Martha’s Vineyard Deer Season 2026: New Dates & Trail Closures
The quick answer for walkers
You can still walk during deer season. The catch is that not every public trail follows the same rule. A state forest, Land Bank reservation, Sheriff’s Meadow property and town trail can each handle access differently on the same date.
For 2026, Massachusetts added a September season and a separate January–February winter window for Zones 13–14. The January–February 2026 window is over; use the next official calendar before planning a winter trip.
This page was checked against published rules and property policies on July 8, 2026. Posted closures and current trailhead notices control access on the day.
Three dates that change trip planning
- Sep 21–Oct 1: new early season in Zones 13–14.
- Nov 30–Dec 12: shotgun period; 16 named Land Bank reservations close to non-hunting visitors.
- Jan 1–Feb 14, 2026: completed winter window for Zones 13–14. Check the official calendar before planning a 2027 winter walk.
Every 2026 deer-season date that affects Martha’s Vineyard walkers
| Season | 2026 dates | Why walkers should care | Deer-hunting equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Deer Season | Jan 1–Feb 14 | 2026 Zones 13–14 winter window — completed. Check MassWildlife’s island-season page before planning a 2027 winter visit. | Archery and primitive firearms; no shotguns. |
| Early Deer Season | Sep 21–Oct 1 | New Zones 13–14 early fall window. It arrives before the regular archery season. | Archery and primitive firearms; no shotguns. |
| Youth Deer Hunt | Oct 3 | A one-day hunt. Check the specific property before planning a walk in the woods. | State youth-hunt rules apply. |
| Archery Deer Season | Oct 5–Nov 28 | Many properties remain open, but archery can be permitted on nearby conservation land. | Archery. |
| Shotgun Deer Season | Nov 30–Dec 12 | The period with the strictest Land Bank closures. The Land Bank closure list below applies to all 16 named Part 2 reservations. | Shotgun. |
| Primitive Firearms Season | Dec 14–31 | Still part of the regular calendar before the new Zones 13–14 winter window begins. | Primitive firearms and archery. |
Choose your walking plan by the date
Sep 21–Oct 1 · Early Deer Season
This is the new autumn window for Zones 13–14. Check the land manager, read the trailhead notice and wear a bright outer layer where hunting is permitted.
Oct 5–Nov 28 · Archery Season
Many public properties remain open. The Land Bank generally keeps trails open for walking outside the shotgun exception, but individual properties can still have permits, signs or special instructions.
Nov 30–Dec 12 · Shotgun Season
Start with the 16-property Land Bank table below. Those reservations close to non-hunting visitors; other land managers follow their own posted rules.
Jan 1–Feb 14, 2026 · Winter Deer Season
This 2026 window is complete. Before a 2027 winter walk, check the official calendar and the latest notice from the land manager; do not assume the 2026 dates repeat automatically.
The 16 Land Bank reservations that close during shotgun season
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank states that all properties in its deer-shotgun program are closed to all visitors except permitted hunters during the two-week shotgun deer season. That is stricter than the Land Bank’s usual access rule during other game seasons.
| Land Bank reservation | Town | Shotgun-period visitor rule |
|---|---|---|
| Brine’s Pond Preserve | Edgartown | Closed to all visitors except permitted hunters |
| Blackwater Pond Reservation | West Tisbury | Closed to all visitors except permitted hunters |
| Chappy Five Corners Preserve | Edgartown | Closed to all visitors except permitted hunters |
| Gay Head Moraine | Aquinnah | Closed to all visitors except permitted hunters |
| John Presbury Norton Farm | West Tisbury | Closed to all visitors except permitted hunters |
| Middle Line Woods Preserve | Chilmark | Closed to all visitors except permitted hunters |
| Peaked Hill Reservation | Chilmark | Closed to all visitors except permitted hunters |
| Poucha Pond Reservation | Edgartown | Closed to all visitors except permitted hunters |
| Quammox Preserve | Edgartown | Closed to all visitors except permitted hunters |
| Ripley’s Field Preserve | Tisbury | Closed to all visitors except permitted hunters |
| Sepiessa Point Reservation | West Tisbury | Closed to all visitors except permitted hunters |
| Southern Woodlands Reservation | Oak Bluffs | Closed to all visitors except permitted hunters |
| Tiasquam Valley Reservation | Chilmark | Closed to all visitors except permitted hunters |
| Tisbury Meadow Preserve | Tisbury | Closed to all visitors except permitted hunters |
| Wapatequa Woods Reservation | Oak Bluffs & Tisbury | Closed to all visitors except permitted hunters |
| Waskosim’s Rock Reservation | Chilmark & West Tisbury | Closed to all visitors except permitted hunters |
This is the Land Bank’s published Part 2 deer-shotgun list, checked July 8, 2026. It is not a list of every place where hunting occurs; always follow the current notice at the site.
Different managers, different walking rules
Before choosing a trail, check who manages it and what that manager has posted for the season. Rules are property by property: a public trail is not automatically hunting-free, and deer season does not automatically close every trail.
Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank
Walking remains open during game seasons except on the 16 listed deer-shotgun properties, which close to all visitors except permitted hunters. Outside shotgun season, hunting is not allowed within direct sight of a hiking trail. Read the Land Bank’s current hunting policy, then confirm the property name and the trailhead notice before setting out.
Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation
Deer hunting is limited to designated properties and requires a written permit. Sheriff’s Meadow says its archery period extends through the state shotgun and primitive-firearms seasons. Properties that are normally open to the public remain open, with annual signs posted at hunted sites. See Sheriff’s Meadow’s current hunting information and check the entrance sign for the property you plan to use.
State, town, Trustees or private conservation land
Rules are set by the individual manager. A public trail can stay open, have a controlled hunt or close temporarily. Use MassWildlife’s current island-season page for the state dates; then check the land manager’s notice and confirm it at the trailhead.
How to choose a walk during deer season
- During Nov 30–Dec 12: cross the 16 Land Bank shotgun reservations off your walking list first.
- Outside that window: a posted land-manager rule matters more than a general travel guide or route app.
- On Sheriff’s Meadow land: check whether the property is designated for hunting, then read the entrance sign.
- With children or a dog: use a marked route, keep the dog close and visible, and follow the property’s dog rule.
The four-minute check before you walk
Identify the manager
Confirm who owns or manages the specific route. A trail name alone is not enough.
Check the current notice
Use the manager’s current seasonal information, not an older hiking article or route-app note.
Read the entrance sign
A trailhead sign can announce a closure, a controlled hunt or a property-specific restriction.
Be easy to identify
Wear blaze orange, keep dogs close and visible, follow the property’s dog rule, and avoid muted outer layers that blend into woodland.
What changed in 2026 — and what did not
2026 change: Martha’s Vineyard has an Early Deer Season from September 21 to October 1 and a Winter Deer Season from January 1 to February 14. Both apply only in Zones 13 and 14 and use archery equipment and primitive firearms, not shotguns.
Unchanged: the November 30–December 12 shotgun period is still when the Land Bank’s 16 named properties close to non-hunting visitors. That is why this page separates the state calendar from property-access rules.
Common Questions
What changed in Martha’s Vineyard deer hunting for 2026?
In 2026, the Island added an Early Deer Season from September 21 to October 1 and a Winter Deer Season from January 1 through February 14. Both apply only in Wildlife Management Zones 13 and 14. The January–February window is complete; check the official calendar before planning a winter visit.
Can I walk on Martha’s Vineyard during deer season?
Yes. The rule depends on the property and the season. Some land stays open while regulated hunting is allowed; the 16 Land Bank reservations listed above close to non-hunting visitors during the shotgun deer season.
Are the new early and winter seasons shotgun seasons?
No. In 2026, the Early and Winter Deer Seasons in Zones 13 and 14 allow archery equipment and primitive firearms, not shotguns.
Which Land Bank reservations close to walkers during shotgun season?
All 16 names are listed in the table above, from Brine’s Pond through Waskosim’s Rock. They are the Land Bank’s published Part 2 deer-shotgun reservations, not just a sample of popular trails.
How do I choose a simpler route during deer season?
During the November 30–December 12 shotgun period, cross the 16 listed Land Bank reservations off your walking list first. At other times, use the current policy of the manager that controls the route and confirm it again at the entrance.
Do non-hunters need blaze orange?
The legal clothing rule for hunters is different, but MassWildlife and local land managers recommend blaze orange for everyone using the woods during hunting seasons. It also makes children and dogs easier to see.
Is Manuel F. Correllus State Forest a no-hunting place?
No. It is multi-use public land, not a no-hunting refuge by default. Check the current state notice and the entrance information, then wear high-visibility clothing when walking in season.
What should I check on the day of my walk?
Confirm the manager, the latest notice and the trailhead sign. A seasonal closure, controlled hunt, weather issue or wildlife-protection rule can change access after a general guide is published.