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 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. 

Table of Contents

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 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 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
(508) 389-7830
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
(508) 389-7830

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
(508) 389-7830

 

Contact

Phone

Program Office (508) 389–7820

Open M-F from 8 a.m.– 4 p.m.

Enrollment Line (508) 389–7830

Open M-F from 8 a.m.– 4 p.m.

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. 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 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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