There are many different classes to shot. Many with a 25 yard max distance.

After reading all of this thread and the many intelligent responsesI don't think I would be in favor of Govt. ran mandatory testing.....

I just wish there was a way to get those who don't do their share of practice out there.

Sure you would have a few folks doing that. But, if they failed...they would still go hunting with their archery equipment anyway.... that or take up spotlighting with a rifle. People like that are going to break the rules one way or another. Laws only restrict the law abiding.

What we are talking about here is legislating common sense. Again, I'll bring up the seat belt law. Sure, its to protect you, but, its just common sense to wear one. Just like practicing with your bow.... yes its just good common sense. You cannot rationalize or score something like that.

I had a very good discussion with some folks on the traditional or it might have been the crossbow thread about shooting quals. Someone said in jest that it might as well be an elevated 60 yards mover...and in order to hunt you had to hit the 11. Well, I responded that it doesn't matter where you hit....because if you take that shot, you should fail the test! Thats the point of the whole thing. I could probably, quite honestly, hit the 11 on a 60 yard mover at least once if I had ten goes at it. I can, and regularly do hit the 10 ring at 60 yards, and up to 80 yards. Lots of folks don't have that kind of room to practice. I digress.

The bottom line is this is all about ethics... and you cannot make ethics uniform because they are a set of individual values. You are always going to have people who shoot at game they cannot kill everytime... but it is up to you NOT to do it! There is nothing illegal about shooting at a deer at 60 yards with a bow. Out west, hunters do it all the time. Of course, elk are larger than deer. But still...if you are not comfortable, or schooled in shooting that distance, its up to you to stop yourself. Ethics is all up to you. Just like holding the door for a lady, or excusing yourself when you break wind...no law or requirement about it... just good manners.

Scott I agree with that. I know, for me.....you'll have to prove you can shoot before you can come hunting with me. That's about all I know I can do.

Your heart's in the right place. I'll give you that.

Have a good rest of your holiday.

Hmmm new idea.....

What do you guys think about a voluntary proficiency test where you could earn a stateissued "marksman" card?

Maybe have three levels of accuracy, first level being the highest levelor "marksman", a second level being "above average"and a third level that would be "proficient".

I would think something like that would aid us securing hunting permission from land owners, it would show them that you take it seriously by voluntary partaking in the test.

It may not get the lazy guys out but it may help those of us out who do practice and are competent with our equipment.


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That's an interesting idea....I would jump all over that one...Let's say you could take the test once a year to improve on the previous year's......If you were "Proficient" last year, you could test again in a year to see where you fall then.....That would be good motivation for some, as well as open their eyes to the fact that maybe they aren't as good as they thought......

Very intersting idea there buddy.....

Guys we already do something like that for a club I belong to. It's the group that gets the depredation permit hunts (and no I haven't been on one, yet). We have to pass the bowhunter's education course....pass a background check....and pass a "proficiency" test (which is administered at 20 yds).

Criteria is on the paperwork presented to municipalities/businesses/etc...that are seeking the aid of the group.

On second thought rather than it being state sponcered, I would think it would be better thru a private org such as P&Y or a smiliar club.

Keep the state Govt. out of it all together.

That sounds good but what I am speaking of would be on a "grander" scale, not just on the local level.

[quote]ORIGINAL: buckeyebuckhntr

Hmmm new idea.....

What do you guys think about a voluntary proficiency test where you could earn a stateissued "marksman" card?

Maybe have three levels of accuracy, first level being the highest levelor "marksman", a second level being "above average"and a third level that would be "proficient".

I would think something like that would aid us securing hunting permission from land owners, it would show them that you take it seriously by voluntary partaking in the test.

It may not get the lazy guys out but it may help those of us out who do practice and are competent with our equipment.



Haha thats funny but...... did you know that there is a majority of world class shooters out there that can drill a ten ring all day long mostly at twenty yards. but if you put them in the situation with a deer in front of them they cant hit the broad side of a barn! And thats a fact! I personally know one that has placed good and won in many shoots including vegas and can never seem to hit a deer?? So to me its a horrible idea?[/align][/align] Another thing with people gettin bows out a couple days before season, do i agree with it.. NO! But a lot of people that are in that situation are trying to start a family, make the money to provide for their family and just dont have the time to practice like the rest of us?? They could also be going through a divorce and constantly have their kids and dont have the time to shoot(Like a Buddy Of Mine)! But can he shoot YES! Its like riding a bike it might take you a lil while but you never forget how!! [/align][/align] [/align]

No time to shoot, but time to go hunting..... I don't buy it. Everyone has time, it is just how you choose to spend it.