Frederick Hunter Safety Bowhunter Field Day

Maryland Bowhunting Safety and Bowhunter Education Course

The Today's Bowhunter course on bowhunting safety is the official online bowhunter education course (IBEP) of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the National Bowhunter Education Foundation.

About This Bowhunter Safety Course

Maryland accepts this independent study method which is a two-part process:

  1. This online course, completed on your own time and your own schedule, followed by,
  2. A Field Day Exercise and testing led by Maryland Certified Bowhunter Education (IBEP) volunteer instructors. Visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources bowhunter safety web page to learn about Field Day options and contact information in your area.

Part 1: Bowhunter Education Home Study Steps

  1. There is no minimum age to be tested and certified with this online course. However, younger students may have a difficult time satisfactorily completing the online course.
  2. Study the Today’s Bowhunter material in each chapter and then complete the chapter review questions.
  3. Take one or more Practice Tests—free of charge.
  4. Then if you wish to qualify for admittance to a Field Day, take the Field Day Qualifier Exam. There is a $20.00 charge for taking the online exam, collected whether you pass or fail.
  5. Upon passing the Field Day Qualifier Exam, you can print out your official NBEF Field Day Qualifier Voucher. This Field Day Qualifier Voucher is required to attend the final portion of your bowhunter education course, which takes place with a Maryland Certified IBEP instructor in the field.

Part 2: Field Day Requirements

  1. You will have 365 days from the time you successfully complete the online portion to enroll and complete the Field Day portion of the curriculum.
  2. After completing the Field Day portion, which includes successfully passing the Maryland written exam and demonstrating proficiency with your bow, you will receive your official certificate which is proof of course completion.

A classroom discussion concerning:
1. Safety, Ethics and Responsbility
2. Tree Stand Safety
3. Archery Equipment
4. Blood Trailing and Sign
5. Shooting Technique
6. Maryland Specific Information

Field excercises including:
1.Distance judging
2. Tree Stand safety
3. blood trailing and sign

Testing
1. Shooting proficiency
2. 50 question multiple choice exam

There a $6.00 fee for the Field/Testing Day Program. This fee is to cover out of pocket expensed incurred by the teaching team.
You must present your Field Day Qualifier Voucher upon arrival at the Field/Testing Day program. A photo ID may also be required.

You will be required to demonstrate proficiency with your bow. The proficiency requirement is 3 out of 5 shots hitting the vitals of a 3-D deer target between 10 and 27 yards. At the discretion of the instructor, you may attempt the proficiency a second time the day of the class and, again at the discretion of the instructor, may return on another day to complete the proficiency requirement.

While instructors will be glad to assist you with your shooting technique and help correct minor shooting problems, we strongly recommend that you be proficient with your bow before attending the Field/Testing Day. Working with a professional bow technician to make certain that your equipment fits you and is properly tuned, is an investment that you should make before attending the Field/Testing day if you are inexperienced or your shooting is inconsistent.

Please send any questions or comments to webmaster@frederickiwla.com .