Bowhunter Education Courses

Designed for novice and experienced hunters. Bowhunter Education covers bowhunting safety, hunting ethics, and bowhunting laws. 

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.

Earning a Bowhunter Education certificate... 

  • does not qualify an adult for a Massachusetts hunting license. If you are a first-time hunter, you must complete a Basic Hunter Education course (through any state) to qualify for a Massachusetts hunting license.
  • is voluntary in Massachusetts. If you qualify for a hunting license, you are not required to complete Bowhunter Education.
  • is recognized by other jurisdictions (i.e., other states) that require the successful completion of a Bowhunter Education course.

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

Bowhunter Education course listing

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

Location Date & Time Status

Singletary Rod and Gun Club
300 Sutton Avenue
OXFORD
Driving directions

Saturday
April 13
8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Lunch (burgers and hot dogs)
will be available for a nominal fee.

OPEN
To enroll, call
508-389-7830

Nenameseck Sportsmen's Club
150 Bacon Road
PALMER
Driving directions
Accessible building

Saturday
April 13
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
OPEN
To enroll, call
508-389-7830

Woburn Sportsmen's Association
155 Middlesex Turnpike
BEDFORD
Driving directions
Accessible building

Sunday
April 14
7 a.m.–5 p.m.

The club will be providing lunch
(burgers, hot dogs, soda, water).

OPEN
To enroll, call
508-389-7830

Future opportunities will be listed above when enrollment opens.

About Bowhunter Education

The Bowhunter Education course was developed by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF). Topics covered include bowhunting safety, ethics, and bowhunting laws. Bowhunter Education courses are offered 12-15 times each year at various locations across the state.

Students should bring lunch, water, and dress for outdoor activities. Students do not need to bring any archery 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.

Upon successful completion, students are mailed a Bowhunter Education Certificate of Completion.

Archery lessons

Bowhunter Education is not an archery course. If you are seeking archery lessons or looking for archery ranges, visit Archery360.com 

Additional Resources

Contact   for Bowhunter Education Courses

Address

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

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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