Bowhunter Education

Who Needs Bowhunter Education?

Bowhunter Education is currently not required to purchase a bowhunting license from the State of Alabama.  Proof of a bowhunter education certificate is mandatory in some or all geographical areas or special circumstances apply to obtaining a bowhunting license in the following states and Provinces: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont and in the Canadian Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Quebec.

A hunter safety class is required in Alabama if you were born after August 1, 1977.

What is Bowhunter Education?

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 as well as other international locations. 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.

Alabama has adopted the NBEF program of bowhunter education in cooperation with the Bowhunters of Alabama.  This internationally accepted course teaches bowhunters to be ethical, considerate, humane and safe.  Topics include: hunter ethics, treestand safety, shot placement, shot selection and blood trailing. 

How Do I Obtain The Bowhunter Education Certification?

We currently offer two methods for students to obtain Bowhunter Education. The first method is to attend a class offered by a volunteer instructor. Classes are a minimum of ten hours in length and you must attend all of the sessions to gain certification.  Contact the individual listed below for more information about this type of Bowhunter Education class.

The second method is by independent study through the internet and completing the course by taking a practical. This two part process involves the student using a computer linked to the world wide web and going to a web based on-line course to study.  The second part is a practical. The knowledge based part of the course is completed on your own time at your own schedule.  A schedule of the practical portion of the certification process will be provided below when it is available along with contact information.  The web course is offered in conjunction with the National Bowhunter Education Foundation.  There is a fee for the web based course and an additional fee of $15 for the practical portion of the certification process taught by certified Bowhunter Education volunteer instructors. We do not recommend this form of training for students under 14 years of age and suggest they participate in a class as indicated above.  Students under 14 may have a higher failure rate and are better served by attending a class where they receive instruction from certified instructors.

The "practical" portion is required. A student wishing to gain certification, using the internet option, will be required to attend and successfully complete a practical. It will require a minimum of 4 hours of testing and instruction supervised by a certified volunteer instructor. During the practical all students must demonstrate that they possess the knowledge and skills necessary to gain certification.

STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO REGISTER FOR OR ATTEND A PRACTICAL UNLESS THEY HAVE COMPLETED THE WEB-BASED PORTION OF THE COURSE FIRST.

IMPORTANT - - - At a practical:

1. Students must present to their instructor at the start of the practical (as evidence of completion), a hard copy of certification of completion from the NBEF web course showing they have completed the course.
2. Students will have to pass with a minimum of 85% a comprehensive written examination on the knowledge obtained from the web course.
3. They must successfully participate in practical testing and the demonstration of bow & arrow safety and hunting skills under the supervision of a certified instructor to complete the certification process. This normally occurs outside, in actual hunting type areas and students should dress accordingly. Check with the instructors to see if they want you to bring bowhunting equipment to use during the field day.

To participate in the Independent Study program and take the knowledge part of the course on the world wide web (internet) please click here. Remember to bookmark or in some manner save the address of the web page to ensure that you can return to the course if you are unable to complete it in one session.

The following information is a list of upcoming practical locations:

For Further information contact:

Johnny Gottler
Alabama Chairman, National Bowhunter Education Foundation
11120 Rose Road
Elberta, AL 36530
251-986-8347
jagranch@gulftel.com