I've read this board off and on for a couple of years now and somehow managed to keep from posting for one reason or another. This discussion was too much, however, so I registered and here I am.

Not trying to start a big argument, but here is why I believe it is definitely a bad idea to require a mandatory bowhunting "competency" exam before a person is allowed to hunt. In setting up such a program, you really need to worry about who might be involved in setting the standard for deciding whether or not you get to hunt. Old Joe Bob that is the head of your state wildlife commission right now just might decide that hitting six out of six on a paper plate at 20 yards is plenty good for certifying you to participate this year. But 5 years from now, your new governor might just appoint one or two more anti-hunting inclined wildlife commissioners to the board and give them the majority. Then who's to say that the new "revised standard" might not just become six out of six in a tennis-ball size target at 40 yards, or even six out of six in a ping pong-ball size target at 50 yards. To me, making a mandatory test for participation just opens the doors for anti-hunters to pursue new avenues to end such a wonderful tradition. Do I wish newcomers would take more time for practice, tuning, etc., before heading for the woods? Sure. But I don't think a mandatory proficiency test is the answer.