After 50 years without hunting, in 1991 Quabbin Reservation was opened to limited, controlled public deer hunting. This action was in response to growing concern about the impacts of deer browsing on forest regeneration and the potential long-term consequences of those impacts on water quality. Hunting has been conducted on the reservation each year since. The hunt is held during the 2-week shotgun season. This was the first year muzzleloaders were used.

The results of the 2007 Quabbin Deer Hunt at Pelham, Hardwick, Prescott and New Salem are preliminary numbers. This data will be finalized and published in the report: Quabbin Reservation White-Tailed Deer Impact Management Program: Results from 2007. Overall there were 149 deer harvested, 74 male/ 73 female. The largest deer was 191lbs.