Farmington River Wildlife Management Area: hunting, access and parking in Zone 3
Farmington River Wildlife Management Area is 1,926 acres of MassWildlife land in Becket and Otis (Berkshire County), in Wildlife Management Zone 3 and 4S. MassWildlife says all of its WMAs are open to hunting, fishing and trapping. Hunters took 706 deer in Zone 3 in 2025, and MassWildlife maps 6 parking areas for the property with room for about 16 vehicles.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: MassWildlife's Farmington River WMA fact sheet. Harvest: MassWildlife 2025 Deer Harvest Summary. Seasons: MassWildlife deer hunting regulations (2026 dates).
MassWildlife (Fish and Game) landState forest and park land (DCR)Farmington River WMAZone lineParkingHighway
| Size | 1,926 acres (MassWildlife), in 8 pieces |
|---|---|
| Town | Becket and Otis |
| County | Berkshire |
| Wildlife Management Zone | Zone 3, Zone 4S |
| MassWildlife district | Western District |
| Parking (MassWildlife) | 6 lots, about 16 spaces |
| Deer taken in Zone 3, 2025 | 706 (419 adult males) |
| Nearest town centers | Otis (under a mile), Becket (3 mi) and Tyringham (3 mi) |
What is Farmington River WMA like?
MassWildlife describes it: "The Farmington River WMA consists of mature mixed northern hardwoods including oak, maple, birch, cherry, and ash. Eastern hemlock and white pine stands are scattered throughout the area. Shrub swamps and wetlands are also common. The West Branch of the Farmington River runs through the eastern portion of the property. Mud Pond is part of a diverse bog complex known as an acidic shrub fen."
On its habitat work: "In 2017 habitat management was completed on Becket/Johnson Road to create about 50 acres of young forest. In 2022 work was completed on 90 adjacent acres."
On wildlife: "Occasionally, moose inhabit the area. This property provides access to the West Branch of the Farmington River and also protects a diverse bog complex."
Quoted from MassWildlife's Farmington River WMA fact sheet.
What does MassWildlife say about hunting Farmington River WMA?
"White-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, snowshoe hare, black bear, river otter, fisher, American beaver, and waterfowl are abundant at this WMA. The numerous wetland areas provide excellent aquatic furbearer habitat. Recent habitat management cuts have created a diverse mix of cover and food sources for numerous game species. The Farmington River flows through the western portion of the area and a few small streams originate on the property. MassWildlife stocks the Farmington River with trout. Go to mass.gov/trout for more information."
How do you get into Farmington River WMA?
"There are no maintained parking areas. There are old log landings and pull-offs on Ed Jones Road, the west side of Route 8, Merritt Road, Becket Road, Johnson Road and at the end Tannery Road that can be used for parking."
| Parking | Spaces | Surface | Condition | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parking | 3 | Grass | Fair | 42.22789 | -73.08233 |
| Parking | 2 | Grass | Fair | 42.22986 | -73.11622 |
| Parking | 3 | Grass | Fair | 42.22861 | -73.10894 |
| Parking | 3 | Grass | Fair | 42.20259 | -73.06023 |
| Parking | 3 | Good | 42.22969 | -73.11129 | |
| Parking | 2 | Dirt | Fair | 42.23347 | -73.07994 |
From MassWildlife parking for recreation.
Highways within five miles: I-90, MA 8, MA 23 and US 20. Distances to the nearest town centers: Otis under a mile, Becket 3 miles, Tyringham 3 miles and Blandford 5 miles. Other WMAs nearby: Long Mountain (3 miles), Shales Brook (3 miles), John J. Kelly (6 miles).
When can you hunt deer on Farmington River WMA in 2026?
Deer seasons follow Zone 3: archery October 5 to November 28, shotgun November 30 to December 12, primitive firearms December 14 to 31. In 2025 the zone gave 259 deer to archers and 311 in shotgun season.
Seasons: MassWildlife deer hunting regulations (2026 dates). Harvest: MassWildlife 2025 Deer Harvest Summary; MassWildlife 2024 Deer Harvest Summary.
What rules apply on Farmington River WMA?
Under 321 CMR 3.01, camping, fires and target practice need the Director's written permission, vehicles stay on roads open to traffic, and dogs must be leashed unless hunting or training with a licensed hunter.
Source: MassWildlife WMA regulations.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Farmington River WMA?
Yes. MassWildlife says all WMAs are open to hunting, fishing and trapping; deer seasons follow Zone 3, where the 2026 shotgun season runs November 30 to December 12 (MassWildlife WMA regulations).
What zone is Farmington River WMA in?
Zone 3 (266 acres) and Zone 4S (1,660 acres), as MassWildlife's fact sheet gives it. Hunters took 706 deer in Zone 3 in 2025, 419 of them adult males, after 650 in 2024 (MassWildlife 2025 Deer Harvest Summary).
Where do you park for Farmington River WMA?
MassWildlife maps 6 parking areas: a lot (about 3 cars, grass); a lot (about 2 cars, grass); a lot (about 3 cars, grass); a lot (about 3 cars, grass). Its fact sheet adds: "There are no maintained parking areas. There are old log landings and pull-offs on Ed Jones Road, the west side of Route 8, Merritt Road, Becket Road, Johnson Road and at the end Tannery Road that can be used for parking."
What can you hunt on Farmington River WMA?
MassWildlife's fact sheet: "White-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, snowshoe hare, black bear, river otter, fisher, American beaver, and waterfowl are abundant at this WMA. The numerous wetland areas provide excellent aquatic furbearer habitat. Recent habitat management cuts have created a diverse mix of cover and food sources for numerous game species. The Farmington River flows through the western portion of the area and a few small streams originate on the property."
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Sources: MassWildlife fact sheet; MassWildlife Lands (MassGIS); MassWildlife parking for recreation; MassWildlife 2025 Deer Harvest Summary; MassWildlife deer hunting regulations (2026 dates); MassWildlife WMA regulations; public land MassGIS Protected and Recreational OpenSpace for state and Army Corps land; USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US 4.1) for federal land; towns U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 primary and secondary roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer, towns (county subdivisions). FilledTag is not part of Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife).