Are you for or against a mandatory Bow Hunter's Course and Why?

[pianoman9701]

There has been some discussion among archers in this forum regarding the positives and negatives of having a mandatory WDFW bow hunter's course, much like they have in many other states. If adopted, this course would be required for any bow hunter under a certain age to be able to hunt with a bow here in WA. Please vote and then make a comment to share your thoughts.

[woodswalker]

Even though we do touch on bows as a method in Hunter Education we do NOT spend a LOT of time discussing bow-specific issues.  With the increasing numbers of critters running about with arrows hanging out of non-vital areas, I'm of the opinion that H.E. needs to look at adding more bow-specific stuff...and that bow hunters need to be more realistic.

I see a disturbing number of folks who will take 70-80-90+ yard shots on game!  Or at least that is what they brag about before admitting that they didnt recover the critter.  As with rifle hunting...one needs to be able to reliably hit the target ALL THE TIME at a given distance AND the projectile (bullet or arrow) needs to have enough energy left at range to reliably penetrate the game with a fatal wounding occuring.  An arrow in the haunch does NOT count.

With the longer shots there are SO many more variables that i think most of the distance shooters are fooling themselves.

[eggster]

I think that's a great idea.you should have to prove yourself to at least 50yds.they could also put some sort of limit on lighter weight bows,say to 30yds that you'd have to shoot consistantly.or,better yet,limit yourself and practice,practice,practice.

[Camp David]

I think it is a great idea. I have taken the course and I'm also an instructor. The course is not only a shooting test, but also provides valuable information on hunting, tracking and ethics that goes well beyond the mandatory hunter education classes. There is also a section on tree stand safety that is invaluable since numerous accidents from bow hunters are related to this.

[bobcat]

I think that's a great idea.you should have to prove yourself to at least 50yds

 
Why should I have to "prove myself" to 50 yards if I won't take a shot at an animal beyond 30 yards?

[Camp David]

 

[pianoman9701]

I think that's a great idea.you should have to prove yourself to at least 50yds

 
Why should I have to "prove myself" to 50 yards if I won't take a shot at an animal beyond 30 yards?

I completely agree with that statement. 

[woodswalker]

I'm not sure that proving at distance is what is needed...We test rifle shooters for safe handling, not marksmanship. That said, I think that some discussion of realistic bow distances is in order.  Bobcat's self imposed limit of 30 yards is useful and ethical. Other longer distances may or may not be realsitic for other shooters.  Like Rifle hunters, bow hunters need to be realistic.

[Special T]

I will be taking one of these classes so i can bow hunt ID. That said, i do not think a class is going to change the way people think(mostly they don't)... Can anyone point out to me the facts, where i can get them, and say that there are less hunting related accidents since the advent of hunter safty? I am not aginst the class so much as i am against all the government regualtion... I don't like wounded game, or loosing them. I shot a doe in Arkensaw  at 12 yeards from a tree stand and though it to be a good shot. I hit here at a steep angle, she folded got up ran folded then ran a little father and folded... I gave it about 15-20 min and got out of the stand... She got up and ran across a creek in the pitch black and i never found her, not even the next day...   Bow hunting will always have wounded animals, and some lessons are the hardest learned. 

[jackmaster]

well to be brutally honest i think everyone should have to go through a course that is a little more demanding than hunter ed, because i have ran into some real fricken whack jobs in my time in the woods bow hunters and rifle hunters alike, i have seen a few deer and one elk with arrows sticken in them but i have also shot a couple deer and found old bullets in them, what i wish for is a common sense course that you should have to go through every couple 2 or 3 years no pass no hunt, but it should only be administerd to people over the age of 18, youth wouldnt have to take the course until they turn 18..

[Kola16]

2-3 years, that would get anoying, but the hunters ed course should be a little stiffer

[Fishhunt223]

I am not against bow Ed but you guys are all talking about unethical shots in archery only. What about the 4 and 500 yard rifle shots that these guys are taking that go out and sight their rifle in a week before the season, hunt for a week, and don't pick up their rifle for another 11 months?  Now I know some of you guys practice year round and are comfortable taking these shots and that is fine but most hunters don't have that dedication. If anybody wants to see what actually goes on during modern season, go hang out at the sporting goods counter of your local walmart the night before opening day. You would be amazed at the amount of people that come in for a tag, a box of ammo, and to have their rifle boresighted. These are the same guys who think that if they hit an animal with a bullet, that animal will drop in his tracks. WRONG! I have seen many more animals that were not recovered by rifle hunters than by archery hunters. Sure there are some archers out there that are unethical hunters and lack the practice required to put that arrow in the correct spot every single time, but most of us are serious about our sport and practice practically every day throughout the entire year.

[pianoman9701]

So far, the response to this has been much as I expected. Although many feel that increased ethics and awareness would be called for, many are not willing to open the door to more regs.

[JLS]

Fish,

I agree rifle hunters can be just as big of idiots.  I want to police my own sport.  I have taken a bow ed class (required in MT) and it was very educational and informative.  I was glad I took it.  I would fully support the same class here.

It is amazing how many people take up archery for whatever reason, and know absolutely nothing about their equipment or the nuances of bowhunting.

[JimmyHoffa]

well to be brutally honest i think everyone should have to go through a course that is a little more demanding than hunter ed, because i have ran into some real fricken whack jobs in my time in the woods bow hunters and rifle hunters alike, i have seen a few deer and one elk with arrows sticken in them but i have also shot a couple deer and found old bullets in them, what i wish for is a common sense course that you should have to go through every couple 2 or 3 years no pass no hunt, but it should only be administerd to people over the age of 18, youth wouldnt have to take the course until they turn 18..

Have you been reading my mind?  Every year during hunting season (especially during modern--even more especially during late buck) I have this very same plan come to mind.

If anybody wants to see what actually goes on during modern season, go hang out at the sporting goods counter of your local walmart the night before opening day. You would be amazed at the amount of people that come in for a tag, a box of ammo, and to have their rifle boresighted. These are the same guys who think that if they hit an animal with a bullet, that animal will drop in his tracks. .

What's even scarier than wally world is to go to a gun range on the weekend before the opener.

Overall, I think a course for bowhunting would be a good idea, not sure about the mandatory part.  Safety courses yes, but ethics/educational courses..maybe make an incentive to taking them.  Reduced license?  Special tags available?  Extra season?