Lamprey River Bowhunters sponsored a IBEP program last weekend. The class had 30 students in it. They took this comprehensive course that ran from 8am to 5pm at the club house of this archery orientated organization.

From archery history to the final dressing of game this course is a comprehensive class in bowhunting safety.  Now why am I writing this?  Because in this state if you want to bowhunt you MUST either have a previous archery license from any year or any state OR this course. This course primarily focuses on bowhunting safety and all the main points on how to avoid accidents and hunt in an ethical way. There are many aspects and subjects that must be covered along with outside demonstrations and on hand techniques to safely and legally take an animal in this state or any other.

This course that was endorsed and sponsored by many archery clubs and archery manufacturers is one that has been evolving since 1979. Originally set up by Bill Wadsworth a passionate bowhunter and outdoorsman to encompass the ethics and safety of this ancient sport. Bill and his foresight sought to get the whole message of every aspect of bowhunting to the new comer and the seasoned hunter alike. His brain child and his involvement to make bowhunting a legitimate tool for the harvesting of game with the safety need to protect the environment         and the hunter and others also.

All aspects of equipment, tree stand methods and even into First aid and the survival skills are taught and shown with hands on experience and even a test at the end of this all day event.

Why do I mention this now?  Because Fall is fast approaching and before you know it Sept 15 will be here before you know it. Now is the time to ask your local sportsman club if they are going to have one. Call the NH Fish and Wildlife in Concord to see if they have a list of up coming classes that are held in this state. The IBEP is an international organization that is recognized by most countries. So if you plan to hunt out west or in Canada or other countries check with them to see if you need to have completed this program. Some do.

I personally endorse the IBEP and all it stands for. Whether you shoot a compound, a recurve, a crossbow or a longbow you will learn how to do it safely, ethically and with a good amount of satisfaction in promoting bowhunting in a positive light to the non hunting public.

Bow hunting and everything that it means to me and all the history and glamour of the sport, from Fred Bear, to Ben Pearson and the great shooters of the past we owe it to the game we pursue and the future of bowhunting to be the safest we can be. This course does just that.

The founder of Saunders Archery, Chuck Saunders once said and used as a marketing banner, that Bow hunting Safety is up to “ME, YOU, and US” He was right. Fred Bear in a one on one conversation with me told me to” teach the youth and pass this sport on.” That I am trying to fulfill every day and every way I can. So now I leave it up to you to take the course, give the youth an example, take a kid hunting or fishing. If not you,who? If not now,when? 

As we lose our hunting rights to condos, trailer parks and the creeping of the big cities into the flora and fauna of the country side do we have a say? I think we do. How? Well first of all is to introduce the shooting sports into the youth and save them land to enjoy and make sure they have the ethics and skills and safety to carry the outdoor traditions to another generation.