Arkansas Bowhunters Association

Site Navigation Menu:

Arkansas Instructors:

Tom White	870.367.0614
Chet Hanson	501.602.3337
Jeff Hall	501.967.9760
Keith deNoble	501.224.3366
Mark Ice	501.267.4510
Clyde Hall	501.967.9760
Jim Estes	870.426.5235
Roger Patton	870.741.6920
Lance Rochelle	501.843.4600
Greg Whitaker	870.367.0136
Clarence Taylor	501.329.3732

Some Hunting Statistics:

Total U.S. licensed hunters (all types of sporting arms) is over 14 million.
36% of all licensed U.S. hunters (all weapons) hunted with a bow at least once in the last two years.
57% of all bowhunting takes place on private land.
94% of bowhunters hunted either whitetail deer or mule deer.
Active bowhunters hunt with a bow an average of 19 days per year.

These were taken from the report from Responsive Management, "Bowhunting in the U.S., Results of a Recent Study."

Int'l Bowhunter Education Program...

2009 IBEP Class Schedule

Mission Statement:

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.

Background Information:

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.)

The Bowhunters Creed:

I firmly resolve, without reservation, to uphold the following bowhunting principles:

I will support the national, state, and provincial regulatory agencies and conservation organizations in the propagation and management of all game.
I will, at all times, actively support and promote hunting with the bow.
I will abide by current game regulations and at all times conduct myself as a sportsman so as not to bring discredit to the bowhunting community.
I will respect all landowners’ rights.
I will assist all bowhunters in locating places to hunt, but I will not impose myself knowingly on another bowhunter.
I will enjoy the challenge of the hunt and will study the habits of the game I hunt.
I will use legal archery equipment and will search long and diligently to track down and recover any wounded game.
I will not undertake or commit any act that could be considered as detrimental to the ancient and honorable art of bowhunting.

Designed & Maintained by Billy Collins

The ABA is dedicated to protecting and preserving the sport of bowhunting.

Please click HERE for a membership app. or HERE for a business partner app.