Bowhunter Education Courses

Designed for novice and experienced hunters. Bowhunter Education covers bowhunting safety, hunting ethics, and bowhunting laws. 

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

Youth hunters (12 to 17 years of age) follow regulations specific to their age. Learn more.

Earning a Bowhunter Education certificate... 

• does not qualify an adult for a Massachusetts hunting license. If you are a first-time hunter, you must complete a Basic Hunter Education course (through any state) to qualify for a Massachusetts hunting license.
• is voluntary in Massachusetts. If you qualify for a hunting license, you are not required to complete Bowhunter Education.
• is recognized by other jurisdictions (i.e., other states/other jurisdictions) that require the successful completion of a Bowhunter Education course.

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

Bowhunter Education course listing

To enroll, call 508-389-7830
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Location	Date & Time	Status
Woburn Sportsmen's Association 155 Middlesex Turnpike BEDFORD Driving directions	Sunday June 29, 2025 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Lunch will be provided by the club at no expense to the student (hotdogs, burgers, chips, and assorted drinks).	OPEN To enroll, call 508-389-7830
Nenameseck Sportsmen's Club* (pronounced “Nen-na-mess-ick”) 75 West Ware Rd PALMER Driving directions Accessible building	Saturday August 23, 2025 8 a.m.–4 p.m.	OPEN To enroll, call 508-389-7830
Cape Gun Works 96 Airport Rd HYANNIS Driving directions	Saturday August 23, 2025 9 a.m.–5 p.m.	OPEN To enroll, call 508-389-7830

*Nenameseck Sportsmen's Club note: The entrance on Bacon Road is closed at one end. Please use the West Ware Road entrance to get to the clubhouse.

Future Bowhunter Education courses will be listed above as they open for enrollment. Please check back soon and sign up for course notifications.

About Bowhunter Education

The Bowhunter Education course was developed by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF). Topics covered include bowhunting safety, ethics, and bowhunting laws. 

Upon successful completion, students are mailed a Bowhunter Education Certificate of Completion 1-2 weeks after the end of their course.

Archery lessons

Bowhunter Education is not an archery course. If you are seeking archery lessons or looking for archery ranges, visit Archery360.com 

Special accommodations

If you have a disability or a medical condition and you would like to request special accommodations, or if you speak a language other than English and you would like to request an interpreter, please email [e-mail] or call the Hunter Education Program at [phone] and press zero to speak with an attendant.