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 (12-17 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:

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

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. 

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, call 508-389-7830
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Location	Dates and Times	Status
Nenameseck Sportsmen's Club 75 West Ware Rd PALMER Driving directions Accessible building	2 sessions required Sun., Feb. 9: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Sun., Feb. 16: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. You must attend both sessions.	OPEN To enroll, call 508-389-7830
MassWildlife Field Headquarters 1 Rabbit Hill Rd WESTBOROUGH Driving directions Accessible building	2 sessions required Tue., Feb. 18: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Thu., Feb. 20: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. You must attend both sessions.	OPEN To enroll, call 508-389-7830
New England Base Camp 411 Unquity Rd MILTON Driving directions Accessible building	3 session required Mon., Mar. 10: 6 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Wed., Mar. 12: 6 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Sat., Mar. 15: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. You must attend all sessions.	OPEN To enroll, call 508-389-7830
American Legion Post 338 46 Powder Mill Rd SOUTHWICK Driving directions	2 sessions required Sat., Mar. 15: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Sun., Mar. 16: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. You must attend both sessions. Lunch will be available for a nominal fee.	OPEN To enroll, call 508-389-7830
Lee Sportsmen's Association 565 Fairview St LEE Driving directions	3 sessions required Tue, Mar 18: 6 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Thu, Mar 20: 6 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Sat, Mar 22: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. You must attend all sessions.	OPEN To enroll, call 508-389-7830

Continue scrolling for opportunities in the Blended format.

Blended Format

If you select the blended format, you must:

1. First, complete the online Massachusetts Hunter Safety Study Guide at huntercourse.com. You must complete all 16 chapters and all 16 quizzes prior to registration. Use the Course Outline to move from chapter to chapter, quiz to quiz.
2. Next, submit this online form to register, provide proof of completing the study guide, and select a field day (dates listed below).
3. Finally, 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
Monument Beach Sportsman's Club 199 MacArthur Blvd BOURNE Driving directions	Saturday January 25 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Pizza will be provided for lunch	COURSE IS FULL Enrollment is closed.
MassWildlife Field Headquarters 1 Rabbit Hill Rd WESTBOROUGH Driving directions Accessible building	Saturday January 25 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	COURSE IS FULL Enrollment is closed.
MassWildlife Field Headquarters 1 Rabbit Hill Rd WESTBOROUGH Driving directions Accessible building	Sunday February 2 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	WAITLIST Register here (you must complete the online MA hunter safety study guide before registering)
Marshfield Rod and Gun Club 300 School St Marshfield Driving directions Accessible building	Saturday March 1 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	WAITLIST Register here (you must complete the online MA hunter safety study guide before registering)
Royalston Fish and Game Club 49 Main Rd PHILLIPSTON Driving directions Accessible building	Saturday March 8 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	OPEN Register here (you must complete the online MA hunter safety study guide before registering)
Rutland Sportsmen's Club 75 Pleasantdale Rd RUTLAND Driving directions	Saturday March 8 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	OPEN Register here (you must complete the online MA hunter safety study guide before registering)

Future courses will be posted above when enrollment opens. We typically open enrollment 6-8 weeks prior to the start date.

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 certificate from any jurisdiction qualifies you to purchase your first-ever Massachusetts hunting or sporting license. Make sure that you read all of the requirements carefully before registering.
   • If you choose this option, make sure that you learn and understand all of the Massachusetts hunting regulations before you start hunting.
   • 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.

Special accommodations

• Please let us know of any interpretation or other accessibility needs by email to [e-mail] at least 72 hours before the event. We will do our best to accommodate any needs to allow community members to participate as fully as possible.
• Se pueden solicitar servicios adicionales de traducción o interpretación enviando su solicitud por correo electrónico a [e-mail] al menos 72 horas antes de la reunión.
• Serviços adicionais de tradução ou interpretação podem ser solicitados ao enviar um e-mail para: [e-mail] com pelo menos 72 horas de antecedência da reunião.
• 如需额外的笔译或口译服务，请至少在会议开始前 72 小时发电子邮件至 [e-mail] 提出要求.
• Ou ka mande plis sèvis tradiksyon oswa entèpretasyon lè w adrese demann ou pou imèl [e-mail] omwen 72 èdtan anvan reyinyon an.
• Các dịch vụ biên dịch hoặc phiên dịch bổ sung có thể được yêu cầu bằng cách gửi yêu cầu của quý vị qua email đến [e-mail] ít nhất 72 giờ trước cuộc họp.
• Предоставление дополнительных услуг письменного или устного перевода можно запросить, отправив просьбу по электронной почте на адрес [e-mail] как минимум за 72 часа до начала встречи
• Des services de traduction ou d'interprétation supplémentaires peuvent être demandés en envoyant votre demande par e-mail à [e-mail] u moins 72 heures avant la réunion.