By state law, if you are 18 years of age or older and you want to purchase your first ever hunting license, you must complete a Basic Hunter Education course.
Minor hunters (12-17 years of age) follow a specific set of regulations. While minors are not required to complete a Basic Hunter Education, it is a prerequisite for certain youth programs and it allows minors 15-17 years of age to hunt without direct supervision. Learn more.
Upon successful completion of a Massachusetts Basic Hunter Education course, students will be mailed a Basic Hunter Education certificate of completion recognized in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
All courses are FREE of charge and open to the public.
Course listing
To enroll in a course below call (508) 389-7830
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Attention! Mobile and tablet users
Turn your mobile device horizontally to view all 3 columns of information listed below (i.e. Location, Dates, and Status).
|
Location |
Dates and times |
Status |
|---|---|---|
|
Rod and Gun Club of |
Independent Study- |
CLOSED |
|
Franklin County |
4 session course- |
CLOSED |
|
Falmouth Rod & Gun Club |
Independent Study- |
CLOSED |
|
Tewksbury Rod & Gun |
4 evening course- |
CLOSED |
|
Lee Sportsmen's Assoc. |
Independent Study- |
CLOSED |
|
MassWildlife FHQ |
Independent Study- |
CLOSED |
|
Westfield State University |
Independent Study- |
CLOSED |
|
Danvers Fish & Game |
Independent Study- |
FULL |
|
Ashfield Rod and Gun |
Independent Study- |
WAITLIST |
|
East Mountain |
6 evening course- |
OPEN |
|
Bay Path Archers |
4 session course- |
OPEN |
|
Martha's Vineyard |
3 session course- Mon, April 8: 6pm–9pm Sat, April 13: 8am–5pm Sun, April 14: 8am–5pm |
OPEN To enroll call (508) 389-7830 |
| MassWildlife FHQ 1 Rabbit Hill Road WESTBOROUGH Handicapped accessible |
Independent Study- Mon, April 8: 6pm–9pm Thu, April 18: 8am–2pm |
FULL |
|
Swift River Sportsman |
2 day course- |
FULL |
|
Worthington Rod & Gun |
4 evening course- |
OPEN |
|
Concord Rod & Gun Club |
4 session course- |
WAITLIST |
|
Methuen Rod & Gun Club |
6 evening course- Wed & Thu evenings April 17: 7pm–9:30pm April 18: 7pm–9:30pm April 24: 7pm–9:30pm April 25: 7pm–9:30pm May 1: 7pm–9:30pm May 2: 7pm–9:30pm |
OPEN |
| Bass Pro Shops 1 Bass Pro Drive FOXBOROUGH Handicapped accessible |
Independent Study- |
FULL |
|
Andover Sportsman's Club |
3 session course- |
WAITLIST |
| Bass Pro Shops 1 Bass Pro Drive FOXBOROUGH Handicapped accessible |
Independent Study- Tue, April 30: 6pm–9pm Friday, May 10: 8am–2pm |
FULL |
| New England Base Camp 411 Unquity Road MILTON Handicapped accessible |
Independent Study- Thu, May 2: 6pm–9pm Sun, May 12: 8am–2pm* *Mother's Day |
FULL |
|
Leicester Rod & Gun Club |
4 session course- Tue - Thu - Sat - Mon May 7: 6:15pm–8:45pm May 9: 6:15pm–8:45pm May 11: 8:15am–4pm May 13: 6:15pm–8:45pm |
OPEN To enroll call (508) 389-7830 |
|
Assabet River NWR |
Independent Study-
|
WAITLIST To place a student on the waitlist call (508) 389-7830 |
| Townsend Rod & Gun Club 46 Emery Road TOWNSEND |
3 session course- Tue, May 14: 6pm–9pm Thu, May 16: 6pm–9pm Sat, May 18: 8am–5pm |
OPEN To enroll call (508) 389-7830 |
| Marshfield Rod & Gun Club 300 School Street MARSHFIELD Handicapped accessible |
Independent Study-
|
OPEN
|
New courses will be added to the listing above when they open for enrollment.
The map below shows the locations of the upcoming Basic hunter education courses. Green icons indicate that seats are available and red icons indicate that the course is full. See complete details above.
About Basic Hunter Education
Basic Hunter Education was developed by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and topics include the safe handling and storage of hunting arms and ammunition, hunting laws and ethics, care and handling of game, and wildlife conservation. Courses are offered across Massachusetts in different formats to meet the public's needs. Learn more.
Minors
Students under the age of 18 must have written consent from a parent or guardian to attend a Basic Hunter Education course. A parent or guardian should be present at the start of the student's class to complete the student's registration form or the student can bring a signed permission form with them to the start of their course.
Tips for finding a course
- Periodically monitor this page for new course offerings.
- Sign up for course notifications. We will let you know when courses are scheduled in your area.
- Another option is to take the course in a different state. The Basic Hunter Education course is standardized across North America and government issued certificates from any jurisdiction are accepted as proof of successfully completing the course in order to purchase your first-ever hunting license.
- Important: This option is only recommended if you already have a MA firearms license or do not wish to obtain a MA firearms license. An out-of-state Basic Hunter Education certificate will not be accepted by your local police department to apply for a firearms license.
Note: Students who wish only to apply for a firearms license should take a firearms safety course. Certified firearms safety courses are the ideal course for non-hunters and individuals wishing to apply and obtain a MA firearms license (Firearms Identification Card or License to Carry). Contact your local police department to learn what conditions must be met before a firearms license is issued.