The International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP)
Bill Wadsworth and the History of Bowhunter Education
Why Bowhunter Education
How Bowhunter Education Is Funded
Bowhunter's Resource Directory
Unit 2: Understanding Wildlife
Topic 1: Wildlife Conservation
Conservation and Preservation
Lessons in Wildlife Management
The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation
Habitat Management
Carrying Capacity
The Hunter's Role in Wildlife Conservation
Wildlife Diseases
Topic 2: Wildlife Management and Conservation Principles
The Wildlife Manager's Role
Wildlife Management Practices
Beneficial Habitat Management Practices
Topic 3: Wildlife Identification
Developing Wildlife Identification Skills
Identifying Types of Deer
Unit 3: Safe and Responsible Bowhunting
Topic 1: Archery and Bowhunting Safety
Archery Safety
Bowhunting Safety
Think Safety Checklist
Topic 2: Responsible Bowhunting
What Does Responsibility Mean for the Bowhunter?
Bowhunting Regulations
Know the Law
Ethics
Topic 3: Responsible Bowhunters Show Respect
Know and Respect Your Personal Limitations
Respect Your Equipment
Respect the Landowner
Respect Game Animals and Resources
Respect Your Hunting Companions
Respect Non-Hunters
Topic 4: Bowhunting's Public Image
Speaking and Acting Responsibly
Positive Actions by Responsible Bowhunters
The Bowhunter's Creed
Unit 4: Know Your Bow and Arrow
Topic 1: The Bow
Bows Are Short-Range Hunting Tools
Bow Selection
Dominant or Master Eye
Topic 2: Types of Bows
The Longbow
The Recurve Bow
The Compound Bow
Topic 3: The Arrow
The Shaft
Fletching
The Nock and the String Loop
Topic 4: Arrow Points
Types of Arrow Points
Broadheads
Types of Broadheads
Topic 5: Matching Arrows With Your Bow
Importance of Matching Arrows to Your Bow
Spine and Archer's Paradox
Arrow Shaft Length and Labeling
Checking Alignment
Topic 6: Accessories
Accessories
More Accessories
Topic 7: Bowhunting Equipment Review
Video: Gearing Up
Unit 5: Preparation Before the Hunt
Topic 1: The Well-Dressed Bowhunter
Clothing Selection Is Critical
Staying Warm in Cold Weather
Staying Dry in Wet Weather
The Invisible Bowhunter
Topic 2: Bow Shooting Basics
Six Basic Steps for Shooting
Video: Archery Practice
Bow-Shooting Errors
Basic Target Practice
Topic 3: Perfecting Your Archery Skills
Sighting-In
Advanced Archery Practice for the Hunt
Stump Shooting and Yukon Roving
Topic 4: Judging Distances
Distance Judging Is Critical for Shot Placement
Distance Judging Methods
Actual Distance Judging Exercise
Topic 5: Preparing to Hunt Your Quarry
Study Your Quarry
Scout the Hunting Area
Unit 6: Crossbows
Topic 1: Know Your Crossbow and Arrows
Background
Comparing a Conventional Bow to a Crossbow
Parts of a Crossbow
Recurve vs. Compound Crossbow
Arrows
Broadheads
Topic 2: Cocking Devices
Manual Cocking
The Need for Cocking Aids
Cocking Harness
Hand Cranks
Uncocking a Crossbow
Topic 3: Other Accessories
Quivers
Sight Systems
Topic 4: Crossbow Shooting
Preparing to Shoot
Sighting-In Your Crossbow
Centering the Crossbow String's Center Serving Area
Cocking the Crossbow
Holding the Crossbow
Aiming With Sights
Shooting the Crossbow
Crossbow Hunting From an Elevated Stand
Video: Crossbow Safety
Range Requirements
Unit 7: Methods of Bowhunting
Topic 1: Ways to Bowhunt
Video: Bowhunting Methods
Topic 2: Ground Bowhunting Methods
Still Hunting, Stalking, and Glassing
Ground Blinds
Pit Blinds
Topic 3: Hunting From Elevated Stands
Introduction to Elevated Stands
Types of Portable Tree Stands
Portable Tree Stands: Hang-On Stands
Portable Tree Stands: Climbing Stands
Portable Tree Stands: Ladder Stands
Tripods, Quadpods, or Tower Stands (Free-Standing)
Judging Distances From Elevated Stands
Topic 4: Elevated Stand Safety
Protect Against Accidental Falls
Tree Stand Safety Study
Inspecting and Preparing Stands
Selecting a Stand Location
Video: Preparing to Hunt From a Tree Stand
Fall-Arrest Systems (FASs)
Video: Hunting From a Tree Stand
Hauling Hunting Equipment Into a Stand
Tree Stand Rope Safety System
Hunting Saddles
Topic 5: Scents, Lures, Game Calls, and Decoys
Scents and Lures
White-Tailed Deer Tips
Game Calls
Decoys
Topic 6: Bowfishing
Bowfishing Overview
Bowfishing Equipment
Unit 8: Shot Placement and Recovery Techniques
Topic 1: Shot Impact
How Arrows and Bullets Differ
How a Broadhead Causes Death
Sharp Broadheads Are Essential
Topic 2: Shot Placement
Proper Shot Placement Is Critical
Chest Cavity: The Main Vital Area
Video: Locating the Vital Area
Abdominal Cavity
Shots Outside the Main Body Cavities
Spine Shots
Special Situation: Large Bears
Topic 3: Shot Strategy
Plan and Practice Your Shot Strategy
Ethical Hunting and the Risks of Long Shots
Animation: Choosing the Proper Shot Angle
Consider Your Location
Video: Taking Effective Shots
Topic 4: Choose the Proper Shot Angle
Shot Angles: Broadside
Shot Angles: Quartering-Away
Shot Angles: Quartering-Toward
Shot Angles: Head-On and Rear-End
Video: Choosing the Best Shot Angles
Topic 5: Setting Up the Perfect Shot
Planning for a Perfect Shot
Picking the Right Moment to Shoot
Why Shots Go Wrong
Jumping the String
Video: Shot Selection
Topic 6: Big Game Recovery
Steps for a Successful Recovery
Attention to Clues
When to Begin Recovery
Trailing Game and Blood Sign
White-Tailed Deer Hair Can Give Clues
Lost Sign
Nighttime Tracking
Topic 7: Field Care of Game
Approaching Downed Game
Field Care Basics
Field Dressing Techniques
Game Care Kit
Moving a Big Game Animal
About Game Meat
Topic 8: Putting It All Together
Video: Hey, I Got One
Unit 9: Outdoor Preparedness
Topic 1: Importance of Planning and Preparation
Preparing for Risks
Preparing a Hunting Plan
Planning a Bowhunting Trip Far Away
Primary Hazards
Gearing Up for Safety
Survival Kit
Topic 2: First Aid
First Aid: Bleeding and Arrow Wounds
First Aid: Falls and Broken Bones
First-Aid Kit
Topic 3: Topographic Maps and Compasses
Reading a Topographic Map
Selecting a Compass
Red Fred in the Shed: Using a Compass
Declination
Plotting Your Progress
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Topic 4: Survival Skills If You Get Lost
If You Get Lost
Prepare Shelter
Build a Fire
Signal for Help
Drink Water and Eat Food
Topic 5: Coping With Extreme Weather
Hypothermia
Symptoms and Treatment of Hypothermia
Heat Exhaustion
Heat Stroke
View Course Outline Skip audio player
A key part of preparing for the hunt is perfecting your archery skills.
The six basic steps for shooting a bow are:
Assume the shooting position.
Nock the arrow.
Draw and anchor the bow.
Aim.
Release the string.
Follow through.
Assume the Shooting Position
Stand at a right angle to the target with your back foot slightly forward and your feet shoulder-width apart. The stance should feel comfortable and balanced.
Nock the Arrow
Nock an arrow while pointing and holding the bow in a safe direction—toward the target. The nock of the arrow is placed at the nocking point, which is a crimped brass or rubber ring or a marked area, on the bow string. The nocking point seats the nock in the same location on the string every time you shoot.
Draw and Anchor the Bow
Grip the bow handle or riser, but don’t squeeze it.
Present the bow to the target.
With your bow arm straight, raise the bow to a point that your arm is parallel to the ground, while simultaneously drawing the string back to your anchor point with your shooting hand. The anchor point is the position where your shooting hand consistently comes to a normal rest on or near your face. To ensure accuracy, make sure your bowstring hand comes to the same point each time you shoot.
Aim
Instinctively “shoot where you look,” or use bow sights to help you align your arrow with the target. If you use sights, you must have the proper sight picture—the correct alignment of target, front sight, and rear sight—prior to releasing an arrow.
You can use instinctive aiming when shooting a bow.
Using a bow sight helps you align your arrow with the target.
Release the String
Once you have the proper sight picture, quickly relax your fingers or trigger the mechanical release in a smooth, confident manner.
Follow Through
After releasing the arrow, follow through by focusing on the sight picture you saw immediately prior to the shot.
