Dan, I do not disagree with the class, or the education. My original point to the original topic was that if we HAVE to take a proficiency exam to hunt, it should be for all types of hunting, not just for bowhunters.

What I do disagree with, is that we are required to pass a shooting test with our weapons before we can hunt certain areas. I am fully aware that hunter ed requirements are becoming more often. I've had to take a few different types of classes to hunt ways and areas that I have hunted for over a decade. These have all been classes to educate, and I don't have a problem with taking them.

You said it right the first time...

&quot;Jerry is the ONLY alaskan bowhunter I have MET that <font color=red>doesnt agree with the proficency testing!&quot;</font id=red>

The second time though you said...

&quot;Yes Jerry you are the ONLY bowhunter I know that has actually taken the class and disagrees with it, passed or failed.&quot;

I'm talking about the proficiency testing. I might not of been real clear on that, but that's where my feeling is on this issue.
ArcticBowMan's Hunting Photo's

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BTW, and for the record, you didn't come close to offending me. In my line of work I get called things that would make a trucker blush. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

JRW
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Are you a truckstop hooker?<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

my bad, you know what I ment the 2nd itme, just said it arse backerds the second time! The &quot;it&quot; being the proficency testing as per the AK bowhunting course as I know you agree to the class room portion minus the out dated stuff like the rest of us.
&quot;Yes Jerry you are the ONLY bowhunter I know that has actually taken the class and disagrees with it (&quot;it&quot; being proficnecy testing), passed or failed.&quot;

I agree with what you are saying though to other weapons hunts and certifications of some sort 200%!

But you also need to look no further then the basic hunters edu. classes. Atleast in the lower 48, they do a much greater written test and also a weapons handling test, both live fires and unloaded in different scenarios. Its not very far off with the shooting proficency in the ak ibep course (same concept to a degree in my eyes). Probably even more strict in the hunters edu class then the ibep course. Granted I havent taken an ALaskan hunters edu class (have been asked to teach it though) so I am basing what little knowledge I have on the two subjects to what knowledge I have gained. I can only hope they are closely similar between Mn and AK.

One thing I DONT grasp from the gang that is posting, is the written portions. Have we come to accept the fact that we have to prove ourselves on paper? I guess I personally would rather perform then try and pencil push to recieve my certification. that is however just my humble opinion!

btw JRW, those two posts of ours where in the making at the same time DOH <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>!

I beleive it was lilhunter that brought up the grandfathering of the profeciancy test, this is a reasonable thing to do, I am one of the oldtimers he spoke of in regards to that, in Va. when they started hunters safety, every one who had a prior years hunting license was grandfathered. When Va. started hunters safety most people who hunted prior to that time had mentors, fathers, uncles, cousins and or brothers, now there are a lot of new hunters that do not have the benefit of a mentor, this is sad, but true, I have often wondered if I would have thrown in the towel or made a lot of stupid mistakes without one.

ABM I agree with you that profeciency should be across the board for all weapons, all weapons have different dangers and quirks. Blackpowder is a prime example, I garauntee you that there are a lot of newbies to black powder that have no idea how to deal with a hangfire.

JRW I feel that the grandfathering of this will appease the people like your friend.

I would love to see some form of mentoring programs for all types of hunters, not mandantory, but a group of hunters willing to take a new hunter under thier wing.

Man I would hate to think what a mess I would have made field dressing my first deer if I had never seen it done before, little lone if I was trying to do it from a book! Do not get me wrong, I know there are videos and some of the write ups on field dressing will get you through it, but seeing and doing are quite different from reading.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club