Basic Hunter Education courses

We are pleased to announce that with the phased reopening of Massachusetts, we have adapted our instructional model to allow for Basic Hunter Education courses to resume. These courses include an in-person field day, so sessions must remain small to adhere to public health guidelines. We appreciate your patience as we attend to the long list of interested students and work to scale up our course offerings safely.

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

Facility & Address	Dates and Times	Status
MassWildlife Headquarters 1 Rabbit Hill Road WESTBOROUGH Handicapped accessible Click here for directions	2-day course (Tue & Sun) and complete online MA Hunter Study guide Both dates are required. Tue, Nov 24^th : 6:00pm-9:00pm (Virtual) Sun, Dec 6^th starts @ 8:00am, 9:00am or 10:30am Choose preferred start time	Course is FULL
MassWildlife Headquarters 1 Rabbit Hill Road WESTBOROUGH Handicapped accessible Click here for directions	2-day course (Mon & Sat) and complete online MA Hunter Study guide Both dates are required. Mon, Dec 7th: 6:00pm-9:00pm (Virtual) Sat, Dec 19^th starts @ 8:00am, 9:00am or 10:30am Choose preferred start time	Course is FULL
MassWildlife Headquarters 1 Rabbit Hill Road WESTBOROUGH Handicapped accessible Click here for directions	2-day course (Mon & Sun) and complete online MA Hunter Study guide Both dates are required. Mon, Dec 7th: 6:00pm-9:00pm (Virtual) Sun, Dec 20^th starts @ 8:00am, 9:00am or 10:30am Choose preferred start time	Course is FULL

Tips for finding a course

Periodically check this listing. This list is routinely updated as courses are scheduled and opened for enrollment across the state. Checking this page is currently your best strategy if you are interested in attending a course that is being offered anywhere in the state.
Sign up to be notified. Provide your contact information and we will notify you when courses are available in your general area. This strategy will be limiting for the next several months as we manage the restrictions set up to handle the pandemic. Course locations are currently confined to three sites in Belchertown, Westborough and Bourne.
Consider a course in a different state. 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: Individuals who only wish 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 who want only to 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.