Bowhunter Education Courses

Designed for novice and experienced hunters. Bowhunter Education covers bowhunting safety, hunting ethics, and bowhunting laws. 

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.

Earning a Bowhunter Education certificate... 

• does not qualify an adult for a Massachusetts hunting license. If you are a first-time hunter, you must complete a Basic Hunter Education course (through any state) to qualify for a Massachusetts hunting license.
• is voluntary in Massachusetts. If you qualify for a hunting license, you are not required to complete Bowhunter Education.
• is recognized by other jurisdictions (i.e., other states/other jurisdictions) that require the successful completion of a Bowhunter Education course.

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

Bowhunter Education course listing

To enroll, call 508-389-7830
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Location	Date & Time	Status
Nenameseck Sportsmen's Club 150 Bacon Rd* PALMER *GPS location: 75 West Ware Road Driving directions Accessible building	Saturday March 22, 2025 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	OPEN To enroll, call 508-389-7830
Nenameseck Sportsmen's Club 150 Bacon Rd* PALMER *GPS location: 75 West Ware Road Driving directions Accessible building	Saturday April 19, 2025 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	OPEN To enroll, call 508-389-7830
Singletary Rod & Gun Club 300 Sutton Ave OXFORD Driving directions	Saturday May 3, 2025 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.	OPEN To enroll, call 508-389-7830

*Nenameseck Sportsmen's Club: Bacon Road is no longer maintained from the Route 32 side. You must access Bacon Road via West Ware Road. 

Future Bowhunter Education courses will be listed above as they open for enrollment. Please check back soon and sign up for course notifications.

About Bowhunter Education

The Bowhunter Education course was developed by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF). Topics covered include bowhunting safety, ethics, and bowhunting laws. 

Upon successful completion, students are mailed a Bowhunter Education Certificate of Completion 1-2 weeks after the end of their course.

Archery lessons

Bowhunter Education is not an archery course. If you are seeking archery lessons or looking for archery ranges, visit Archery360.com 

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.