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Learn to Hunt

Learn how to be a safe and skilled hunter with MassWildlife's hunting classes and programs.

MassWildlife offers hunting classes and online resources that teach safety and skills to beginning and intermediate hunters. A Basic Hunter Education course is required for all new adult hunters. On this page, you can find a class that suits your interest or browse hunting and scouting tips and how-to videos to learn at your own pace!

Get started with Basic Hunter Education

Learn to be a safe and ethical hunter. Successful completion of this course is mandatory for all first-time adult hunters.

Find a Basic hunter education course

More opportunities to learn

Learn to Hunt Turkey classes

  • April 1: Learn to Hunt Turkey Range Day, Princeton, 8 – 11 a.m.
  • April 8: Learn to Hunt Turkey Class, Ashburnham, 8 – noon
  • April 8: Learn to Hunt Turkey Class, Plainville, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • April 11: Turkey Calling Seminar, Westborough, 5 – 6 p.m.

Click here to learn more about each class and reserve your seat.

MassWildlife offers hands-on hunting classes several times each year. Classes will be listed here when they are scheduled. Email astrid.huseby@mass.gov to be notified of upcoming learn to hunt classes. 

Basic Hunter Education  Bowhunter Education  Black Powder Education  Becoming an Outdoors-Woman 

Youth Turkey Hunt Program  Youth Pheasant Hunt Program  Youth Deer Hunt Day  Hunting Information for Minors  Tips for Mentors 

Event accommodations: If you have a disability or medical condition and would like to request special accommodations or will require translation services for an upcoming event, please contact Susan Sacco via email at susan.sacco@mass.gov.

Hunting tips and resources

Safety first

Firearms safety  Treestand safety  Importance of blaze orange 

Deer hunting tips  Hunting deer during the rut  Primitive firearms deer season hunting tips 

Turkey hunting safety  Spring turkey hunting tips  Fall turkey hunting tips   Bowhunting turkey hunting tips  Turkey calling video 

Black bear hunting tips  Pheasant hunting tips  Predator hunting tips 

Scouting

Learn what to look for when picking a place to hunt and get tools for pre-scouting and scouting in the field. Start with this video to learn how to use online scouting tools. Also see species-specific scouting tips for even more detail and on-the-ground scouting information.

Scouting tips by species

Scouting for deer (video)  Scouting for turkey  Scouting for bear 

After the hunt

Wild game processing safety  Deer  Black bear  Squirrel  Pheasant 

Related Services

Image credits:  MassWildlife

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