I asked about what seemed to be conflicting information on their webpage at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/%3Fadfg%3Dhuntered.bowhunter
I specifically referenced two sections on that page:
1) Non-Resident Hunters
All bowhunters must have a Bowhunter Education Certification Card on their person while bow hunting in all "archery only" areas of Alaska. Alaska accepts the NBEF or IBEP Certification Cards from any State/Province sponsored "bowhunter education specific" courses (not combination classes). Other state's bowhunting licenses, tags, stamps, age exemptions, etc. are not adequate to fulfill Alaska's requirements.
2) Bowhunter Education Course Options:
There are two ways to take a Bowhunter Education Course:
1. Traditional Course — 8 hours; includes classroom, field portion and proficiency shoot
2. Online Course — 2 parts; online study and test, 3 hour field day with proficiency shoot
Here is the response I received:
=======================================
"Hello Dwayne,
Sorry for the confusion. We are in the process of updating our bowhunter education course webpage as the regulations just changed.
The two paragraphs that you reference are separate topics.
Non-Resident Hunters:
Alaska does accept other state’s NBEF/IBEP certification cards, whether they have a shooting proficiency included in the course or not as that is a per state decision. We realize that many states only offer an in-person class without a proficiency shoot or some states also offer an online-only class, and so we can’t reasonably expect non-residents to have to complete a proficiency shoot when it’s not offered in their state.
Bowhunter Education Options:
Alaska offers two bowhunter education course options to people who want to take the course in Alaska, and both options include a shooting proficiency.
The regulation that would have required all bowhunters to have bowhunter education starting July 1, 2016 has been changed. The new regulation provides an exemption for bowhunter education requirements as follows:
· Beginning July 1, 2016, a person born after January 1, 1986 using a longbow, recurve bow, or compound bow to hunt big game must have successfully completed a department-approved bowhunter education course.
· A hunter using a longbow, recurve bow, or compound bow for any restricted weapons hunt that authorizes taking big game by bow and arrow, must have successfully completed a department-approved bowhunter education course (this current law is still in effect).
Hopefully this clears up your confusion, and if not, please give me a call or send me an email.
-Gina
Ginamaria Smith Program Coordinator Hunter Information and Training Program Alaska Department of Fish & Game 333 Raspberry Road Anchorage, AK 99518
Phone: (907) 267-2196 Fax: (907) 267-2323 [email protected]"
=======================================
Good luck to all who will be hunting the great state of Alaska this year! Oh, and don't forget your Bowhunter Ed certificate. :)
Dwayne
*Born prior to Jan 1, 1986, hunting with a bow in a "General Season" does NOT require Bowhunter's Ed.
*Hunting in a "restricted weapons" hunt still requires the course no matter your age. (unchanged from before)
Anyone see this any differently?
Attention all Bowhunters: Beginning July 1, 2016, all hunters using bow and arrow to hunt big game must have successfully completed a department approved bowhunter certification course.
I also went to the website and found the following:
New Bowhunter Requirement Bowhunters in hunts restricted to archery only must carry their IBEP or equivalent department approved certification card on them while archery hunting in the field, and must show their card to peace officers and department employees upon request. Beginning July 1, 2016, all big game hunters using archery will be required to have successfully completed a department approved certification course. Currently, this is required if the hunt is restricted to archery only
So, the way I read this, is that if you are hunting is an archery only area, you must carry the card with you. But if you are bowhunting any Big Game anywhere in the State, you must have completed the course by July 1, 2016.
Nonetheless, I would recommend all Bowhunters remain very careful and vigilant of this. It is the kind of thing various personnel may choose to interpret differently and impose their own version upon individual Bowhunters.
I know of instances where both ADF&G personal and wildlife enforcement officers have made up their own interpretations of regulations. So, you might end up with a citation based upon those interpretations and have to either pay up or fight it in court which would cost you more.
Russell's Link
Each state is different. Here in Alabama, it's all online and costs $30.
Kevin Dill's Link
Interestingly, I had called the Fairbanks office of adfg yesterday earlier and the person I spoke with had no clue about the changes.
I need to figure out what I need to do so I can hunt up there. Nothing planned so I have time, but it just seems ridiculous. A bow hunter could have killed big game all over north America with his/her bow but not be allowed to hunt? Stupid.
I get having hunters education, but this seems like so much hassle.........
Anyway, thank you for the information.
Anyway, I was probably not thinking straight when I posted that late last night.... Also, I think I read that it is only required if you are born after 1986 or are hunting in an archery only area.
Yes, its good to get some instruction before running a skillsaw, kayaking, riding a horse or parking up at the overlook with one of the Henderson sisters, but I don't think we need a license for every normal activity that has bit of risk.
Of all the states that should have a competency test, WI is at the top. Unfortunately the liberals are worried it will leave someone out.
To the guy that brought this thread back up, the regulation got changed to people that are younger than you are, except for bow-only tags, which are a tiny minority of tags in AK.
Most of the hunting you're going to consider, you won't need the class.
The guy running it was supporting it because when the archery only areas were opened (areas around Anchorage, Wasilla etc.) people ran out and bought bows so they could hunt without driving a long ways only to have moose running through town with arrows sticking out of them.
There was a pretty serious uprising from the residents. So it was the best compromise.
