The International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP) is a program designed and administered by the National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) to train bowhunters throughout North America and internationally. The ultimate goal of the IBEP is to provide bowhunters, both experienced and new, with the basic fundamentals of good, safe bowhunting while maintaining the highest ethical standards in the sport. The immediate objective is to instill in all bowhunters a responsible attitude and to adopt and follow acceptable behavior towards people, wildlife and the environment in which they hunt.

The fundamentals and principles of the IBEP course were established in 1967. In 1969 the National Field Archery Association (NFAA) adopted these ideas and by 1979 the NBEF was formed. The belief was then, and remains today, that The future of bowhunting depends upon effective and successful bowhunter education.

The class has approximately 10 hours of interactive classroom study and 3 hours of practical field training, The course is taught by instructors with a minimum of 3 years of hunting experience, however, the vast majority have 10 years or more. This class is currently required to bowhunt in 16 states and many foreign countries and the number is growing.

Typical Class Agenda:

• Why you want to be a bowhunter
• Ecological Constraints (Habitat requirements, carrying capacity, management tools, etc.)
• Sociological Considerations (conduct not approved by others, reasons for approval, etc.)
• Preparing for the Hunt (adequate equipment, scouting, planning, shooting form, practice, etc.)
• Hunting Effectively (sharpening broadheads, game anatomy, how an arrow works, etc.)
• The Hunt (hunting methods, game recovery, tracking, care of game, etc.)
• Hunting Safety (hazards, first aid, hypothermia, survival, map and compass, etc.)
• Field Experience (matching equipment, tree stands, judging distance, following trails, etc.)

For more information contact:

National Bowhunter Education Foundation
E-Mail: nbef@binet.net