MassWildlife is offering free archery classes this summer, along with access to public ranges across Massachusetts for those looking to practice on their own.
The agency’s Archery 101 events are designed for beginners and will give participants a chance to learn basic archery skills from experienced MassWildlife staff in a relaxed range setting. Participants may bring their own equipment or borrow equipment at the event.
The classes are open to participants who are at least 8 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Upcoming Archery 101 classes include:
- Wednesday, July 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Westborough (click hyperlink to register)
- Tuesday, July 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Milton. This class is full, but participants may join the waitlist.
- Wednesday, July 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Westborough
- Thursday, July 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Dartmouth
- Wednesday, July 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Taunton
- Thursday, July 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Milton
- Thursday, Aug. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Southampton. This class is full, but participants may join the waitlist.
MassWildlife is also opening eight temporary public archery ranges on Wildlife Management Areas across the state this summer and fall. The ranges are free to use, but archers must bring their own equipment and obtain a 2026 range pass before using them.
The public ranges include:
- Ayer Game Farm in Ayer, open June 2 through Oct. 5.
- Erwin Wilder Wildlife Management Area in Norton and Taunton, open June 2 through Oct. 12.
- George L. Darey Housatonic Valley Wildlife Management Area in Lenox, open June 2 through Oct. 12.
- Governor Hutchinson’s Field in Milton, open June 27 through Oct. 31.
- Martin H. Burns Wildlife Management Area in Newbury, open June 1 through Oct. 1.
- Noquochoke Wildlife Management Area in Dartmouth, open June 12 through Oct. 12.
- Southampton Wildlife Management Area in Southampton, open June 2 through Oct. 5.
- Wayne F. MacCallum Wildlife Management Area in Westborough, open June 1 through Oct. 12.
Anyone who wants to use one of the ranges must complete an application to receive a confirmation email, which serves as the required range pass. MassWildlife said anyone who had a range pass in a previous year must apply again for 2026.
The ranges are monitored but unstaffed, and users are required to follow posted safety rules. Only arrows with target points may be used, and broadheads are prohibited. Archers must shoot only at targets in their assigned lane, keep arrows pointed down or toward the target, and retrieve arrows only after all archers have stopped shooting and bows have been racked or cased.
Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited from using the ranges.
MassWildlife, formally the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, is responsible for conserving freshwater fish, wildlife, endangered plants and animals, and wildlife habitat across Massachusetts.
For more on the archery classes and ranges go here.
