DATES FOR 2023

March 19

August 19

The International Bowhunter Education Program

INTRO

The International Bowhunter Education Program class (IBEP) is a product of the NATIONAL BOWHUNTER EDUCATION FOUNDATION (NBEF); it is available in all 50 States, all Canadian Provinces, and 13 foreign countries. This class is mandatory in 14 states, Nova Scotia and Quebec; it is not mandatory in the state of California at this time. You will find that it is mandatory to many of your favorite hunting states and it is good hunter planning to add this class to your resume. A list of mandatory states is inside the front cover of the student manual.

Often an opportunity to attend a special hunt will come your way and to your demise, you will find that it will be mandatory for you to provide evidence of an IBEP card in order to bow hunt that particular state. Classes are limited and many a hunt has been missed because the bow hunter did not plan far enough in advance to attend this class.

The IBEP class provided at the Angeles Shooting Range is a Field Day Class that works with the NBEF/IBEP on-line Distance Learning Program. This online course takes about 13 hours to complete – so it is suggested that you contact the NBEF -(www.nbef.org)- at least one month before class to have ample time for completion before attending the Field Day. There is a cost ($40.00) for the online course (paid to the NBEF) and a cost of $25.00 for the Field Day (paid upon registration for the Field Day class). Upon completion of the online course, you will print out a voucher that you must bring to the Field Day and present to the Instructor.

Class is held at the Angeles Shooting Ranges – Classroom (located on the Silhouette Club Range), assuming there are enough students to warrant a class. The outdoor portion takes place in nearby open space within walking distance of the classroom.

There is a California test (50 questions) at the completion of the Field Day – a score of 80% is required for passing (2 points per question) and results are sent to the California Department of Fish and Game/Hunter Education division. The IBEP card you receive upon completion is good for life and is accepted in all 50 states and 17 foreign countries, anywhere mandatory Bowhunter Education is required.

To register for the IBEP class at the Angeles Shooting Range you fill out the registration form which will contact Mariano Garde at vonxulu@yahoo.com. Or feel free to call or text at (805) 795-6916. You will be asked for your…

Date of Birth
Zip Code
Phone Number
Email Address

Why is the IBEP needed? Although there is some similarity between Hunter Education and Bow Hunter Education there is also some vast differences. Hunter Education is a Safety Course designed to provide safe and responsible firearm use. Hunters who use firearms have a muzzle control issue that requires specialized knowledge to provide a safe hunting experience in the field. The bow is not carried with a round in the chamber and cannot be carried at full draw, so our safety issue is a much smaller part of the hunting experience.

On the other hand, bow hunting is a very short range experience that requires advanced hunting knowledge, patience and a whole new understanding of shot placement, animal behavior, game recovery and yes a difference in safety issues. This knowledge normally takes a minimum of four to five years of hard hunting to acquire.

Studies show that graduates of the IBEP course tend to be 25% to 30% more successful than those who have not taken this course. Once you experience the difficulties involved in the art/craft of hunting with a bow and arrow you will see that being an IBEP graduate is a definite advantage in the field.

The IBEP course is a solid course in the broad basics of hunting with a bow and arrow; rifle hunters, wildlife photographers, crossbow hunters and those going into the wildlife enforcement field often seek it out for the specific knowledge it presents.

THE ONLINE COURSE OVERVIEW

Chapter one covers the history and development of modern bowhunting along with the benefits, challenges and motivations of the bowhunter.

Chapter two covers wildlife management, conservation principals management practices, habitat management and the hunters role in conservation.

Chapter three is our safe and responsible bowhunting portion that discusses safety issues specific to archery and bowhunting, personal ethics of our sport along with the responsibilities a bowhunter has toward game, game managers, the public and land owner relations.

Chapter four gets you acquainted with bow types (modern compounds, recurves, longbows and primitive bows) arrows and arrow selection and other essential and optional items.

Chapter five covers the requisite preparations one must make before the hunt. This includes dressing well for weather, the basics of shooting the bow, specialized practice for the hunter, distance judging, study of the quarry and area scouting.

Chapter six discusses specific bowhunting techniques including the use of elevated stands, still hunting, glassing, stalking, ground blinds, lures and cover scents, game calls and bow fishing.

Chapter seven is our hunting portion and covers shot placement and game recovery. How a broadhead actually harvests game, shot strategy, how shots go wrong and recovery of game after the shot, field dressing and transporting downed game.

Chapter eight prepares you for hazards of hunting, basic first aid that relates to the more common accidents specific to bowhunters, survival techniques/kit, psychological problems of being lost and dealing with the three most dangerous types of exposure.

THE FIELD DAY OVERVIEW

Discussion: California Hunting Regulations.
Discussion: Equipment Setup; Compound, Recurve, Longbow/Self Bow
Discussion: Personal Effective Shooting Range Includes 3-D course involving hunting setups.
Discussion: Demonstration/examination of actual deer habitat, sign, trails, includes rut phases, Scouting, and hunting techniques.
Discussion: Demonstration, Treestand placement for effective hunting, tree stand safety and tree stand choices.
Discussion: Hunting Technique, Tree Stand, Ground Blind, Spot n Stalk, Still Hunting, Professional Glassing.
Discussion: Shot Placement & Recovery Techniques plus Field Dressing.
Discussion: Bowhunting Dangers, First Aid, Survival, and a brief on map & compass.
Completion of California exam: Approximately 30 minutes.
All in all, a very strong and solid course in the broad basics of the most endearing close encounter sportsman has dedicated himself to as far back as the known beginning of today’s homo sapien.

Should you need further information please contact Mariano Garde at vonxulu@yahoo.com or (805) 795-6916.
We look forward to having you in class. See you there!

Sincerely,

Mariano Garde,  Master Instructor
Southern California IBEP Chairman
NBEF Western Region Coordinator

Life is Better Outdoors