Basic Hunter Education courses

Basic Hunter Education is mandatory for all first-time adult hunters.

Attention: You may already qualify to hunt in Massachusetts. Learn more.

Youth hunters (12 to 17 years of age) follow regulations specific to their age. Learn more.

MassWildlife offers Basic Hunter Education in two formats. Each format covers the same material and students take the same final exam. Choose the one that is right for you:

  • Blended: Students complete the online MA hunter study guide before attending one in-person Field Day.
  • In-person (traditional): Students attend an entirely in-person, instructor led course that is offered over multiple days.

Upon successful completion, graduates are mailed a certificate of completion recognized in all U.S. states, Canada, and Mexico. 

All courses are free of charge and open to the public. 

Table of Contents

Blended Format

If you select the blended format, you must:

  1. Complete the online Massachusetts Hunter Safety Study Guide at huntercourse.com. You must complete all 16 chapters and all 16 quizzes prior to registration.
  2. Submit this online form to registerprovide proof of completing the study guide, and select a field day (dates listed below).
  3. Attend the field day to finish the course and take the final exam.

Learn more about the Blended Format.

Field Day Location Dates and Times Status

Concord Rod and Gun Club
74 Strawberry Hill Road
CONCORD
Driving directions
Accessible building

Saturday
March 30
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
WAITLIST
Register here
(must complete the online study guide before registering)

Rutland Sportsmen's Club
75 Pleasantdale Road
RUTLAND
Driving directions

Saturday
March 30
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
WAITLIST
Register here
(must complete the online study guide before registering)

Tewksbury Rod and Gun Club
79 Chandler Street
TEWKSBURY
Driving directions
Accessible building

2 evenings required
Mon., April 1
6 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
and
Wed., April 3
6 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

Students must attend both evening sessions.

OPEN
Register here
(must complete the online study guide before registering)

Ashfield Rod and Gun
161 North Street
PLAINFIELD*
Driving directions

*Plainfield is in
Hampshire county

Saturday
April 6
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
OPEN
Register here
(must complete the online study guide before registering)

Westfield State University
Horace Mann Center

333 Western Avenue
WESTFIELD
Driving directions
Campus map
Accessible building

Sunday
April 7
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
OPEN
Register here
(must complete the online study guide before registering)

Singletary Rod & Gun Club
300 Sutton Avenue
OXFORD
Driving directions

Sunday
April 14
8:15 a.m.–4 p.m.
OPEN
Register here
(must complete the online study guide before registering)

Hamilton Rod & Gun Club
24 Hamilton Rd
STURBRIDGE
Driving directions

Saturday
April 20
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
OPEN
Register here
(must complete the online study guide before registering)

Harvard Sportsmen's Club
250 Littleton County Road
HARVARD
Driving directions

Sunday
April 21
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
OPEN
Register here
(must complete the online study guide before registering)

Andover Sportsman's Club
655 Middleton Road
NORTH ANDOVER
Driving directions

Sunday
April 27
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
OPEN
Register here
(must complete the online study guide before registering)

MassWildlife Field Headquarters
1 Rabbit Hill Road
WESTBOROUGH
Driving directions
Accessible building

Friday
May 10
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
OPEN
Register here
(must complete the online study guide before registering)

Fin Fur and Feather Club
101 Larch Road
MILLIS
Driving directions

Sunday
May 19
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
OPEN
Register here
(must complete the online study guide before registering)

Additional Field Days will be posted above when enrollment opens.

Please continue scrolling to view opportunities in the in-person (traditional) format.

In-Person (Traditional) Format

If you select the in-person (traditional) format, you must attend all classroom sessions as scheduled. This course is entirely in-person and is led by a certified teaching team.

These are traditional face-to-face classes that are interactive and practical with minimal homework requirements.

To enroll in a course listed below, call 508-389-7830
M-F, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Location Dates and Times Status

Worthington Rod & Gun
458 Dingle Rd (Route 112)
WORTHINGTON
Driving Directions
Accessible building

4 nights required
Mon, April 15: 5:30pm–9pm
Tue, April 16: 5:30pm–9pm
Thu, April 18: 5:30pm–9pm
Fri, April 19: 5:30pm–9pm

OPEN
To enroll, call
508-389-7830

Martha's Vineyard Rod & Gun Club
265 The Boulevard
EDGARTOWN
Driving directions
Accessible building

3 sessions required
Mon, April 22: 5pm8pm
Sat, April 27: 8am4pm
Sun, April 28: 8am4pm
OPEN
To enroll, call
508-389-7830

Future opportunities will be posted above when enrollment opens. Please check back soon and sign up for course notifications

Contact   for Basic Hunter Education courses

Address

MassWildlife Field Headquarters
1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581

Tips for finding a course

  1. Bookmark this page and check back on a regular basis. This list is routinely updated as courses open for enrollment across the state.
  2. Sign up to be notified when courses are available in your area.
  3. The Basic Hunter Education course is standardized across North America and a government-issued hunter education certificate from any jurisdiction (any state) qualifies an adult to purchase their first-ever Massachusetts hunting or sporting license. Should you decide to complete hunter education through another state, read all of the requirements carefully before registering.
    • Important: An out-of-state Basic Hunter Education certificate will not be accepted to apply for a firearms license. Contact your local police department for more information about firearms licensing.

About Basic Hunter Education

Basic Hunter Education was developed by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and includes the safe handling and storage of hunting arms and ammunition, hunting laws and ethics, care and handling of game, and wildlife conservation. 

Students should bring lunch, water, and dress for comfort and outdoor activities. Students should not bring any hunting equipment with them. Unaccompanied minors (students under the age of 18) must have written parent/guardian consent to attend a course (download a minor permission form). All course materials, including the final exam, are written at a 6th grade reading level.

Special accommodations

If you have a disability or a medical condition and you would like to request special accommodations, or if you speak a language other than English and you would like to request an interpreter, please email Hunter.Education@mass.gov or call the Hunter Education Program at (508) 389-7820 and press zero to speak with an attendant.

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