- Successful completion of Basic Hunter Education is mandatory for all first-time adult hunters. Find a Basic Hunter Education Course.
- Visit mass.gov/LearnToHunt for more resources to help build your hunting knowledge and skills.
Upcoming classes
Sighting-In and Shoot Techniques for Bowhunters – Join MassWildlife and partners for a free event to help you practice and sight in your bow for bowhunting! Instructors will help you practice on the range, and will be able to help you adjust your sights if needed. You must bring your own archery equipment for these events. Space is limited, fill out the registration form for one of the classes listed below.
- Tuesday, August 25 from 5–7 p.m. at Ayer Game Farm in Ayer. Click here to register.
- Thursday, August 27 from 5–7 p.m. at Erwin Wilder WMA in Taunton. Click here to register.
- Friday, August 28 from 5–7 p.m. at Wayne F. MacCallum WMA in Westborough. Click here to register.
September 1: Squirrel Hunting, Zoom – Join MassWildlife staff and folks from the New England Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) for a one hour virtual class about September squirrel hunting from 6-7 p.m. This class will highlight tried and true tactics for September squirrel season, which starts the following week. There will also be time available for questions and answers. Click here to register.
September 12: Deer Scouting, Westborough – Join MassWildlife for a free event to learn how to scout for deer. This event will be held on Saturday, September 12 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. at MassWildlife’s Field Headquarters in Westborough. During this three-hour class, you will learn what to look for when scouting for deer while out in the field. This class will be taught mostly outside and will take place rain or shine. Registration is required and space is limited. Click here to register.
September 13: Deer Hunting 101, Westborough – Join MassWildlife for a free event to learn deer hunting basics! This event will be held on Sunday, September 13 from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at MassWildlife's Field Headquarters in Westborough. During this in-person class, students will learn about deer biology, hunting regulations, scouting, tips for during the hunt, and what to do after the hunt. Click here to register.
September 19: Deer Scouting, Rochester – Join MassWildlife for a free event to learn how to scout for deer. This event will be held on Saturday, September 19 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. at Haskell Swamp Wildlife Management Area in Rochester. During this three-hour class, you will learn what to look for when scouting for deer while out in the field. This class will be taught mostly outside and will take place rain or shine. Registration is required and space is limited. Click here to register.
September 23: Deer Scouting, Virtual – MassWildlife staff will share tips for finding areas to hunt, demonstrate how to use online maps to identify good deer habitat, and describe what sign to look for while scouting in the field. This class will be taught through Zoom from 6-8 p.m. Registration is required. Click here to register.
September 27: Deer Scouting, Newbury – Join MassWildlife for a free event to learn how to scout for deer. This event will be held on Sunday, September 27 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. at Martin Burns Wildlife Management Area in Newbury. During this three-hour class, you will learn what to look for when scouting for deer while out in the field. This class will be taught mostly outside and will take place rain or shine. Registration is required and space is limited. Click here to register.
October 1: Fall Turkey Hunting, Virtual – Join members of the NWTF and staff from MassWildlife for a one hour zoom panel discussion focused on 'Fall Turkey Hunting.' Topics will include laws and regulations, fall turkey hunting tactics and strategies, and fall turkey calling. The class is from 6–7 p.m. Click here to register.
October 7: Waterfowl Hunting 101, Virtual – Join MassWildlife staff and partners to learn all about waterfowl hunting. Topics include basic waterfowl biology and identification, laws and regulations, gear and equipment, and hunting strategies/techniques for beginner waterfowl hunters. This class will be taught through Zoom from 6–8 p.m. Registration is required. Click here to register.
October 4: Deer Field Dressing, Westborough – Join MassWildlife for a free event to learn how to field dress a deer. This event will be held on Sunday, October 4 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. at MassWildlife's Field Headquarters in Westborough. During this three-hour class, you will learn the basics of field dressing a deer. After field dressing you will have a chance to observe the beginning steps of processing a deer if time permits. Click here to register.
November 29: Deer Field Dressing, Westborough – Join MassWildlife for a free event to learn how to field dress a deer. This event will be held on Sunday, November 29 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. at MassWildlife's Field Headquarters in Westborough. During this three-hour class, you will learn the basics of field dressing a deer. After field dressing you will have a chance to observe the beginning steps of processing a deer if time permits. Click here to register.
December 6: Deer Processing Class, Westborough – Join MassWildlife for a free event to learn how to process a deer. This event will be held on Sunday, December 6 from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at MassWildlife's Field Headquarters in Westborough. During this four-hour class, you will learn how to process a deer, including learning basic butchery skills, quartering the deer, grinding meat, and vacuum sealing. Click here to register.
Questions about an event?
Email Mass.Wildlife@mass.gov
Event accommodations
We will do our best to accommodate any needs to allow community members to participate as fully as possible in our events and programs.
- Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. To submit a request for an accommodation, please email eeadiversity@mass.gov or call 617-626-1282; an ADA Coordinator will receive your request. Please include a description of the request in as much detail as possible and a way we can contact you if we need more information. Please allow at least 2 weeks’ (14 days) advance notice. Last-minute requests will be accepted but we may be unable to fulfill the request.
- Please let us know of any language interpretation requests by email to ian.sypek@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 ian.sypek@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: ian.sypek@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 ian.sypek@mass.gov 提出要求.
- Ou ka mande plis sèvis tradiksyon oswa entèpretasyon lè w adrese demann ou pou imèl ian.sypek@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 ian.sypek@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 ian.sypek@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 ian.sypek@mass.gov au moins 72 heures avant la réunion.