I think the shooting proficiency helps keep some people out of the woods, but I don' t like the fact that it is only targeted (no pun intended) at bowhunters. Why isn' t there a mandatory shooting exam for rifle hunters that are required to take hunters ed in certain areas of Alaska?

I think it needs to be across the board or not at all personally.

But, fact is that things are the way they are right now. That being said, I would rather see the IBEP have the shooting proficiency as part of the program to pass the course, as well as the NBEF. Alaska is the only state that requires the shooting portion of the class, unless you get the IBEP in another state, then you don' t need it.

In Matt' s case, I like the idea of inviting him over to shoot one afternoon. Show him up and teach him something. Then we' ll all chip in and buy you a cupcake for your deed of the day.