Hi Don, I'm a certified instructor here in the state of montana and NBEF is our guidlines as this is pretty much accepted throughout the states and canada. The course is free of charge and is funded by the state (thanks non-residents) and our classroom is completely full each year of about 30 students. Its a cram course of about 16 hours watching vidioes and having guest speakers in a classroom, there is no bowhandling or techniques taught but mostly focus on hunting ethics, equipment, regulation review, survival and mostly common sense situations. The course is conducted by myself and the fwp's biologist and another volunteer. The state of montana rewardstheir instructorsby sending a subscription to "montana outdoors", and a yearly banquet, and some freebees such as shirts and knives, ect.
I think if you look at anything hard and longenough its easy to find ways to improve on anything. (except me)If I could change anything, I would make it mandatory to have a day at the archery range. I would like to see a fee for the course to be charged if the money went back to the fish and wildlife for enhancement, but not to line the pockets of others. I think maybe a reason the state doesn't charge a fee is b/c of 95% of our students are under 18 and the state is trying to promote hunting to our younger generation due to the fact that there are being fewer licenses being issued. We are gradually loseing our sport and its not b/c of the anti's, its because our younger generation appears to be more preoccupied with electronics.[X(]

Bobby