Additional hunter education courses

Designed for both experienced and novice hunters who want to improve or add to their skills.

We recommend students be 12 years of age or older to participate in the following courses. 

These optional opportunities to learn are offered through MassWildlife's Hunter Education Program.

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

Map, Compass, and Survival

This type of course is typically offered once a month, April through September, in the town of Westminster, MA.

We recommend students be 12 years of age or older. Students under the age of 18 will need written parent/guardian permission to attend.

Location	Dates & Times	Status
No courses available	N/A	N/A

This one-day, 10-hour class includes both indoor and outside instruction on the use of a compass and topographical map for land navigation. Students will spend several hours in the woods practicing map and compass skills. We recommend wearing comfortable footwear (i.e., hiking or running shoes), long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and bright outer clothing. Students should also bring insect repellent, sunscreen, lunch, snacks, and water. 

Classes are held rain or shine.

Additional opportunities

• The New England Orienteering Club (NEOC): Check out their Events and their Beginner's Corner to get started.
• NEOC's Scout-O: For scouts and other youth groups.
• Orienteering USA: Offers resources, training, access to permanent orienteering courses in Andover and Newton, and information about club activities for those who wish to be more involved in orienteering.
• Up North Orienteers (UNO)
• MassWildlife's Learn to Hunt Program: Offers scouting tips by species (with videos) as well as additional opportunities to learn in-person and virtually.
• Many sporting goods retailers, outdoor outfitters, sporting/gun clubs, and conservation and recreation groups offer map and compass/orienteering classes throughout the year. 

Black Powder (Muzzleloader) Education

Location	Dates and Times	Status
No courses available	N/A	N/A

The Black Powder (Muzzleloader) Education course is a one-day, 9-hour class that includes both indoor and outside instruction. Students learn about muzzleloading equipment, the safe handling of muzzleloaders and ammunition, and muzzleloader hunting laws. This class is for experienced and novice hunters and is offered when resources allow.

Waterfowl Identification and Hunting

Location	Dates and Times	Status
No courses available	N/A	N/A

Waterfowl ID and Hunting teaches the identification of waterfowl with an emphasis on ducks in flight. It includes fall and winter plumage and the size, shape, and flight characteristics of birds, as well as hunting laws and safety. This class is for experienced and novice hunters and is offered when resources allow.

Resources

• Ducks at a Distance: A Waterfowl Identification Guide
• MA Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations

Event accommodations

We will do our best to accommodate any needs to allow community members to participate as fully as possible in our events and programs.

• Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. To submit a request for an accommodation, please email [e-mail] or call 617-626-1282; an ADA Coordinator will receive your request. Please include a description of the request in as much detail as possible and a way they can contact you if they need more information. Please allow at least 2 weeks (14 days) advance notice. Last-minute requests will be accepted but we may be unable to fulfill the request.
• Please let us know of any language interpretation requests by email to [e-mail] at least 72 hours before the event.
• Se pueden solicitar servicios adicionales de traducción o interpretación enviando su solicitud por correo electrónico a [e-mail] al menos 72 horas antes de la reunión.
• Serviços adicionais de tradução ou interpretação podem ser solicitados ao enviar um e-mail para: [e-mail] com pelo menos 72 horas de antecedência da reunião.
• 如需额外的笔译或口译服务，请至少在会议开始前 72 小时发电子邮件至 [e-mail] 提出要求.
• Ou ka mande plis sèvis tradiksyon oswa entèpretasyon lè w adrese demann ou pou imèl [e-mail] omwen 72 èdtan anvan reyinyon an.
• Các dịch vụ biên dịch hoặc phiên dịch bổ sung có thể được yêu cầu bằng cách gửi yêu cầu của quý vị qua email đến [e-mail] ít nhất 72 giờ trước cuộc họp.
• Предоставление дополнительных услуг письменного или устного перевода можно запросить, отправив просьбу по электронной почте на адрес [e-mail] как минимум за 72 часа до начала встречи
• Des services de traduction ou d'interprétation supplémentaires peuvent être demandés en envoyant votre demande par e-mail à [e-mail] u moins 72 heures avant la réunion.