SW Iowa Hunter mind you this is just my opinion, but to me the competanct test should have a minimum of 6 out of 6 in a pie plate at 20 to pass. That said, I also feel that for a new archer it would not hurt to have targets further also, simply to where he will be able to have a more experienced person advice them as to what their max range should be for their skill level.

I am in my third year of bow hunting and can put 6 out of 6 at 30, but I limit myself to 25 yards and to be honest will probably continue to do so.

You and many others are right when you say that competancy test and bow safety course will not eliminate unethical hunters, what it will do though is give the new bowhunter who wants to be ethical and does not have a mentor, an idea of what is ethical.

Will it eliminate the unethical? No, but it will stop people who decide the day before the season opens from buying a bow and license and wounding deer.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club