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:

• In-person (traditional): Students attend an entirely in-person, instructor led course that is offered over multiple days.
• Blended: Students complete the online MA hunter safety study guide before attending one in-person Field Day.

Upon successful completion, graduates are mailed a certificate of completion recognized in all U.S. states, Canada, and Mexico. Certificates are mailed to students about 2 weeks after the end of the course.

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

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.

To enroll, call [phone]
M-F, 8 a.m.–4 p.m

Location	Dates and Times	Status
Martha’s Vineyard Rod & Gun Club 265 The Boulevard EDGARTOWN Driving directions Ferry schedule Accessible building	3 session course Monday, November 10: 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Saturday, November 15: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday, November 16: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Attendance at all 3 sessions is required.	OPEN To enroll, call [phone]

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. Use the Course Outline to move from chapter to chapter, quiz to quiz.
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.

Field Day Location	Dates and Times	Status
Nantucket Police Department 4 Fairgrounds Rd NANTUCKET Driving directions Accessible building	Sunday October 19 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	OPEN Register here (you must complete the online MA hunter safety study guide before registering)
Royalston Fish and Game Club 49 Main Rd PHILLIPSTON Driving directions Accessible building	Saturday October 25 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	OPEN Register here (you must complete the online MA hunter safety study guide before registering)
Hamilton Rod and Gun Club 24 Hamilton Rd STURBRIDGE Driving directions	Sunday November 2 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	OPEN Register here (you must complete the online MA hunter safety study guide before registering)
MassWildlife Field Headquarters 1 Rabbit Hill Rd WESTBOROUGH Driving directions Accessible building	Sunday November 23 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	OPEN Register here (you must complete the online MA hunter safety study guide before registering)

Future courses will be posted above when enrollment opens. Enrollment typically opens 6-8 weeks before the start of a course.

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 certificate from any jurisdiction qualifies you to purchase your first-ever Massachusetts hunting or sporting license. Make sure that you read all of the requirements carefully before registering for a course offered by another state.
   • If you choose this option, make sure that you learn and understand all of the Massachusetts hunting regulations before you start hunting.
   • 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.

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 [e-mail] 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 [e-mail] at least 72 hours before the event.
• 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.