Jason,

How about grandfathering it in? I know most of us "aged" (shew did I say that lol) have NO problem being successful bowhunters and proving it at that, I wouldnt slap anyone in the face in that department. We have learned through trial and error the rights and wrongs, spent the time needed to become what we are today both in the books and on the fields. Also, myself as an instructor, I end up teaching folks with much great hunting experience then and am truely humbled at times in the prof. testing with these same people. Possibly a mentoring program, I know I wasnt allowed to hunt with any weapon till I showed a level of proficency both in how I handled weapons be it firearms or bows, and a level of proficency with them!


However, when you look at the new and the young to the sport, trying to stress a level of commitment and dedication in doing so almost keeping them from making the mistakes others are. NO it wont fix all the problems many have posted here. But like I said in my first post, starting someone in the right direction to begin with is the first key to success. Let them fail and fail again, they are more apt to fail. Let these same people teach others the art of "bowhunting" and these new folks are already short of a full deck.

Now you ask how this prof and class room TESTING (which btw, there is both written AND prof testing that you MUST pass in order to receive your Ak state IBEP cert!)is going to help eh? No not all folks need to be quoted in the range department, your 10 yard buddy is a case in point. You know as well as I however, there are far less 10 yard shooters, espically ones that actually say and when the time comes STICK to there limitations, in the bowhunting world today! Read on....

Unfortunatly for many today, the key in bowhunting is the drive for success, plugs like longer season, more harvest tags, better areas for monster bucks, 150" class this and 170" class that etc etc..what it all boils down to is the need to kill and many>>>>>MANY<<< mind you its all about a punched tag, if not, the season/hunt/weekend was a waste (sad attidue Imho)! Look at how they write, how they hunt, and the attitude they hold.

Hopefully this hole testing, both written and shooting (as they are both proficency testing one physical, one mental) will set them on the road to success on being a successful bowhunter. Defining an quoted range distance of X yards/meters is a tough decision, one in which may or may not be needed. I agree there is and will in the future be a better way to teach this class, as that is what we are trying to accomplish, this certifcation/education class. For now I agree to it, having a hole state certification (which we dont have...YET) and see very few if any of these dedicated folks failing the testing we have currently set up today at the ranges and sized targets we are using for the shooting test. Also taking a written test showing the knowledge you have on game and many situations, a bare bones minimum, but yet something to start off with and a solid foundation for the right direction. For now this is what we have and it is in the minority that have taken it or are bowhunting in other areas and need not take it, that disagree with this testing. I know many that dont agree on the data as much is long since outdated, which is in the process of updating btw. But until we can come forward collectivly to make changes and tweak what we do have, the biggest group of bowhunters in Alaska felt something needed to be done, atleast in the high profile areas where there are many group users, I am sure that will change to the hole state in due time. If you want problems in receiving this test, look no farther then Alaska! Considering there are tons of villages and towns only accesable by planes, looooooong boat rides, or freezing cold arctic snowmobile rides that could just as easily kill you getting in and out.

Its not to statisfy the anti's as they will never be happy until hunting, trapping, and fishing is gone as we know it, That is already a proven fact so its a point that not need be hashed! Its to keep the mindset of a bowhunter good in the general publics eye. Its nothing more then showing we as hunters, here specifically bowhunters, actually care whats going on, nothing that is new since the time of Teddy R., or the NRA's beginning, Fred Bear or Howard Hill on Tv both hunting and shooting. Having hunters on the cover of outdoor life like it used to be, the list goes on and on. We know we probably will never get back to the accpetance level we had then, but dang it if I am going to fail and loose what I have due to individuals and there misguided exploits!

Like I have said, its about education...much like taking a hands on test. Who are we to test someone who has spent the past 5 years working as an electrical apprentice, yet some level of quality (for lack of a better word) as an electrician must be achieved and the only way to find that out is to test them on it before they are handed there journeyman status. Or the fella who has guided the past 15 years and wants to hold the status of master guide. Bummer more tests. Does it discriminate, I am sure to some extent, does it educate, your dang right it does. Nothing more then a tool that will hopefully show the "bowhunters" and non hunters alike that we as a bowhunting society will not put up with slobs. Does it hurt the good guy, nope, will it completly stop the bad guys, probably not tomorrow, but the more we have good, the better we are as a group.