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:

• Blended: Students complete the online MA hunter safety 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 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. 

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.
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.

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Field Day Location	Dates and Times	Status
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Northeast Region Headquarters 300 Westgate Center Drive HADLEY Driving directions Accessible building	Saturday September 14 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	WAITLIST Register here (must complete the online study guide before registering)
Rod & Gun Club of New Bedford 1407 N Hixville Rd N DARTMOUTH Driving directions Accessible building	Saturday September 14 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	WAITLIST Register here (must complete the online study guide before registering)
Billerica Rod and Gun Club 216 Pond Street BILLERICA Driving directions	2 evenings required Mon., Sept 16 6 p.m.–9:30 p.m. and Wed., Sept 18 6 p.m.–9:30 p.m. You must attend both evenings.	OPEN Register here (must complete the online study guide before registering)
Danvers Fish and Game Club 20 Birch Road MIDDLETON Driving directions Accessible building	Saturday September 21 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	OPEN Register here (must complete the online study guide before registering)
Spencer Fish and Game Club 155 Mechanic Street SPENCER Driving directions Accessible building	Sunday September 22 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Lunch (hamburgers and hot dogs) will be available for a nominal fee (cash only).	OPEN Register here (must complete the online study guide before registering)
Swift River Sportsman's Club 350 Cold Spring Road BELCHERTOWN Driving directions Accessible building	Sunday September 29 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	OPEN Register here (must complete the online study guide before registering)
Marshfield Rod and Gun Club 300 School Street MARSHFIELD Driving directions Accessible building	Sunday October 6 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	OPEN Register here (must complete the online study guide before registering)
Minute Man Sportsman's Club 56R Francis Wyman Rd BURLINGTON Driving directions Accessible building	Monday October 7 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	OPEN Register here (must complete the online study guide before registering)
Somerset Sportsmen's Club 262 Baker Road SWANSEA Driving directions	Saturday October 19 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	OPEN Register here (must complete the online study guide before registering)
Wrentham Sportsmen's Club  7 Madison Street PLAINVILLE Driving directions	Sunday October 20 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	OPEN Register here (must complete the online study guide before registering)

Learn more about the Blended Format.

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.

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Location	Dates and Times	Status
N/A	None available.  Consider completing the course in the Blended Format.	N/A

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 hunter education certificate from any jurisdiction (any state) qualifies an adult to purchase their first-ever Massachusetts hunting or sporting license. Should you decide to complete hunter education through another state, read all of the requirements carefully before registering.
   • 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.

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.