Alaska IBEP Bowhunter Certification

[BowhunterAZ]

I have an opportunity to hunt black bear in Alaska and my brother in law told me I need to complete an IBEP Bowhunter course. I won't have time to do it when I get to Alaska. Does anyone know if they offer classes in AZ that satisfies alaska's requirements? If so, how do I go about enrolling? I've called two AZGFD offices and Ben Avery and nobody can give me an answer. Thanks in advance.

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

There were 3 guys in my az bowhunter safety course doing it for Alaska. Just need to call on that not just the office

[azgutpile]

Try this.

 

http://www.bowhunter-ed.com/arizona/

[BowhunterAZ]

That's it. Thanks!

[BowhunterAZ]

I've been traveling and have not had time to sit down and Google all of this stuff. Thanks for the link

[GotBowAz]

From what I understand, and I hope Im wrong, you can complete the coarse here or on line but you STILL have to go to Alaska and do their one day field test which is not much more than shooting your bow at 20 yard targets. The problem is the coarse/class fills up fast and they are not convenient.

 

IMO its a ridiculous requirement which will cost a lot of cash out of your pocket by the time you payed to fly up there and take the class just for one day.You can still hunt rifle without the class certificate.

 

Good luck, let us know how it turns out for you. I hope Im wrong, I wanted to hunt caribou or moose in 2016

[cohofishing]

I believe GotBowAz is right. I used to bow hunt in Alaska when I was commercial fishing. I might be wrong but the state of Alaska, at that time, only required the certification if you are hunting in "Bow Only" hunts. If you are just hunting a spring black bear hunt where any weapon is allowed, I don't think you need that certification. I have bow hunted for black bear and sitka black tails and never had the certification. It was something I wanted to do, but the field day was always somewhere I wasn't and getting there was more than I wanted to spend.

 

I would be surprised if there are any "Bow Only" black bear hunts. Maybe inside Juneau's city limits or other town limits. I know there are "Bow Only" sheep tags, goat tags and moose tags to name a few.

 

My brother wants me to hunt a goat hunt that is "Bow Only" and the only thing stopping me from applying is the certification. Let us know what you find out please.

 

Brent

[GotBowAz]

One thing to add, If I am not mistaken this is not for Bow only hunts anymore. This is for any hunt using a bow even in a any weapon hunt. This is the "NEW" change for 2015.

[joe hunter]

I saw a topic on bowsite.com the other day about this same subject and if I remember right they say you can take the South Dakota course online, no field day and Alaska will honor it. Cost $30. Check it out.