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Is there anyone who doesn't agree with that?

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I don't agree with it! Too much regulation already...Anybody with any sense knows that shootin targets and shootin deer ain't the same.

~Will Hunt For Food~

I dont believe that the beginners are idiots, I just want to welcome them to the wonderful world of archery hunting. Yes I do agree that we need some type of field test, but for the most part I believe it should be an accuracy test, and then getting into shot placement on wild game. These beginners should have already completed a hunter safety course, and be well knowledged on safety. I dont know what the safety course is like these days, but when I completed the course years ago it was a great tool to applying safety to hunting, and also got into shot placement and wild game.

For those who think I'm calling all beginners &quot;idiots&quot;, I'm certainly NOT!!! I'm talking about the idiots who perform zero in the way of due diligence and put themselves and others safety at risk and who have a very high likelihood of wounding game because they are idiots. Now...watch how many fellas will insist on coming to the defense of all beginners as not being idiots despite the fact that I just explained that all beginners are NOT idiots. By the way, some very good posts...didn't know if I'd get flamed on this deal or not. BowNC...<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Cyclone,

I couldn't agree more. Heck, let's just let PeTA run the proficiency tests while we're at it.

JRW

I do agree with the idea of a proficiency test that should be associated with a bowhunting license.

I’ll pile on with AK.

Without an accomplished mentor it’s very difficult for a new bowhunter to appreciate the depth and breadth of our sport. The journey that starts with an urge to hunt with a bow and ends with a meal of venison on the table is much more than shooting a deer with an arrow. Think about all the things you need to know and be good at to make that “journey”. My dad didn’t hunt so I didn’t get started until my father-in-law got a hold of me 22 years ago. He didn’t bowhunt, but I was immediately captivated by the thought of it. I was what some on this board would call an idiot the first few years as I stumbled and bumbled my way through the woods. Remember I was a city boy who had previously never left the sidewalk so even navigating the woods was a challenge never mind figuring out where a deer might live or how to get within 15 or 20 yards of one. Looking back I chuckle at all the silly mistakes I made, worthless equipment I bought and how many “sure fire” stand sites I’d located.

Those of you without a mentor that can remember back that far, were you any different?

A bowhunting course before a bow license would be a great idea in my opinion.

Wolfen, i'd still rather be around all the new &quot;idiot&quot; bow guys in the woods that all the new &quot;idiot&quot; gun guys. If somebody were to just start hunting, and had the metality of I know nothing but want to hunt, i'd rather give them a bow before a rifle, even if they had a safety course.

The problem lies to both rifle and bow hunters. I've put a lot of scopes on rifles for people, along with boresighting them. All that boresighting does is put you in paper at 100 yards. I make sure I tell these guys that, but I know many won't shoot their next shot until it's at a deer. A bad deal, some people just need to be informed more on hunting, along with more safety and education classes for all kinds of hunting sports. Since a lot of the hunters out their are city hunters, who didn't grow up around hunting as a lifestyle. Educating people is the key!
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Wow Wolfen68, I haven't posted on this forum for almost a year but I see that you are still stirring the pot. I agree with most of what you say and many of the beginner's are idiots but many of them are just learning through experience and unfortunately, that includes making mistakes. Hopefully, the ones that continue in this sport, will learn from these mistakes and get better because of them. Then in 5 or 10 years they will be condemming the beginners that follow in their footsteps. If you want to see real idiots, step onto to some state owned land next Friday, the 15th in Michigan (Opening day of gun -- I mean modern firearm season) and be sure to wear bulletproof outerwear.

Wolfen, good post. I understand what AK and some others are saying about newbies not all being idiots, but it is how the newbie goes about being new to the sport which will determine if he/she will be a bowhunter or an idiot. We all had to start somewhere and some of us were fortunate enough to have mentors others were not. I had some mentors, but looking back on their style of &quot;hunting&quot; some of them probably fit more into the idiot category, so I am for the most part self taught. If a newbie buys the gear and works to become proficient at it, joins boards like this, reads magazine articles, seeks pro shop help, and attempts to learn as much as possible before hitting the field, chances are that person will become a welcome member to the bowhunting community. However, if a person buys their gear shortly before the season, puts little effort into learning their gear, expects their gear to perform regardless of their expertise, and walks into the woods with little to no knowledge, that person is obviously an idiot. Those are the ones that are a black eye to our sport. They are the ones the antis love to hate and make it easy to state their case. A REAL proficiency test would eliminate them or force them to get the knowledge they need for success. I am all for a test like that.

i am 16 as well and this is my 1st year bowhunting too. i have learned much through you guys, magazines, the internet, and my father. Here in NJ you have to get a home study kit and watch the video. then fill out a huge packet (Like 20 pages) and then go and take a test. it has the &quot;General&quot; part and the &quot;bowhunting&quot; part. then you need to shoot 3 arrows out of 5 into a 12&quot; circle at a distance not told to you (limited at 20 yards) THEN you need to take a &quot;nature&quot; walk and they have different targets set up and you need to identify the target and guess the distance, shot placement, and seasons. then i shot, it was like 40 degrees and windy as anything. i still put the 1st 3 into the 12&quot; circle, and got a 100% on the written test. it was no easy piece of cake, but i think they are doing a good job in nj

&quot;For every dented car with blood and hair, we gain one pro-hunting vote.&quot;