New York enacted is bowhunter education program back in 1980. At the time, I had been bowhunting for 10 years and had taken several animals including an elk (out of state of course). I attended the first class in my area, along with about 40 other people, most who had been bowhunting for years.

Did I learn anything? No, I don't think so. Was it a pain? Heck no, anything that had to do with hunting was something I looked forward to. The instructor encouraged a lot of participation and we had a good time talking about bowhunting. I think things have changed since then, and the course is longer and probably more boring, but it's still about hunting stuff. Go there with the attitude that you're going to enjoy it and you just might.