Basic Hunter Education courses

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 receive a Certificate of Completion recognized in all U.S. states, Canada, and Mexico.

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

Blended Format

If you select the blended format, you must:

1. Complete the online Massachusetts Hunter Study Guide at huntercourse.com
2. Use this online form to register, provide 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	Date and Time	Status
Brookfield Rod & Gun Club 56 Webber Road BROOKFIELD Handicapped accessible Driving directions	Saturday April 8 8 a.m.–3 p.m.	OPEN Register here (must complete online study guide before registering)
Westfield State University Horace Mann Center 333 Western Avenue WESTFIELD Handicapped accessible Driving directions Campus map	Saturday April 8 8 a.m.–3 p.m.	OPEN Register here (must complete online study guide before registering)
Ashfield Rod & Gun Club 161 North Street PLAINFIELD/ASHFIELD This club is in Western Mass. Driving directions	Saturday April 15 8 a.m.–3 p.m.	OPEN Register here (must complete online study guide before registering)
Marshfield Rod & Gun Club 300 School Street MARSHFIELD Handicapped accessible Driving directions	Saturday April 15 8 a.m.–3 p.m.	OPEN Register here (must complete online study guide before registering)
Concord Rod & Gun Club 74 Strawberry Hill Road CONCORD Handicapped accessible Driving directions	Saturday April 22 8 a.m.–3 p.m.	OPEN Register here (must complete online study guide before registering)
Leicester Rod & Gun Club 1015 Whittemore Street LEICESTER Handicapped accessible Driving directions	Sunday April 23 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Lunch will be available for a nominal fee.	OPEN Register here (must complete online study guide before registering)
Harvard Sportsmen's Club 250 Littleton County Road HARVARD Driving directions	Sunday April 23 8 a.m.–3 p.m.	OPEN Register here (must complete online study guide before registering)
Andover Sportsman's Club 655 Middleton Road NORTH ANDOVER Driving directions	Saturday April 29 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	OPEN Register here (must complete online study guide before registering)
Shawme Fish & Game Club 400 Route 130 SANDWICH Handicapped accessible Driving directions	Saturday April 29 8 a.m.–3 p.m.	OPEN Register here (must complete online study guide before registering)
Singletary Rod & Gun Club 300 Sutton Ave OXFORD Driving directions	Saturday May 13 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Lunch will be available for a nominal fee.	OPEN Register here (must complete online study guide before registering)
Hamilton Rod & Gun Club 24 Hamilton Road STURBRIDGE Driving directions	Saturday May 13 8 a.m.–3 p.m.	OPEN Register here (must complete online study guide before registering)

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.

Location	Dates and Times	Status
Cheshire Rod & Gun Club 310 Curran Road CHESHIRE Handicapped accessible Driving directions	5 required sessions ***Due to inclement weather, this class was postponed started on Friday, March 17*** Mon, Mar 13: CANCELED Fri, Mar 17: 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Mon, Mar 20: 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Wed, Mar 22: 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Mon, Mar 27: 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Fri, Mar 31: 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Attendance at all dates required.	ENROLLMENT CLOSED Course started
Nenameseck Sportsmen's Club 150 Bacon Road PALMER Handicapped accessible Driving directions	2 required sessions Sat, Mar 25: 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Sat, April 1: 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Attendance at both dates required.	ENROLLMENT CLOSED Course started
Worthington Rod & Gun Club 458 Dingle Road (Route 112) WORTHINGTON Handicapped accessible Driving directions	4 required sessions Mon, April 17: 5:30 p.m.–9 p.m. Tue, April 18: 5:30 p.m.–9 p.m. Thu, April 20: 5:30 p.m.–9 p.m. Fri, April 21: 5:30 p.m.–9 p.m. Attendance at all dates required.	OPEN To enroll, call [phone]
Martha's Vineyard Rod & Gun Club 265 The Boulevard EDGARTOWN Driving directions	3 required sessions Mon, April 24: 6 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Sat, April 29: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun, April 30: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Attendance at all dates required.	OPEN To enroll, call [phone]
New! American Legion Post 236 5 Bridge Street HAYDENVILLE (WILLIAMSBURG) Handicapped accessible Driving directions	2 required sessions Sat, May 6: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat, May 13: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Attendance at both dates required.	OPEN To enroll, call [phone]

 

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. Consider taking Basic Hunter Education through another state. The Basic Hunter Education course is standardized across North America and a government-issued hunter education certificate from any jurisdiction qualifies you to purchase a Massachusetts hunting or sporting license.
   • 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. Learn more.

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. Learn more.

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 [e-mail] or call the Hunter Education Program at [phone] and press zero to speak with an attendant.