training during hunting season is permitted.
  While on the HSC Preserve, hunters must wear 500 square inches of visible Hunter Orange on their head, back, and chest while pheasant hunting.
• Shotshells no larger than #5 is allowed.
• Shooting birds on the ground is strictly prohibited to ensure the safety of hunter and dogs. Shooting out of trees is discouraged.
• All birds are to be tagged upon harvesting in the field; tag them where they lay, then retrieve the bird. Failure to do this will cause a disciplinary hearing with the Board of Directors, loss of hunting privileges and may result with permanent ejection from the Club.  Any hunter can be asked by any individual to show them their birds.
• The daily bag limit is two (2) birds. Hunters who successfully fill their five (5) tags may buy back into the program at the discretion of the HSC Pheasant Program Lead and the BOD, by re-registering and purchasing five (5) more tags for an additional $75.00. This may be repeated throughout the 2025-2026 season. 
• Use of previous years’ tags is prohibited.
• Harvested birds are to be removed “whole” from the Hunting Preserve (all Club property) and cleaned off premises.

 

 Policy Information and Tag Registration Form, click this link to download and fill out.

 

 

Hunters are required to submit a harvest log of the number birds taken and dates they were harvested. This can be done by sending an E-MAIL to the HSC Pheasant Lead at pheasant@harvardsportsmensclub.net.  Please provide your full name, the number of birds harvested, tag numbers used and the dates the birds were harvested.           

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