Basic Hunter Education courses

Attention: You may already qualify to hunt in Massachusetts. Find out more.

By state law, all first-time hunters (18 years of age or older) must successfully complete a Basic Hunter Education course before they may purchase a Massachusetts hunting or sporting license. Government-issued certificates of completion, from any jurisdiction, are accepted.

Minors, 12 to 17 years of age, have separate rules to follow (learn more). While minors are not mandated to complete Basic Hunter Education to hunt, it is one option for minors (15-17 years of age) to purchase hunting license and it is a prerequisite for all minors (12-17 years of age) to participate in some youth programs such as the youth turkey hunt program and the young adult pheasant hunt program.

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

Basic Hunter Education course listing

To enroll, call (508) 389-7820
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Facility & Address	Dates & Times	Status
Mahar Regional School 507 S Main Street ORANGE Handicapped accessible Driving directions	2-day independent study course Tue, July 26: 6 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Sat, August 13: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (Field Day) In-person attendance at both dates & completion of a homework assignment is required.	COURSE STARTED Enrollment is closed
New England Base Camp 411 Unquity Rd MILTON Handicapped accessible Driving directions	2-day hybrid course Thu, August 4: 6 p.m.–9 p.m. (Virtual via Zoom) Sat, August 27: 8 a.m.–2 p.m. (Field Day) Joining both dates & completion of the online MA study guide is required.	COURSE STARTED Enrollment is closed
New England Base Camp 411 Unquity Rd MILTON Handicapped accessible Driving directions	2-day hybrid course Thu, August 4: 6 p.m.–9 p.m. (Virtual via Zoom) Sun, August 28: 8 a.m.–2 p.m. (Field Day) Joining both dates & completion of the online MA study guide is required.	COURSE STARTED Enrollment is closed
Monument Beach Sportsman's Club 199 MacArthur Blvd BOURNE Driving directions	2-day independent study course Tue, August 9: 6 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Sun, August 21: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (Field Day) In-person attendance at both dates & completion of a homework assignment is required.	COURSE IS FULL Enrollment is closed
Ashfield Rod & Gun Club 161 North Street PLAINFIELD Driving directions	2-day independent study course Wed, August 24: 6 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Sat, Sept 10: 8 a.m.–3 p.m. In-person attendance at both dates & completion of a homework assignment is required.	COURSE IS FULL Enrollment is closed
Carver Sportsmen's Club 127 Main Street (Route 58) CARVER Driving directions	2-day independent study course Wed, August 31: 6 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Sat, Sept 10: 8 a.m.–2:30 p.m. In-person attendance at both dates & completion of a homework assignment is required.	COURSE IS FULL Enrollment is closed
Wankinquoah Rod & Gun 92 Pine Street MIDDLEBOROUGH Driving directions	4-day traditional course Wed, Sept 7: 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Sat, Sept 10: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Mon, Sept 12: 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Wed, Sept 14: 6 p.m.–9 p.m. In-person attendance at all dates required.	COURSE IS FULL Enrollment is closed
Billerica Rod & Gun Club 216 Pond Street BILLERICA Driving directions	4-day traditional course Wed, Sept 7: 6 p.m.–10 p.m. Mon, Sept 12: 6 p.m.–10 p.m. Wed, Sept 14: 6 p.m.–10 p.m. Mon, Sept 19: 6 p.m.–10 p.m. In-person attendance at all dates required.	COURSE IS FULL Enrollment is closed
Harvard Sportsmen's Club 250 Littleton County Rd HARVARD Driving directions	2-day independent study course Thu, Sept 8: 6 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Sat, Sept 17: 8 a.m.–2 p.m. (Field Day) In-person attendance at both dates & completion of a homework assignment is required.	COURSE IS FULL Enrollment is closed
Concord Rod & Gun Club 74 Strawberry Hill Road CONCORD Handicapped accessible Driving directions	4-day traditional course Mon, Sept 12: 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Wed, Sept 14: 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Sat, Sept 17: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Wed, Sept 21: 6 p.m.–9 p.m. In-person attendance at all dates required.	COURSE IS FULL Enrollment is closed
Nenameseck Sportsmen's Club 150 Bacon Road PALMER Handicapped accessible Driving directions	2-day traditional course Sat, Sept 17: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat, Sept 24: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. In-person attendance at both dates required.	COURSE IS FULL Enrollment is closed

In response to demand, MassWildlife will be adding more hunter education courses throughout the summer and early fall. Please sign up for notifications and check this listing frequently as more classes will be added over the next several weeks.

If you have questions about hunter education options or qualifying for a Massachusetts hunting license, please call the MassWildlife Hunter Education Program at (508) 389-7820 and press zero to reach an attendant.

Tips for finding a course

Bookmark this page and check back on a regular basis. This list is routinely updated as courses open for enrollment across the state.
Sign up to be notified when Basic Hunter Education courses offered near your town/city open for enrollment.
Consider taking Basic Hunter Education through another state. Successful completion of a Basic Hunter Education course in any jurisdiction (i.e. any state / any province) qualifies you for a Massachusetts hunting license.

Note about firearms licensing: Completion of an out-of-state Basic Hunter Education course will not qualify you to apply for a Massachusetts firearms license. Contact your local police department to learn what conditions must be met before a firearms license is issued.

Firearms licensing

Individuals who only wish to apply for a firearms license, who have no interest in hunting, should take a certified firearms safety course instead of Basic Hunter Education. Certified firearms safety courses are the ideal course for non-hunters and individuals who want only to obtain a Massachusetts firearms license [i.e. Firearms Identification Card (FID) or License to Carry (LTC)]. Find a certified firearms safety course.