Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

OK, so I'm laying on the operating table this afternoon, and struck up a conversation with the assistant helping doing the prep work on me... Turns out he's a big-time bowhunter as well, and we get on the discussion of bowhunting out West. I told him I'm heading out to Colorado in August to chase elk, and he tells me that a lot of states are making the attendance of a bowhunter certification course mandatory before receiving a non-resident archery tag... I haven't heard that for Colorado, but that got me thinking: Do you think that it's coming for every state? I haven't attended one myself, and have never even seen one offered in our area.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

I wouldn't be surprised if it did happen everywhere. By the way you might want to check if you need it in Colo. I think I remember reading somewhere you might. But don't quote me on it.

OK I gotta ask. Why were you on the operating table?:eek:

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

It's always that one bad hunter that gives us good hunters a bad name. This might be a chance to weed that one bad hunter out. If mandatory bowhunting class came to Wisconsin, I'd be game.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Let's just say my laptop is literally resting atop some blankets and a bag of frozen peas... ;)

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Usually the term is hunter safety, not bowhunter safety, from what I have known and experienced.Hunter safetyis required in IA for anybody born after 1967 to do any type of hunting. We took ours a couple of years ago because CO required them for hunting and I had never taken one as I was older thanIA's requirement, and Sarah is just a baby and had never taken one so she had to to be able to hunt in IA. We took a hunter safety course, not a bowhunter safety. ON, Canada just requires a current or old hunting license if you choose not to provide them a hunter safety certifiate. Some cities in IA require a bowhunter safety class in order to do urban hunts.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Nope, this is specifically "bowhunter" safety I'm talkingabout here... I'm familiar with the general hunter safety courses; Missouri has held those for years and years too. I've heard of the bowhunter courses being offered in Missouri, too... just none in my immediate area yet.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Ourhunter safety course in IA, taken two years ago, qualified us to bowhunt elk in CO. It was not a bowhunter safety certificate course.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

If i remember correctly you do have to take bowhunter safety to bowhunt in colorado but I could be wrong. I know a guy that went elk hunting up there and I am sure that is what he said.

on another note, I think it would be a good idea. I think you have to take a proficiency test as well. That would cut down on alot of the slob hunters

rick

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

We hunted elk in CO in 2005. Didn't need it then.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

http://www.bowhunter-ed.com/tx/index.htm

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

I think that last year when they did the hunt in north Fargo in a residential area. They made the hunters pass a course before they would be considered for drawing a tag.

I don't think that it would be a bad idea to make it a mandatory test like taking your firearms safety course in Minnesota. I have a friend that hunts with bow simply because he hasn't taken the firearms course...Last year he demonstrated just how stupid of decisions a person can make.

He had a nice doe broadside at about 20 yards and a Nice buck at about 35. He ended up shooting the buck in the hind quarter...

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Seems like most of the nonresident tags I applied for required a hunter safety course from my home state. KS does as well. I suspect it will apply to most states. I'm not sure as whether its intended on tightening out of state hunters access or not.

Hope the surgery went well. Trust me. Do exactly what they tell you to do. Rest for the next day and nothing strenuous. Other than that no problems.

Kel

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Thanks, Kel... so far no problems and the wife is babying me... brought my laptop in here, turned on the Outdoor Channel, handed me the remote and took our two boys downstairs -- and brought me a bowl of cookies n' cream ice cream :)

I just went to Colorado's site...

So it looks like it doesn't have to specifically be a bowhunter course... I think I'll still look into getting one under my belt though just to prohibit any last-minute problems in the future.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

it already is in NY. i dont think theres anything wrong with it, in fact i think its a good thing to teach people what they do not know about the sport.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

I'm from LOUISIANA and before you can hunt the federal wildlife refuge system you must have completed and carry proof with you while on the refuge.Been this way prob. 15 years now.I don't know if you have to have it for the wma's which are state operated,but you don't have to have it for private lands.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Advil, Advil, and more Advil......;)

Yes, I think it will be mandatory in all states for both res and non res alike. I'm actually quite surprised it's not required more than it is. Just about every state I know of offers a voluntary class.....It's on the way I'm sure.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Got some Tylenol with Codeine by my side just in case, mobow... ;)I might pop one right before I go to sleep since my ice pack might slip off sometime during the night... The boys are frozen pretty good right now! :D

Yeah, I'm certainly not opposed to the idea of a specific bowhunter course, and would be very interested in taking one; I'd like to see what all was included in the course. I may go to our region's Conservation headquarters Thursday and see when the next one is coming up and how far away it is.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

I'm betting that's got to be a NBEF approved class though......I was looking into a South Dakota tag last year and that's what they require, so I investigated into whether or not MO's class meets that requirement.....According to our WONDERFUL conservation department ( [:'(]) it does. The one in my region is a 2 day affair......

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Here in south dakota there is two courses. One is just a general Hunt Safe course and the other is the National Bowhunter Education Course. Anyone under the age of 16 or all first time applicants for archery tags need to complete the Bowhunter one. ALL applicants for archery elk need to have it no matter what age or how many previous tags they have held. It is just a way to try and get everyone to take this course. I feel that everyone should doit if it is offered. The class is like an 8 hour class it covers everything from treestand saftey, shot placement, tracking game, ethics and everything in between.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

I think they will become more prevelant as years go by and urban hunts become more popular.

I had to take a bowhunter education class last year before being eligible for some Metro permit style hunts. It wasn't bad hanging out and talking hunting for 8 hours over 2 days but in the end I didn't learn much.I have been hunting for 30 years and although it was called Advanced Bowhunter Education the class was pretty basic.

I thought it would have been nice to try to take the test first and if you pass you could opt out of the class. They could have made the test a lot harder as well.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Greg:

I took it this past Winter here in NC. It IS a "Bowhunter's Education" course.....separate from the std. Hunter's Ed. course (which I took with my son, last year).

I thought I might need it to go on out of state hunts. It was informative....and not too time consuming. I'd recommend it to anyone.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Say no more...

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

I'm taking it this weekend at my buddy's pro shop so that I can go on urban hunts in Des Moines this year. I think someday it will be mandatory to take this course to bow hunt other states and even your home state. I know that most of us have already taken the hunters safety course, but I feel that the bow hunters safety course is a good thing, also. Safety should be the single most important thing on any hunters mind, and the class is one more thing to show your dedication to this sport that we all love.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

PA has a separate bowhunter's course as well:

http://www.hte.state.pa.us/eventCalendarShow.aspx?class_id=160

I have not taken this yet, but will in August. I think it should be mandatory and required for anyone, not just minors. It can't hurt and could help in many cases.

BTW, hope the boys are feeling better.;)

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Greg, I'm not sure if it will become mandatory, but it should be!

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Greg....I took the Hunters Safety Course 2 years back so I could take my Daughter on the Mo. Youth Hunt.Since I was older and didn't have to take the course Inever messed with it but I had to take the test so I could take my Daughters hunting.When we took the test the Instructor mentioned they were having a Bow Hunting Class in a few months because several States were requiringHunters to have the certification and he said it wouldn't be much longer and other States would start requiring it also.If you go to our Missouri Dept of Conservation web site you can find when and where you can take the Bow Hunting Class.Since Cape is bigger they will have more chances for you to take the classes,but be sure to check as soon as possible because some class may be limited to a certain amount of students or even require pre-registering?I enjoyed the Bow Hunting class as much or more than the other class because of my interest in Bow Hunting and they discussed other topicsabout hunting with a bow,shot placement and ethical hunting.

I don't live very far from you and when I went to Cape for my Doctors appoinment last Dec. I mentioned something about Hunting and my family Doctor and me spent more time talking about Deers than my ailment! LOL :o)

Hope you get better and be sure to take care of your peas so they don't thaw out. ;)

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

NY requires it now. Luckily I fell into some sort of grandfather clause where I had my VT and PA bowhunting licenses before these restrictions came into place. There are states now though that don't have a grandfather clause. I may take one in the next year or two just to have it done, because once I finally buy a house I plan to finally start booking some cool hunts and traveling. Don't want it to be a problem........and it can't hurt to have done I guess. Our local sportsmans club runs 2x of them every year.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

i actually HOPE they do.

PA's is optional...i just cant find one to get into just to take. i hear they are a real good expirience...new or veteran hunter...

why would i WANT them to make it mandatory??

just seems everyone i meet says they are a bowhunter around here...but they actually mean to say that they stand in a treestand with a bow during the fall...occassionally putting an arrow in a deer...sometimes they find it..sometimes they dont. you know...the guys that shoot MAYBE once a week from MAYBE july till the season...the guys that think broadheads DO fly with fieldpoints ALL the time no matter what...or adjusting your sights 4 foot to compensate for poor flight is normal...or the guys that think they hit a deer so charge after it immediatly after they hit it...etc etc etc i can go on for days.

they call themselves bowhunters...but if they are bowhunters than im an expert pro bowhunter...

i just cant help but to think how many deer are wounded and lost because of those types of guys...

dont get me wrong...most of us all has an arrow or 2 they wish they could take back...stuff happens...but im talking the guys that wound 4 or 5 bucks a year etc etc...

i just think that the course would help keep everyone somewhat upto par...i know they cant/dont cover EVERYTHING...but they do more than these guys get without the course

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Amen! It's manadatory here for any archery only hunts but not to hunt with a bow during the regular season [&:], since there is no hunter safety requirement for general "hunting" here. Even with the course it amazes me how many boneheads go out and treat their bow like they were hunting with a rifle. (Never practice, shoot too far, make poor judgement on shot placement...) You just can't teach ethics and there's always going to be those who have to learn from experience rather than the mistakes of others.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Would you think that the states would grand father bow hunters that have had a license in there state or make it manditory for all that haven't had oneor anyone new getting in to bow hunting would have totake to class. I think to be fair you would have to grandfather from a certian year and there after would need it.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Yea the is a "Grandfather" thing here in SD. It basically says if you have every held an archery tag, you are eligible. It is the first timers and elk applicants that are manditory. This is what the Book says.

Bowhunter Education

Before a license will be issued, all archery big game licensees 12 through

15 years of age, all first time archery big game licensees regardless of age,

and all archery elk licensees must possess a National Bowhunter Education

Foundation certificate or certificate of completion from a bowhunter

education course approved by any state or provincial government.

Residents who have not completed an approved bowhunter education

course can still apply. If drawn, their license will be held until the

License Office is notified of the certificate number once a course has

been successfully completed.

Regardless of when the course is completed, payment for licenses

drawn must be made by the payment deadline.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Unfortunately I believe it is. If you ask me I think hunters safety classes are a complete joke. Way to easy to and everyone passes.

I was shot in 2000 while bowhunting by a kid with a 30-06. After that I spoke at a lot of hunter's safety classes and was amazed at what I saw. Granted, most kids today aren't the same as when I was a kid, but this was rediculous. Nobody payed attention or had a clue, but everyone passed. It wasa joke.

IMHO, I believe hunters safety classes are a joke. There needs to be more emphasis on actual hands on shooting and safety. Rather than the useless info they actually teach.

ps Maybe this is a tangent and not warrented in a lot of states, but these are my observations from Wisconsin.

-Dan

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Up here in Maine it is mandatory if you have had no previousadultarchery license and it is separate from rifle hunting, which has its own.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Yes

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Yes, I think they will and they should be IMO. Nebraska requires one, they have the grandfather clause as well though, if you have had an archery tag in another state is is not required. WY, and MT both require them for out of state hunters, no clauses.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

in CA. i don't think we will ever see the Archery safety cert required for out of state hunters. the number of out of state hunters are not too many and the number of archers is very small compared to rifle hunters.

RE: Do you think bowhunting certification courses are going to become mandatory nationwide?
 

Bowhunter ed is required on all Corps of Engineers and wildlife refuge lands in Texas. Don't know about other states. I'm all in favor of it tough. It's a shame, but I think it's desperately needed. A whole lot of 'bowhunters' I've met over the years have been in dire need of some education.