Overview:
A hunter education field day was held at Mahar Regional in Massachusetts, with 44 students attending. The course is offered in two formats: in-person and blended, with the latter requiring students to complete an online course and register for a one-day field day. The course has evolved over time, with a broader student population that more closely resembles society by age, gender, and ethnicity. The recent class had an average age in the late-20s to mid-30s and a gender ratio of close to 3 to 1. Every student passed the standard exam, which requires a score of at least 80%.
This past Saturday a Massachusetts Hunter Education Field Day was held at Mahar Regional in Orange. There are two formats under which hunter education courses are offered in Massachusetts. The in-person course is a traditional classroom course, offered over multiple days with the curriculum taught by certified volunteers using a manual and a variety of teaching tools including AV presentations and a variety of teaching methods.
The blended format requires the student to successfully complete an online hunter education course, which requires considerable time and commitment. After successfully completing the online class, students need to register for a one-day field day. Field days are offered around the state and the Orange session was attended by 44 students.
This writer has taught hunter education at Mahar for over four decades and seen the program evolve in many ways, adapting to changes in educational philosophy and “best practices.” It has also changed as the demographics of those seeking to get involved in hunting follow social trends. The course, a curriculum prepared by The National Hunter Education Association, is constantly updated and is used in all 50 states and recognized in Canada and Mexico as well.
A big change has been that classes were once almost entirely 15-year-old boys. In the 1970s, young women began to take greater interest and over time, a broader student population evolved which more closely resembles society by age, gender and ethnicity. The recent class had only three young boys and had an average age in the late-20s to mid-30s and a gender ratio of close to 3 to 1.
For this retired educator who served as a high school social studies teacher for over 30 years, the performance of students on the standard exam after completing the online course and participating in the field day has been impressive. Every one of the students on Saturday passed the test, which requires a score of at least 80%.
It is my good fortune to have an exceptional team of volunteers who work with me. Over my tenure, I taught the course alone for the first decade and then was joined by my fellow teacher Al Mexcur and then Len Crossman, who was a Massachusetts State Trooper trained in educational programs that were used in schools. Both were avid hunters and passionate about hunter education.
Both retired, and Mahar grad and education professional Tim Donovan became certified as an instructor, and later, Mahar teachers Evelyn Cunha and William Devine joined the team, as did Mahar grad Don Theriault. This group of dedicated, trained and enthusiastic instructors provide a first-class experience to the students. If you know someone who is interested in taking a hunter education course, you can go online at the MassWildlife web page and search “hunter ed.” There are still some dates for field days, but time is of the essence in order to complete the process in time for hunting season.
Today is the first day that applicants can check the MassFishHunt site to learn if they were selected for an antlerless permit. It is not a “first-come-first served” lottery and all selections have been completed. You can check anytime and then purchase the permit if your name has been selected.
The allocations of permits are determined after the wildlife staff review data from check stations and other information that can be used to determine deer density in each of the 14 MassWildlife Wildlife Management Zones. Each year, some of the zones will have surplus permits. These will go on sale in September. You should go to the MassWildlife web page in September to find instructions on how purchase surplus permits.
Please note that if you have not previously gone through the process of registering for a Mass.Gov ID, you will not be able to enter the MassFishHunt web page. I am including the suggestions provided by MassWildlife.
MassFishHunt, the commonwealth’s online licensing system for hunting, fishing, and trapping, transitioned to a new online platform in May 2025. The first time hunters/anglers/trappers visit the new MassFishHunt licensing site, you will be prompted to enter basic information, and the system will find your existing customer details.
Once logged in, you can buy licenses, report harvests, and access your account information. Step-by-step instructions about how to claim an existing account or create a new account using MassFishHunt can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/how-to-use-massfishhunt Customers that need additional assistance can call customer service at 833-998-8240.
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, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.