its mandatory in my state, and im 100 percent for it. Dont even feel like explaining why theres so many reasons.

Field exercises including:
[ul]Distance judging - Take them in the woods and make a game out of judging distance while walking. [/ul]
[ul]Tree Stand safety - I had my son and now my daughter first get is a stand a few feet of the ground. [/ul]
[ul]blood trailing and sign Started taking him on blood trails when he was five, Sign he was in a back pack the first time we went scouting[/ul]
Testing
[ul]Shooting proficiency - The kids I take hunting have to proove to me they can hit what they are aiming at before they go with me.[/ul]
[ul][/ul]
[ul]
50 question multiple choice exam - If we do our job as mentors they cn ace it with out going to the class.[/ul]
[ul][/ul]
[ul]I'm in favor of the class but believe it's our job not the states to teach kids about the woods.[/ul]

I've been saying this for years.Im for it big time!!!!!!!

That's all well and good but there are adults that take up hunting too. Just look at the number of threads recently from folks that have just started or are doing it again after many years of layoff.

Are the accident rates any higher in states with out them?

I grew up hunting so safety is second nature, and I passed it on.

The class doesn't teach anyonemuch about the woods. It just makes sure that the person understands basic safety with their weapon, basic ethics concerning killing animals. Basic stuff and not that much at that but it sure is better than nothing.

And who is going to keep us(parents)in check.We all know that there are good ones and bad.I know what your saying but reality tells me that this is not the best way to go.Education and accountabilty is the way to go.Kinda like driving

1,000,000,000% YES!!! With shooting proficiency ... absolutey ... uhuh .... definitely .... for sure.... without a doubt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's the statement I was basically commenting on. To me that isBS. I hang with a group of guys that take it upon ourselfs to teach safety to our kids. For hundreds of years people were safe in the woods with out a state mandated class.

For those of you who are wondering what a course covers here is a brief description of the Pennsylvania course and here is a link to the International Hunter Education Association that shows some more of the course in detail and what it covers http://www.ihea.com/hunter-education...standards.php:

What subjects are taught?

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has developed an interactive curriculum to meet the International Hunter Education Association’s bowhunter education standards. The course is has two parts – home study and classroom. After students register for a class, they will receive an independent study kit in the mail. The kit consists of a student manual, workbook and video. On average, it takes four to six hours to complete the home study part of the training. Students then attend a one-day, eight-hour class.

Hands-on Experience

Becoming a Responsible Bowhunter
Preparing for the Hunt
Big Game Anatomy and Effective Shot Placement
Hunting Methods and Techniques
Survival and First Aid
Map and Compass Basics
Distance Estimation
Care, Use and Shooting of Bowhunting Equipment
Treestand Use and Safety
Big Game Recovery and Care

Classroom teaching aids include 3D models and anatomy flip charts to reinforce shot placement concepts. Teaching methods include videos, demonstrations, group discussions, dilemma exercises and role-playing activities. Field exercises include simulated blood trailing, shooting of bows and shot placement exercises, scouting for game sign, treestand use and safety exercises. The course emphasizes hands-on learning with nearly half the training done outdoors.

http://www.ihea.com/hunter-education...-standards.php