REMINDER ON NEW HUNTING LICENSE PURCHASE LAW

 Effective January 1, 2007, legislation signed this summer will require new or first time hunting or sporting (combination hunting and fishing) license buyers to produce a government issued certificate showing they have passed a basic hunter education course. Adult hunters, 18 years or older, who have held any hunting or sporting licenses prior to January 1, 2007, are exempt from this requirement and may show a previous license from any state or province for any year in order to purchase a license.  A Massachusetts Firearms Identification Card or License to Carry Handguns will no longer be acceptable for purchase of a hunting or sporting license.  The recent legislation now reinstates the hunter education requirement that had been in place prior to major gun law changes in 1998. Massachusetts comes into line with the other 49 states requiring all new hunters take a basic hunter education course in order to purchase a hunting or sporting license.  A Question and Answers link has been posted on the MassWildlife website at:  http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfw_hunting_license_purchase_law.htm