Bowhunter Education Program
Bow hunting 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. Bow hunters must become adept at scouting, tracking and recovering game. Bow hunters 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 bow hunter should become a proficient archer. This requires dedication, practice and good distance-judging ability.
Although Maryland's bow hunter education program is voluntary and a bow hunter education certificate is not currently required in order to bow hunt in this state, numerous other states and certain federal or county properties do require a bow hunter education certificate from a course approved by NBEF in order to bow hunt. Please remember that bow hunter 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 a minimum of eight hours, which includes; classroom instruction in safety, ethics, and responsibility, Tree Stand safety, archery equipment, and a 50 question multiple choice test. The field testing includes:
Field exercises including:
- Distance judging
- Tree Stand Safety
- Blood Trailing and Sign
- Shooting Technique
- Maryland Specific Information
Testing
50 question multiple choice exam (80% to pass and must be recommended by the instructor)
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 class. 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 class if you are inexperienced or your shooting is inconsistent.
Costs
There may be a fee of up to $10.00 per student for this program. This fee is to cover out of pocket expensed incurred by the teaching team.
Registration
Pre registration is required. Please select from the classes listed below.
2010 MARYLAND FIELD/TESTING DAY LISTING
There are currently no Field Testing Days scheduled.
This page updated on March 2, 2010