I am a Bowhunter Education Instructor for Pennsylvania. I am certified through the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

1&2) If I had to rate the support from above for the Bowhunter Ed course in PA it would probably be a 5 or a 6 out of 10. Right now there is not enough money being put into it. But each year that is getting better and in a few years it will become mandatory for bowhunters in PA to be certified.

3) Yes the state helps fun our course

4) Yes it is $18 per each student and all that money does is covers the cost of the course materials for each student.

5) Not usally most of our students are adults who are going to other states to hunt and need the certification to hunt in that other state. I would like to see more young hunters taking the course.

6) One area I really would like to see added to the course would be some sort of a Proficiency test, such as being able to put 3 arrows in an 8" pieplate at 20 yards. I know New York and I think New Jersey have proficiency parts to their courses as well as Alaska I think. I would also Like to see more time spent on setting up and selecting equipment. But overall the PA course is very good and puts the right amount of emphasis on ethics and Treestand safety, two areas that are keys to the survival of bowhunting and bowhunters.

Don K if I can be of any more assistance to you please feel free to send me a PM and maybe we can discuss any more questions you have further.