Blaze orange
500 square inches of fluorescent orange (chest, back, head) during firearms and primitive-arms deer seasons; an orange cap alone is enough only on certain Wildlife Management Areas during pheasant/quail season; waterfowl hunters in a blind or boat are exempt.
Loaded firearms in vehicles
A firearm carried in a vehicle must be unloaded, unless under the direct control of a properly licensed person; there's an exception for crossing a public way while legally hunting.
Tagging
Deer harvests must be reported within 48 hours, online via MassFishHunt or at a physical check station; deer taken in the first week of shotgun season must be brought to a physical station. A paper tag with the confirmation number must stay attached until the deer is processed.
License year
Calendar year; licenses expire December 31, with next year's licenses going on sale December 1.