Bowhunter Education Program
Bowhunting is a challenging sport! This type of hunting is done at a much closer range and requires a high degree of stealth, perseverance, patience and effort. Bowhunters must become adept at scouting, tracking and recovering game. Bowhunters must master new archery techniques and learn the anatomy and behavior of the game. Before attempting to use archery equipment as a hunting tool, each bowhunter should become a proficient archer. This requires dedication, practice and good distance-judging ability.
Maryland has adopted the National Bowhunter Education Foundation's (NBEF) International Bowhunter Education Program which is acknowledged and accepted worldwide. Although Maryland's bowhunter education program is voluntary and a bowhunter education certificate is not currently required in order to bowhunt in this state, numerous other states and certain federal properties do require a bowhunter education certificate from a course approved by NBEF in order to bowhunt. Please remember that bowhunter education certification does not substitute for Maryland Hunter Education Certification.
This is an advanced class and it is recommended that persons taking this class have experience hunting or have taken a hunter education class. The course is presented in two parts. The first part requires you to complete an online course and qualifier examination presented by the IBEP. Upon completion of the Internet course, you will be issued a Field Day Qualifier Voucher. This voucher will allow you to sign up for and attend a one-day Field/Testing Day. The field day includes:
A classroom discussion concerning:
Safety, Ethics and Responsibility
Tree Stand Safety
Archery Equipment
Blood Trailing and Sign
Shooting Technique
Maryland Specific Information Field exercises including:
Distance judging
Tree Stand safety
blood trailing and sign Testing
Shooting proficiency
50 question multiple choice exam
Upon satisfactory completion of the Field/Testing Day, you will be issued your NBEF/IBEP official card of certification.IMPORTANT INFORMATION
You may work through the Internet course and practice tests free of charge.
There is a moderate fee to take the online qualifier exam.
The Field Day Qualifier Voucher is valid for attending a Field Day up to 365 days after issue of the voucher.
Upon receipt of your Field Day Qualifier Voucher you may register for one of the field/testing days listed below.
There may be a fee of up to $6.00 for the Field/Testing Day Program. This fee is to cover out of pocket expensed incurred by the teaching team.
You must present your Field Day Qualifier Voucher upon arrival at the Field/Testing Day program. A photo ID may also be required.
You will be required to demonstrate proficiency with your bow. The proficiency requirement is 3 out of 5 shots
hitting the vitals of a 3-D deer target between 10 and 27 yards. At the discretion of the instructor,
you may attempt the proficiency a second time the day of the class and, again at the discretion of the instructor,
may return on another day to complete the proficiency requirement.While instructors will be glad to assist you with your shooting technique and help correct minor shooting problems,
we strongly recommend that you be proficient with your bow before attending the Field/Testing Day. Working with a
professional bow technician to make certain that your equipment fits you and is properly tuned, is an investment that
you should make before attending the Field/Testing day if you are inexperienced or your shooting is inconsistent.GO TO THE NBEF INTERNET BOWHUNTER EDUCATION COURSE WEBSITE.
2009 MARYLAND FIELD/TESTING DAY LISTING
County
Location
Course dates
Phone
Contact
Time
Notes
CA
First Baptist Church of Calvert County
August 1, 2009
8:30am to 2:30pm
Rich Walker
8:30am to 2:30pm
German Chapel Road and Route 4
$10.00
CH
St. Charles Sportsman’s Club
Saturday, April 11, 2009
(301) 609-9586
Joe Novak
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm
$10.00
CH
St. Charles Sportsman’s Club
August 15, 2009
(301) 609-9586
Joe Novak
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm
$10.00
FR
Frederick County IWLA
June 27, 2009
301-473-7210
Ben Kelkye
8:00 am
< 12 yrs. old must be accompanied by an adult
$10.00
FR
Frederick County IWLA August 8, 2009
301-473-7210
Ben Kelkye
8:00 am
<12 yrs. old must be accompanied by an adult
$10.00
HO
Dayton Rod & Gun Club
August 8, 2009
410-789-8764
Frank Hall
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
To register, visit the Dayton Rod & Gun Club website at www.daytonrodgunclub.com
$10.00
PG
William S. Schmidt Outdoor Center
May 13, 2009
(301) 452-1750
Rich Walker
5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
$10.00
PG
William S. Schmidt Outdoor Center
July 22, 2009
(301) 452-1750
Rich Walker
5:30pm to 9:30pm
$10.00
This page updated on February 23, 2009