MassWildlife has free opportunities to help you sharpen your archery skills this summer. Join them at one of their Archery 101 events to learn the basics in a relaxed, supportive setting—perfect for beginners, with equipment available to borrow. Plus, public archery ranges are now open across the state for individual practice—just bring your gear and sign up for a free pass.

Archery 101

Join MassWildlife for a free event to learn all about archery. Experienced MassWildlife staff will introduce you to archery basics and help you practice on the range. You can bring your own equipment or borrow theirs. These events are geared towards new archers. Go to mass.gov/news/archery-classes to register.

Wednesday, July 15, 5–7 p.m. in Westborough. 

Tuesday, July 21, 5–7 p.m. in Milton. 

Wednesday, July 22, 5–7 p.m. in Westborough. 

Thursday, July 23, 5–7 p.m. in Dartmouth. 

Wednesday, July 29, 5–7 p.m. in Taunton. 

Thursday, July 30, 5–7 p.m. in Milton. 

Thursday, August 6, 5–7 p.m. in Southampton. 

Public ranges now open

If you have your own archery equipment but don’t have a great place to practice, try one of MassWildlife’s free ranges this summer. To use these ranges, you must obtain a range pass for 2026. Complete an application to receive a confirmation email that serves as your range pass. If you had a range pass previously, please complete the application again for 2026. For the link to apply for a pass, for directions to each range,  or to learn more, go to mass.gov/info-details/archery-ranges-opening-for-2026. Eight ranges are set up at different dates on Wildlife Management Areas:

Ayer Game Farm, Ayer (June 2 – October 5)

Erwin Wilder WMA, Norton/Taunton (June 2 – October 12)

George L. Darey Housatonic Valley WMA, Lenox (June 2 – October 12)

Governor Hutchinson’s Field, Milton ((June 27 – October 31)

Martin H. Burns WMA, Newbury (June 1 – October 1)

Noquochoke WMA, Dartmouth (June 12 – October 12)

Southampton WMA, Southampton (June 2 – October 5)

Wayne F. MacCallum WMA, Westborough (June 1 – October 12)