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. 

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
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 Location	Dates and Times	Status
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.

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.