International Bowhunters Education Program

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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.

Master Instructors Tom White State Chairman (870) 367-0614 Lance Rochelle (501) 804-9172 Greg Whitaker (870) 460-5689 Arkansas Instructors Jeff Smith (870) 540-6385 Barry Connell (870) 480-6106 Clarence Taylor (501) 514-0806 Jim Myers (870) 374-0134 Glenn Jolley (479) 847-0379 Glenn Norris (501) 960-5509 Mike Rossie (501) 470-1194 Billy Higginbotham (501) 843-8738 Eric DeVries (501) 351-4360 Linda Goodner (870) 912-4355 Laura Rogers (870) 818-6378 Toby Seaman (501) 747-1788

Some Hunting Statistics 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.

Background Information

• 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."