- Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
Media Contact
Media Contact, MassWildlife
Whether you're new to archery or preparing for the upcoming bowhunting season, MassWildlife has free opportunities to help you sharpen your skills this summer. Join us at one of our Archery 101 events to learn the basics in a relaxed, supportive setting—perfect for beginners, with equipment available to borrow. For bowhunters, our Sighting-in and Shooting Techniques sessions offer a chance to fine-tune your aim with guidance from experienced instructors. Plus, public archery ranges are now open across the state for individual practice—just bring your gear and sign up for a free pass.
Archery 101
Join MassWildlife for a free event to learn all about archery! Experienced MassWildlife staff will introduce you to archery basics and help you practice on the range. You can bring your own equipment or borrow ours. These events are geared towards new archers.
- Tuesday, July 29, 5–7 p.m. in Westborough, Click here to register.
- Thursday, July 31, 5–7 p.m. in Taunton, Click here to register.
- Tuesday, August 5, 5–7 p.m. in Lenox, Click here to register.
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.
- Wednesday, August 13, 5–7 p.m. in Ayer, Click here to register.
- Tuesday, August 26, 5–7 p.m. in Southampton, Click here to register.
- Tuesday, September 2, 5–7 p.m. in Taunton, Click here to register.
Public ranges now open
If you have your own archery equipment but don't have a great place to practice, try out one of MassWildlife’s free ranges this summer. Six archery ranges will be set up at different dates on Wildlife Management Areas:
- Ayer Game Farm, Ayer (June 13 – October 24)
- Erwin Wilder WMA, Norton/Taunton (June 13 – October 24)
- George L. Darey Housatonic Valley WMA, Lenox (June 13 – September 28)
- High Ridge WMA, Westminster (June 13 – September 28)
- Southampton WMA, Southampton (June 13 – September 28)
- Wayne F. MacCallum WMA, Westborough (June 13 – September 28)