On November 19, 2025, the Natural Resources Commission unanimously approved a pilot, controlled bow hunt at Barrett’s Mill Farm through December 31, 2025. The pilot bow hunt has support from the state level and aims to address ongoing significant crop and row cover damage from deer at Barrett’s Mill Farm. Notices of the hunting program will be posted on Barrett’s Mill Farm parcels. Only parcels 15B, 52X, and 42A will be included in the controlled hunt area. All trails on the property will remain open.
Conservation Land Use Permits will be issued to a limited number of hunters, who will be able to bow hunt under the following conditions:
- Valid MA hunting license (which means they have completed MA Hunter Safety Training)
- Valid driver’s license
- Tree stand location noted on a map provided to DNR
- Tree stands to be temporary and removed at the end of the season
- Hunting timing:
- Monday through Friday
- ½ hour before sunrise to 10am; 3p – ½ hour after sunset
- Doe only (to preclude trophy antler hunters, and to encourage a long-term reduction in deer population by only taking does that contribute long-term to the deer population)
- At least 100 feet from trails, 150 feet from roads, and 500 feet from occupied dwellings
- Follow all relevant MA hunting regulations and statutes
- Hunters to provide at least 2 hours of service on conservation land (this may be held off this year as the season only runs until the end of December)
Contact Natural Resources for more information-978-318-3285.