I would like to see a shooting proficiency test as well as an education course. Treestand safety should be in there somewhere too. Not sure how the sports referenced have any bearing on this discussion, haven't been able to find the relationship yet, but i'll keep trying. Far as I know, there are no coaches involved with hunting, whereas in sports, you are constantly monitored by coaches telling how to do it properly, whether that be football or any other sport. So, there kind of is a safety course for sports, just not as obvious as a classroom setting.

LOL If you are being serious then that's too bad . Comparing weapons to a cheerleader flipping and men tackling................

I am being serious and no its not too bad. Compare the amount of weapons injuries that are bowhunting related and compare them to any of the sports I listed above...probably 1000-1 on the sports side. Can't we let people just hunt and stop overanalyzing every dang aspect of hunting. Here in VA we have to take a mandatory class to hunt. I believe in the general hunting education class but a bowhunting specific class is just too much.

Anytime education is involved, what would be the draw back to having more? In most cases, someone getting involved with archery is doing soat the hand of someone more experienced, but what about the cases where someone doesn't have that opportunity? I'd be interested to see a list of reasons why it's NOT a good idea. As far as comparing gymnastics and football and any other physical sport to bowhunting, those sports are all progressive in nature. You just cant walk on a team and be up to speed with people of greater ability than you, and if you could do that, the coach should be fired. Months, sometimes years of practice, EARNS you the right to be on that field or mat or whatever else competeing at whatever level you're at. That's why there's pee wees, little league, minors, etc. All that practice is the same as a hunters ed course in my eyes. JMO.

I agree!

I don't think anything bad can come from it. I think everyone should take just to experience it and I think some people could really use it.
Just my opinion... It was an inconvenience though!

I don't think a few class room hours of teens void of video games will make a difference. Quality instructors would always be a limiting factor.
Now as a public service, all clubs offering such a class should be rewarded.

I'm all for it. Especially the shooting proficiency portion. I hate to see wounded deer walking around in pain and sometimes dying a slow death. That said, it may be a bit of a problem. Just like Magicman laid out above, the grind, and pain it can be for the parents. My point is, I don't come from a "hunting family", my parents would have never suffered thru that with 5 kids. They're not Anti's at all, just don't hunt. This could discourage some young hunters. I am definitely for teaching map reading courses (8 digit) and teaching how to use a "compass" before they handle the GPS for obvious reasons. Stand safety is a MUST also!!!A bit of First Aid too.So yes, I'm in!

I'm for it.

I am also for making it madatory for those who have to re-apply for their license due to having it taken away for various reasons.

I also think there are those who would benefit going on an annual basis.

Sure have wasn't scary at all You really think one-two days in a class makes someone a safe hunter.

My kid recieved a 100 on both his bow and gun classes. He could have just taken the test with out the class and got the same score.

If we did our jobs as parents and mentors there would be absoloutely no need for hunters ed.