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. Certificates are mailed to students about 2 weeks after the end of the course.

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

Table of Contents

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.

LocationDates and TimesStatus
Leominster Sportsmen's Association
1455 Elm St
LEOMINSTER
Driving directions

4 sessions required
Mon., June 2: 6 p.m.–9 p.m.
Wed., June 4: 6 p.m.–9 p.m.
Sat., June 7: 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
Mon., June 9: 6 p.m.–9 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 LocationDates and TimesStatus

Fin Fur and Feather Club
101 Larch Rd
MILLIS
Driving directions

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

Minute Man Sportsman's Club
56R Francis Wyman Rd
BURLINGTON
Driving directions
Accessible building

Monday
May 5
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
OPEN
Register here
(you must complete the online MA hunter safety study guide before registering)

Carver Sportsmen's Club
127 Main St (Route 58)
CARVER
Driving directions

Saturday
May 31
8 a.m.–4 p.m.

OPEN
Register here
(you must complete the online MA hunter safety study guide before registering)

Maspenock Rod & Gun Club
1 McGill Ln
MILFORD
Driving directions
Accessible building

Saturday
June 7
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
OPEN
Register here
(you must complete the online MA hunter safety study guide before registering)

Hamilton Rod & Gun Club
24 Hamilton Rd
STURBRIDGE
Driving directions

Sunday
June 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 for a course offered by another state.
    • 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.

Contact

Address

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

Special accommodations

  • Please let us know of any interpretation or other accessibility needs by email to hunter.education@mass.gov 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 hunter.education@mass.gov al menos 72 horas antes de la reunión.
  • Serviços adicionais de tradução ou interpretação podem ser solicitados ao enviar um e-mail para: hunter.education@mass.gov 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 hunter.education@mass.gov 提出要求.
  • Ou ka mande plis sèvis tradiksyon oswa entèpretasyon lè w adrese demann ou pou imèl hunter.education@mass.gov 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 hunter.education@mass.gov ít nhất 72 giờ trước cuộc họp.
  • Предоставление дополнительных услуг письменного или устного перевода можно запросить, отправив просьбу по электронной почте на адрес hunter.education@mass.gov 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 hunter.education@mass.gov u moins 72 heures avant la réunion.

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback