From the NBEF/IBEP Director

 

In the spring issue FLIGHT, I reported that SGT David Dodson, State Hunter Education Coordinator for the VDGIF, had volunteered to assume the role of IBEP coordinator for the Commonwealth of Virginia.  I mentioned that a core cadre of IBEP instructors would be developed from the current population of the VDGIFs certified Hunter Safety instructors from around the state.  Once a sufficient number of Hunter Safety instructors have also been cross trained as IBEP instructors, these individuals will serve as the lead instructors

for IBEP classes across the state.

 

I’m very pleased to report that this initiative is moving forward!  This Sept. the first IBEP Instructor Class was held at the Holiday Lake Education Center (near Appomattox, VA), with new IBEP instructors from various areas around the state (Virginia Beach, Stafford, Woodbridge, Bastian, Fredericksburg, Meadowstown, Aylett, Clearbrook, Indian Valley, Wirtz, Saltville, Oakwood, Stuarts Draft, Powhatan, to name a few) being trained and certified.  These instructors are the first of many more, as the VDGIF continues to expand this program over the next several years.

 

So where should you go if you want to see if an IBEP class can be scheduled in your area?  Sgt. Dodson indicated that archers should contact the appropriate regional hunter education coordinators if they need a class.  A list of regional offices and contact numbers can be found on the internet at: www.dgif.virginia.gov/about/offices.asp.  The regional coordinators have a list of instructors to call on and can assist you in getting in contact with an IBEP instructor.  There have already been a few classes scheduled and

conducted.  As more become available, they can be found at the VDGIF web site:  www.gov/ClassSchedule/ClassSearch.aspx.

 

VDGIF Bowhunter Education Course/Instructors

 

As some of us are both hunter and bowbunter education instructors, we know that many hunters are only vaguely aware of what bowhunter education is.  Although there is a bit of subject overlap in the two courses, they are sufficiently different in their focus that a hunter who wants to be successful harvesting game should seriously consider completing both courses.

 

In Virginia as in most states, hunter education is required and not required for Bowhunters.  We annually graduate several thousand students compared to the number of students from bowhunter education.  Hunter education teaches hunter safety while bowhunter education teaches hunting skills.

 

Although both classes are 10-12 hours long, our courses begins with the “History of Bowhunting”, describing the roots of our 25,000 year old sport.  The fundamental difference between bowhunting and hunting with a modern firearm, we stress that Bowhunters must get so close as to penetrate a game animal’s zone of defenses, smell, hearing and sight, before loosing an ethical arrow.  Any mistake on the part of the bowhunter and the animal can sense it and it done.  Bowhunting puts the hunter and the animal together on a much more intimate filed, matching wits and skill more closely than with any other hunting method.

 

Both courses covers conservation, but bowhunting also introduces the potential for game damage control within the urban communities.  The National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) has developed a booklet called “Guide to Urban Bowhunting”.  This guide describes the rationales and information for Bowhunters and the community leaders to develop an urban bowhunting program if deer or other dame are too numerous and causing damage within the boundaries of an urban community.

 

Other topic that is discussed is big game anatomy using a silhouette of a deer pointing out the liver, lungs, heart and front legs.  We ask students to place one of the organs into the correct position on the deer.  This exercise reveals the students’ knowledge of the orientation of major organs.  Another topic is ‘knowing your distances’ and how far can I shoot safely for the arrow will pass cleanly through the vital organs.

 

Bowhunting is a waiting game.  Waiting for the game to appear, waiting for the right shot and waiting after the shot before tracking the game.  How shots go wrong, which may be due to poor shot angles, shooting when the animal is alert and aware of you presence, shooting beyond your effective range, muscle fatigue, not focusing upon a spot or poor light conditions, missing the twigs, tree limbs and even other game between the hunter and the game that can actually deflect an arrow or even result in wounding the game.

 

We discuss preparing for the hunt such as selecting the proper clothing, scouting, preparing a hunting plan, learning how to use a map and compass, what to put in your survival and first aid kits and studying the game that you intend to hunt.

 

Ethics is an important aspect of the bowhunter education course.  Who we are as a responsible?  What if, an arrow passes completely through the animal and kills a second animal behind it?  We emphasize the role Bowhunters play in game management and avoiding moral arguments.

 

Our field exercises include blood trailing.  Students learn how to spot blood droplets, to look under leaves and to identify blood on different surfaces like rocks, logs and leaves to recover their game.  We conduct scouting exercises that includes elk or deer droppings (chocolate-covered raisings) and tracks made with preserved deer and elk feet.  We set up treestands just two feet off the ground, to emphasize treestand safety and other hunting methods like driving, spot-and-stalk, still-hunting and ground blinds.  We demonstrate the use of everyone wearing the four point safety harness to avoid treestand fatalities.

 

Bowhunting is different, but the skills are often as important to modern firearm hunters as they are to the Bowhunters.

 

So, the question is?  How many archers and Bowhunters have taken the IBEP course?

 

VBA International Bowhunters Education Program

2011 Training Schedules

 

(Training dates will be announced as they become available)

What’s the purpose of Bowhunter Education?

Thinking of archery hunting on Fort Belvoir this year?  How about Alaska, Montana or Quebec?  If so, you must successfully complete the International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP) course!  The course is designed to provide bowhunters with the basic fundamentals of good, safe bowhunting while maintaining the highest ethical standards in the sport. It instills a responsible attitude and to adopt and follow acceptable behavior towards people, wildlife and the environment in which they hunt.  It is also mandatory to hunt on Fort Belvoir, as well as some 14 states and most of the Canadian provinces!  However, it does not replace the Virginia requirement for first time hunters and hunters 12 to 15 years of age to complete a Virginia Hunter Education course before buying a hunting license.

What will I learn?

Course content includes the following major areas:

·        Becoming a Responsible Bowhunter

·        Preparing for the Hunt

·        Big Game Anatomy and Effective Shot Placement

·        Hunting Methods and Techniques

·        Survival and First Aid

·        Map and Compass Basics

·        Distance Estimation

·        Care, Use and Shooting of Bowhunting Equipment

·        Treestand Use and Safety

·        Big Game Recovery and Care

Classroom teaching aids include 3D models and anatomy flip charts to reinforce shot placement concepts. Teaching methods include videos, demonstrations, group discussion and hands on instruction. There is also a field exercise include that simulates blood trailing. 

When and where are the IBEP course taught?

Classes are scheduled to be taught on five dates: Saturday, July 18; Saturday, August 15; Saturday, September 5; Sunday, October 18 and Sunday, November 22.  All classes will be taught at the Outdoor Recreation Building (Bldg #778), Archery Center, Tompkins Basin Area, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5932.  The course is taught in one eight-hour day.  Class starts at 8:00 AM sharp and ends at 5:00 PM.  Students are given one hour off for lunch and can purchase food on the base or bring their own and eat at their desk. 

Who can take the IBEP course?

This class is open to anyone interested in learning more about bowhunting and safety.  It includes both experienced archers and novices.  Young adults are welcomed and encouraged to attend, but must be at least 11 years old to enroll in a course. There is no maximum age for enrollment. Parents are encouraged to attend the course with their children. 

How do I sign up?

You can register for a course by going by the Archery Center, located in Bldg #778, Tompkins Basin Area of Fort Belvoir, or by calling (703) 805-3688.   The cost of the course is $13.00 and covers the expense of student materials used during the course.  Enrollment is limited to 40 students per course, and filled on a first come/first served basis. However, you must pay your full course cost in order to reserve your seat in a course.  The course will be cancelled if there are fewer than 10 paid students one week prior to the class date; however, once the class minimum number is met, additional students may walk in and register the day of the course until the maximum class size of 40 students is reached.  

How Do I Get To Fort Belvoir?

From Interstate 95, take exit take the Fairfax Parkway/Backlick Road (7100) exit 166 A (if traveling South on I-95) or exit 166 B (if traveling North on I-95). Take the Fairfax County Parkway to its end at U.S. Rt. 1 (Richmond Highway.) Turn left. At the first light, on the right, is the entrance for Tulley Gate on to Fort Belvoir. All visitors to Fort Belvoir without DOD decals on their vehicles must use Tulley Gate.  It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Where Can I Get More Information?

Additional information can be obtained by calling the Archery Center at (703) 805-3688.

VBA NBEF/IBEP Instructors

This is a joint venture between the VDGIF and VBA.  Candidates must be 18 years of age or older, have three years of bowhunting experience, a current paid VBA member, completed an IBEP instructor certification class, pass a background investigation and received the approval by VDGIF, work under the supervision of a Regional Coordinator, completed apprenticeship training, teach a minimum of one (1) class per year and completed Advance Training as required.  See Club News for more details.

 

Archery Education Classes

VBA ASAP Program

The After School Archery Program (ASAP) and Summer Archery training program(s) are available by contacting Jerry Wenzel for information and details @540.854.0245 or mandjw@mindspring.com. 

The ASAP equipment is available to any club that has a certified instructor or wants to be certified as a Level I and 2 instructor and wants to form an ASAP club.

‘Beginner and Advance Archery’ training classes are also taught by Paul Vogel.  For more information, contact Paul at (703) 930.5649 (C) or rvogel7@verizon.net.

NBEF/IBEP Organizations and Affiliations

 

Fairfax County Archery Program

 

Vicky Monroe, Fairfax County Wildlife Biologist has implemented a Deer Management Program in Fairfax County, Virginia, and has been very successful.  If you would like more information regarding this program, visit their website at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/animals/wildlife/archery/archery-program.htm.

 

About the “Fairfax County Archery Program” – click here

 

About the “Action Timeline for upcoming Archery Programs – click here