Four years ago I would have been against a mandatory class, as I had "completed" one when I was 12yrs old when I took my hunters education class (which breifly covered bow hunting). Four years ago, I wanted to archery hunt in Alaska and needed a state authorized bowhunters card to be able to do so. After a bit of initial grumblingI completed my course (in Idaho), I found that it was beneficial and informative. I was also able to ask those questions I was always wondering about that the instructor was either up on, or found out the answer to. Afterwards I felt it was a needed class for ALL BOWHUNTERS!

Even though I had archery hunted since I could pull back a bow (20+ years), there was still a few tricks to teach the old dog. The largest realization was seeing the education get to those who needed it. The class was filled with everybody from veteran hunters to novice beginners. (There wasthis father/sonattendies that had never even hunted at all, but wanted to give archery hunting atry as theywere sport shooting together at a range)

The largest advantage to a bow hunters class overyour general hunters education is that (obviously) you are weapons specific.The do's and don'tsof shot placement (among other things) is paramountin archery hunting, and something that is not generally taught in your basic hunters ed.

I personally see the need for manditory bowhunters ed, regardless of anyones "experience".I would even go as far as having a refresher course every 5 to 10 years.