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Massachusetts Hunter’s Education Program

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Hunter’s Education Program, which began in 1954 and is administered by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, was put into place to “protect the lives and safety of the public, promote the wise management and ethical use of our wildlife resource, and encourage a greater appreciation of the environment through education”. 1 This program is responsible for teaching beginning hunters the correct and safe techniques for handling firearms as well as other hunting and firearm activities. The importance of this program is seen yearly with the continuing decline of hunting related accidents and deaths.

Beginning hunters or hunters buying their first license in Massachusetts are required to successfully complete a hunter’s education program, and in Massachusetts this requires the hunting student to attend the basic hunter education course. This course is at least twelve hours long and can continue on to sixteen hours long. Hunter education courses are generally offered over several afternoons, over a weekend or a combination of weekday afternoons and a weekend. While attending these courses, the students will have the opportunity to learn more about gun and hunting safety, Massachusetts hunting laws, wildlife management and identification, the proper care and handling of game meat as well as survival and first aid skills. These courses are open to hunters who wish to attend, but those under eighteen must have their parents written permission to attend. There is no fee charged for this hunting program. Students will need to bring a pen and paper to the location they have registered for and to dress for outdoor weather as some of the program will be held outdoors. They should not bring their firearms or ammunition, if these items are needed the instructor will furnish them. After successfully completing a written or verbal final exam, students who are fifteen or over will receive a certificate and a patch while students who are fourteen years old will receive a letter stating they have completed the program and will receive their certificate of completion around their fifteenth birthday. Students who are between the ages of ten and thirteen will have to take the Massachusetts Hunter’s Education Program again to receive their certificate of completion. After these hunting students have received their certificate of completion, they are set to receive their Massachusetts hunting license.

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The importance of hunters attending the Massachusetts Hunter’s Education Program is most noticed with a look at the statistics for hunting related accidents and deaths. But, the welfare of the game that is hunted in this state is also something that should be looked at. Without proper management and techniques, there could come a time when there will be no new hunters due to the population of the wildlife being so low. These are very important factors in the sport of hunting in Massachusetts as well as any state and should be taken seriously. With proper management, hunters can enjoy their sport for many more generations. That is the ultimate goal, isn’t it?

1. http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/hed/hed_home.htm

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