Last year, the COVID-19 epidemic made it impossible to hold in-person hunter education classes. Mahar Regional School has hosted hunter ed classes for over 50 years and that was the first time a class was not available locally. This week, following some changes in Massachusetts regulations related to gatherings during this period when COVID-19 is waning but not gone, approval was received for a class to be held at Mahar in August. This writer is the longest tenured Massachusetts Hunter Education instructor in the state, having been involved for over 40 years. The class has evolved significantly during that period and continues to be dynamic. A number of teaching models are now in place but the class this year will be delivered using the same format used two years ago.
The class will be held in two sessions, meeting on Tuesday evening, Aug. 10, and then on Saturday Aug. 21. Anyone looking to acquire a Massachusetts hunting license must complete a certified hunter education course. To purchase a license, a person must be 18 years old or age 15 with parental permission. In Massachusetts, a young person age 12 to 14 may hunt under the direct supervision of a licensed adult. They share one firearm and bag limit. Students under age 15 may take the course and, after passing the course, will receive the certificate once they reach the age of 15. There was a time when hunter ed classes consisted almost entirely of 15-year-old boys. Classes today are a mix of ages and genders with a significant portion of recent classes comprised of females and adults over age 30.
Under Massachusetts state law, you are eligible for a Massachusetts Hunting or Sporting License if you meet one of the following criteria: You have earned a government-issued Basic Hunter Education certificate like the one given to graduates of this upcoming course or one from any U.S. state, Mexico, or Canada, or you held a hunting or sporting license before Jan. 1, 2007 from any jurisdiction. Proof is not required. If you are interested in this course, or you know someone who would like to take a course, you should act quickly as the classes usually fill up fast. You should phone the Massachusetts Hunter Education Office at 508-389-7830 to register
The first evening will involve distribution of materials and presentation of the curriculum through in-person instruction. Social distancing will be strictly enforced for the health and safety of all. Anyone not vaccinated will be required to wear a mask. The three-hour session includes an AV presentation and begins the chapters of course study guide. Following the class, students will be required to do home study, a rigorous assignment that includes completion of the study guide in advance of the second session. That Saturday session will include group “hands-on” instruction and the final exam, on which students must be achieve a grade of at least 80%. Those who pass and are age 15 or over will get their certificate in the mail shortly after the course is concluded. An important next step is to make arrangements with the police chief in the town they reside in to apply for a firearms permit. That process takes time and successful students should not delay in getting that started.
In addition to yours truly, the teaching team will include Evelyn Cunha, Anthony Cunha and Tim Donovan. If you have ever considered volunteering to be a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor, there is always room for more team members, particularly as the program is moving forward and innovating to be as relevant as possible in suiting the needs of those wishing to become involved in hunting. You can contact me to learn how to become an instructor. Teaching or training experience is obviously a plus but not required.
It seems like building an ark in your back yard might be in order as the rain just keeps coming! The water in the pond where I spend most of my summertime is up close to two feet. Some of my neighbors have pulled their boats out of the water as the pond level is rising up to, or over, the docks. A few years ago, a similar situation occurred and one of the boats actually turned over as the mooring line caused it to flip when the water rose. So far, my dock has about a foot of freeboard.
It will be interesting to see what the wet conditions will mean in the natural world. There was always speculation that cold, wet weather would impact ground-nesting birds and animals. There have been many sightings of cottontail rabbits locally and broods of turkeys of various sizes have been reported. A young black bear crossed the road in front of me this week and bear sightings are definitely up in the North Quabbin region. Hopefully, this weather will break. Maybe enough to allow a “get away” and have a brief vacation. Stay dry!
Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, Counselor and Director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, has been a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor for over 40 years and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.