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 (Wed & Sat) and complete online M A Hunter St udy guide Both dates are required. Wed, Sep 9: 6:00pm-9:00pm (Virtual) Sat, Sep 19 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 (Thu & Sun) and complete online M A Hunter S tudy guide Both dates are required. Thu, Sep 10: 6:00pm-9:00pm (Virtual) Sun, Sep 20 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 (Tue & Sat) and complete online M A Hunter St udy guide Both dates are required. Tue, Sep 22: 6:00pm-9:00pm (Virtual) Sat, Oct 3 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 (Thu & Sun) and complete online M A Hunter S tudy guide Both dates are required. Thu, Sep 24: 6:00pm-9:00pm (Virtual) Sun, Oct 4 starts @ 8:00am, 9:00am or 10:30am Choose preferred start time	COURSE IS FULL
MassWildlife Conn. Valley District Office 341 East Street BELCHERTOWN Click here for directions	2-day course (Thu & Sun) and complete online MA Hunter Study guide Both dates are required. Thu, Sep 24: 6:00pm-9:00pm (Virtual) Sun, Oct 4 starts @ 8:00am, 9:00am or 10:30am Choose preferred start time	COURSE IS FULL

Tips for finding a course

Sign up to be notified. Provide your contact information and we will notify you when courses are available in your general area.
Periodically check this listing. This list is routinely updated as courses are scheduled and opened for enrollment across the state.
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.