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Course Descriptions
Basic Hunter Education
The
Basic Hunter Education Course is mandatory for first-time hunters
or hunting license buyers in Massachusetts. By law, this course must
be at least 12 hours in length but is typically 15-16 hours and is usually
scheduled over five or six weekday evenings. Some courses are conducted
on weekends while others are a combinations of weeknights and a weekend
day.
We have also recently introduced an independent study format which is an alternative to the traditional classroom course. It allows the student to complete some of the material independently, without attending multiple class sessions. This format is being offered in a few locations across the state and is a good option for those students who have scheduling conflicts and find that they cannot attend the evening and weekends required to complete a traditional course. To find out if this format is suitable for your needs, click on the link above. Courses using this format will be listed in the Basic Course listing.
Course Instruction Includes: safe handling and storage of hunting arms and ammunition, hunting laws and ethics, wildlife identification, wildlife management, care and handling of game, basic survival skills and first aid.
Upon successful completion of this course, all students will receive a graduate patch and a MA Certificate of Completion. All states in the US, Canada and Mexico recognize this government-issued certificate of completion for the purchase of a hunting or sporting (combination hunting/fishing)license in any state or province.
Successful completion of the Basic Hunter Education Course fulfills the requirements established by Mass. General Law to make application to your local police for a License to Carry Firearms, or Firearms Identification Card. [Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140 Section 131 P(a)]
How to Enroll: Pre-registration for the Basic Hunter Education Course is required. Course announcements are sent to local papers, police departments, town halls, schools, sportsmens clubs and sporting goods shops and posted on the MassWildlife website.
NOTE: A state Firearms Identification Card (FID), License to Carry Firearms (LTC), or hunting license is not required to take this course.
What to Bring to Class: Bring a pen and paper to take notes. Dress for the weather and outdoor activity! If a course runs for a day, bring lunch unless otherwise advised by instructors during class.
What to Leave at Home: Please do NOT bring any firearms or ammunition to classes. Only Program firearms and equipment may be used.
Hunting/Sporting License Purchase Law -- Effective January 1, 2007 legislation requires first time hunting or sporting license buyers to produce a certificate showing they have passed a Basic Hunter Education course or show a hunting or sporting license from any year and/or any state or province. This legislation reinstates the hunter education requirement that had been in place prior to major gun law changes in 1998. An FID or LTC card is no longer acceptable for purchasing a hunting or sporting license.
Advanced Courses
Bowhunter
Education
Massachusetts offers the Bowhunter Education curriculum developed by the National Bowhunter Education Foundation. This course is accepted in other states and provinces which mandate the successful completion of a bowhunter education course. Courses are a minimum of 8 hours of instruction and are designed for both the experienced and novice hunter. Most are one-day weekend day courses.
Course topics include the selection of equipment, safety, ethics, bowhunting methods, and care and handling of game.
What to Bring: Students may bring their archery equipment to class to obtain advice on its use and care. Bring a pen and paper to take notes. Dress for the weather and outdoors!
How to Enroll: Pre-registration for the Bow Hunter Education Course is required. Course announcements are sent to local papers, police departments, town halls, schools, sportsmens clubs and sporting goods shops and posted on the MassWildlife website.
NOTE: A hunting license or archery stamp is not required to take this course.
Map,
Compass & Survival
This is an intensive one-day (10 hrs.) weekend day course divided between classroom and field exercises. Approximately 50% of the time will be spent in classroom instruction and 50% on a 50 meter line course and field course. Topics include instruction on wilderness survival, as well as the use of a compass and topographical map for land navigation. Due to the technical nature of the course, this course is not recommended for anyone under the age of 12.
The course is conducted rain or shine. Dress appropriately for the weather and the outdoors and please wear bright outer clothing. We suggest long pants (no shorts), good walking shoes/boots, sunglasses and rain gear (if required).
How to Enroll: Enrollment for the Map, Compass & Survival Course is required. Course announcements are sent to local papers, police departments, town halls, schools, sportsmen's clubs and sporting goods shops and posted on the MassWildlife website.
What to Bring: It is recommended that each student bring the following items to the course: paper, pen or pencil, reading glasses - maps symbols are small, canteen/plastic water bottle, lunch & beverages, snacks (candy bars), whistle, one-gallon zip lock bag, insect/tick repellent and Epipen. If you have a compass, consider bringing it to class. If not, compasses will be available for your use.
Black
Powder Education
Courses include a minimum of 10 hours classroom instruction plus field work.
Topics cover the selection of hunting equipment, state laws, the safe handling of muzzleloaders and powder storage.
How to Enroll: Pre-registration for the Blackpowder Course is required. Course listings are posted on the agency website. Note:A Certificate of Completion from the Basic Hunter Education course is a pre-requisite for all students under 18 years of age.
What to Bring: Bring a pen and paper to take notes. If you have a compass, consider bringing it to class. Dress for the weather and outdoors!
What to Leave at Home: Please do NOT bring any firearms or ammunition components to class. Only Program firearms and equipment may be used.
Trapper
Education
The Trapper Education Course is mandatory for all first time trappers and Problem Animal Control Agents. This course includes both classroom work and field training. Students receive instruction on the Best Management Practices for trapping furbearers. The course covers basic techniques with a strong focus on the responsible treatment of animals, legal methods, safety, selectivity, and ethical trapper behavior.
How to Enroll: Pre-registration for the Trapper Education Course is required. The course is offered a few times/year. It is best to contact the Hunter Education Program at (978) 772-0693 to leave your name and postal address for notification of course offerings or fill out the Looking for a Course form posted on the website. You will receive postal notification to sign up when a course is available.
What to Bring: Bring a pen and paper to take notes. Dress for the weather and outdoors!
Waterfowl
Identification
This course is an 8-hour program. Its objective is to teach the identification of migratory waterfowl, but also covers the shooting characteristics of steel shot, hunting safely from boats, and the proper use of waders.
How to Enroll: Pre-registration for the Waterfowl Identification Course is required. The course is offered only a few times/year. It is best to contact the Hunter Education Program at (978) 772-0693 to leave your name and postal address for notification of course offerings or fill out the Looking for a Course form posted on the website. You will receive postal notification to sign up when a course is available.
What to Bring: Bring a pen and paper to take notes. Dress for the weather and outdoors!