New Hunting License Purchase Requirements

Effective January 1, 2007 new legislation was signed by Governor Romney that will require first time hunting or sporting license (combination hunting and fishing) buyers to produce a certificate showing they have passed a basic hunter education course or show a hunting or sporting license from any previous year and/or any state or province. The recent legislation now reinstates the hunter education requirement that had been in place prior to major gun law changes in 1998. Below are Questions and Answers on this new legislation.

Click here for July MassWildlife Newsletter article.

Questions & Answers on New Hunting License Purchases

Q: Does everyone have to have a basic hunter education certificate before 2007 in order to obtain a license?

A: No. Adults who possess any prior year's hunting or sporting license from any state or province are exempt from taking and passing a hunter education course.

All minors between 15-17 years of age who wish to purchase a hunting license must produce the following documentation in order to purchase any hunting license. (There are no sporting licenses for minors.)

• A basic hunter education course certificate and a letter of consent allowing the minor to hunt from his or her parent or guardian OR
• A letter signed by the minor's parent or guardian affirming that the minor will be accompanied at all times by a licensed adult while hunting and a letter of consent allowing the minor to hunt from his or her parent or guardian.

No other documents may be accepted from any minor 15 -17 years of age (including a previous year's hunting license) for purchasing a hunting license.

Q: I took a state bowhunter education course and passed it. Will my bowhunter education certificate be accepted for purchasing a Massachusetts hunting license?

A: No. Bowhunter education certificates are not accepted for obtaining a hunting or sporting license in Massachusetts. You must have a certificate from a basic hunter education course.

Q: I live in Massachusetts am new to hunting. What do I need to purchase a hunting license?

A: Effective January 1, 2007, first time adult hunting or sporting license buyers must first show proof that they have successfully completed a basic hunter education course. Hunter education courses are available throughout the year in all regions of the state and are offered free of charge. Course information is found in the Education area of MassWildlife's website. Hunter education course certificates from other states, Canadian provinces and Mexico are also accepted for purchasing a Massachusetts hunting or sporting license..

Effective January 1, 2007, all minors between 15 and 17 years of age must produce the following documentation in order to purchase any hunting license. (There are no sporting licenses for minors.)

• A basic hunter education course certificate and a letter of consent allowing the minor to hunt from his or her parent or guardian OR
• A letter signed by the minor's parent or guardian affirming that the minor will be accompanied at all times by a licensed adult while hunting and a letter of consent allowing the minor to hunt from his or her parent or guardian.

No other documents may be accepted from any minor 15 -17 years of age (including a previous year's hunting license) for purchasing a hunting license.

Be advised that in order to hunt with most types of guns, Massachusetts residents need to contact their local police station and apply for either a Firearms Identification Card (FID) or a License to Carry Firearms (LTC). Contact your local police department for information about your status regarding Massachusetts gun licensing requirements.

Q: I've been hunting for over 20 years in Massachusetts, do I still have to take a basic hunter education course in order to buy a Massachusetts hunting or sporting license?

A: If you possess any prior year's hunting or sporting license from any state or province, you may purchase a license without taking the basic hunter education course. You will need that previous license (from any state or any year) to purchase the license on-line or over the counter. Effective January 1, 2007, FID cards and LTC cards will no longer be accepted for purchasing a hunting or sporting license.

If you wish to hunt in another state or Canadian province, you should contact the wildlife agency in those jurisdictions to learn about their hunting license requirements. You may have to show those jurisdictions proof that you have successfully completed a basic hunter education course in order to purchase a license from that province or state.

Q: If I have an FID card or LTC card, may I purchase a hunting or sporting license in 2007?

A: No. Effective January 1, 2007, Massachusetts FID and LTC cards will no longer be accepted for purchasing hunting/sporting licenses . The legislation now reflects the licensing requirement that had been in place prior to 1998.

Q: I took a basic hunter education course in the past but cannot find my certificate. Can I get a replacement certificate or do I have to take the course again?

A: The Massachusetts Hunter Education Program has maintained student records for the past 40 years. You can contact the MassWildlife Hunter Education office for a replacement course certificate. Fill out a request form online at or contact the Hunter Education office by phone at 508/792-7434. You will need to provide your name, current address, date of birth, and approximate year you took the course. It also helps if you remember the course location and know the address you lived at when you took the course.

Q: It's 2006 and I can't find my license from any previous year and want to go hunting in 2007. I never took a basic hunter education course. What can I do?

A: You have several options to choose from between now and 2007:

• If you have an FID card or an LTC card, you may purchase a 2006 hunting license. You should keep that license and when 2007 licenses are available, show the 2006 license as proof of a previous license.
• You may enroll and successfully complete a basic hunter education course which will allow you to purchase a hunting or sporting license. MassWildlife suggests that all hunters take a course so they will be introduced to safe firearms handling in the field and home, learn the hunting rules and regulations, recreate in a safe and ethical manner and become involved in conserving Massachusetts' wildlife and the habitat upon which it depends.
• If you can't find a previous license, you may sign a sworn statement stating that you did have a previous license.

Q: My daughter will turn 15 in 2007 and wants to go hunting with me then. What does she need to purchase a hunting license?

A: Effective January 1, 2007, all minors between 15 and 17 years of age must produce the following documentation in order to purchase any hunting license. (There are no sporting licenses for minors.)

• A basic hunter education course certificate and a letter of consent allowing the minor to hunt from his or her parent or guardian OR
• A letter signed by the minor's parent/guardian affirming that the minor will be accompanied at all times by a licensed adult while hunting and a letter of consent allowing the minor to hunt from his or her parent or guardian.

No other documents may be accepted from any minor 15 -17 years of age (including a previous year's hunting license) for purchasing a hunting license.

Minors between 12 and 14 years of age may hunt with certain restrictions, but do not need a license. Hunters 12-14 years old must be accompanied by an adult licensed hunter and they must share one firearm or bow between the two hunters. Only one minor/adult is permitted.

Q: I can only find my duplicate hunting license certificate, will that be acceptable for purchasing another hunting or sporting license?

A: Yes, a duplicate hunting or sporting license certificate will be accepted in order to purchase a hunting or sporting license.

Q: I don't (or can't) own a gun and plan to hunt with archery equipment as I have in the past. What do I need to obtain a hunting or sporting license?

A: Effective January 1, 2007, you need to produce a certificate showing you have passed a basic hunter education course or show a hunting or sporting license from any previous year and/or any state or province. Bowhunter education course certificates are not accepted. The license vendor will issue you a hunting or sporting license with the documentation you provide.

Q: I don't live in Massachusetts but plan to hunt there. What do I need in order to get a Massachusetts hunting license?

A: Effective January 1, 2007, if you are 18 years of age or older, you will need one of the two following documents:

• A basic hunter education course certificate from any state or province in order to purchase a non-resident big game or small game hunting license OR
• Any previous year's hunting license from any state or province.

All non-resident minors between 15 and 17 years of age must produce the following documentation in order to purchase any big game or small game hunting license:

• A basic hunter education course certificate and a letter of consent allowing the minor to hunt from his or her parent or guardian OR
• A letter signed by the minor's parent or guardian affirming that the minor will be accompanied at all times by a licensed adult while hunting and a letter of consent allowing the minor to hunt from his or her parent or guardian.

No other documents may be accepted from any minor 15 -17 years of age (including a previous year's hunting license) for purchasing a hunting license.

Non-resident minors between 12 and 14 years of age may hunt with certain restrictions, but do not need a license. Hunters 12-14 years old must be accompanied by an adult licensed hunter and they must share one firearm or bow between the two hunters. Only one minor/adult is permitted.

Once you have your valid non-resident Massachusetts hunting license, you may come to Massachusetts and hunt. Non-residents with a valid Massachusetts non-resident hunting license do not need any Massachusetts firearms permits to possess or carry a rifle or shotgun, but must carry their firearms unloaded an in a case while traveling in their vehicles. Non-residents may not purchase guns or ammunition in Massachusetts. Non-residents who plan to hunt with handguns must first contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety, Firearms Records Bureau, 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150. Telephone is 617/660-4780.

Q: I'm not a US citizen (alien) and wish to hunt. What do I need in order to obtain a hunting license?

A: You need to provide 2 documents if you are planning to hunt in Massachusetts with a firearm.

1. A hunting license from any past year or state OR a basic hunter education certificate from any state, Canada or Mexico.
2. You also must produce an alien gun permit from the Mass. Dept. of Public Safety if you plan to be hunting with a firearm. If you don't have an alien gun permit, the license vendor will write "Bowhunting Only" on your hunting license. (There are no sporting licenses for aliens.)

Date Last Updated:  September 29, 2006

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