I've come in late on this topic so I haven't read all the postings. Some of what I might say may have been said already. To many of the non-hunting community bowhunting is portrayed in a dim light. So to combat this we owe it to our sport to be as proficient as possible. At Quantico marine base (which Virginia shadow hunts) it is not required to pass a proficiency test to hunt regular side. But to hunt on Mainside where schools, commissary and housing are it is required. The test is to shoot 3 out of 5 arrows at a 3D deer at unmarked yardage between 18 and 25 yards. You must get 3 arrows in the heart/lung kill zone using field tips to pass. I have seen compound shooters fail, which astounds me. I think a test like this should be a minimum to be able to bowhunt in any state. I belong to Suburban Whitetail Management of Northern Virginia. This is the number one deer management, nonprofit organization in the US. The proficiency test to belong is to shoot 2 out of 3 arrows in a 6 inch circle at 20 & 30 yards...with your hunting broadheads. You may not use practice facsimile like Muzzy and Rage. Proficiency tests do not guarantee good judgment at the time of the shot by any stretch of the imagination. But it would help at least a modicum of competence and tuning. I'll even go as far as to say that to get a bowhunting license you should have to take the IBEP/NBEP course as well as Hunter Education.
I agree with what you are saying, thing is my uncle has been my hunting partner since I was 12 years old...going on 32 now. He is a woodsman, knows all his quarry, is a master on boats (salt and fresh water). He is the guy that several clubs will not allow back because he killed their bggest deer as a guest. He is THAT guy. I know I blow him up, but he is a great hunter and friend and hunting is his lifestyle, he is an engineer and as meticulous as they come...his downfall, confidence at all times. He knows angles, the chances a deer can/will drop down etc...he is just so dang confident at all times to make the shot.
