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Wednesday, 28 July 2010 19:23 |
“Promoting responsible bowhunting through education”In a meeting with members of the BOU board on June 13, the Division of Wildlife Resources unveiled innovations in Utah’s bowhunter education program.
There are 3 types of bowhunter education in Utah. First, there’s a brief overview included in the mandatory hunter education program. Second, there’s an online ethics course that’s prerequisite for bowhunters who want to hunt in Utah’s extended areas. Neither of these programs is affected by changes to the third program - the NBEF bowhunter education program administered in Utah by the DWR.
Completion of the NBEF course is mandatory for all bowhunters in a number of states, but Utah isn’t one of them. Still, the course is valuable and important. Not only can it reduce wounding rates and improve bowhunter success, but it’s an enjoyable and informative course for both novice bowhunters and experienced veterans of the sport.
In the past, the program has gathered approximately 150 instructors in the state. Yet course offerings have been sporadic or even non-existent in some areas. And while many of the existing certified instructors (including several members of BOU) have been highly qualified and passionate about promoting bowhunting, other certified instructors have had little or no experience as bowhunters.
To improve access to quality instruction, the DWR has voided all existing instructor certifications and set new minimal requirements for future instructors:
- All instructors must recertify.
- Instructors must pass the new NBEF “distance learning” online course before attending instructor training.
- Instructors must pass a criminal background check.
- Instructors must have a minimum of 3 years bowhunting experience.
- Instructors must offer or assist in at least one course each year.
- Instructors must attend 2 program semiUtah/NBEF Bowhunter Education
We strongly encourage qualified bowhunters to support this new program by becoming certified NBEF instructors and by encouraging others in your area of the state to do likewise. The DWR will provide local training sessions. For more information and to apply to become an instructor, visit the DWR website. If you have other questions or concerns, feel free to contact
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, BOU Bowhunter Education specialist.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 July 2010 19:30 |
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