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European Bow Hunting Trips

Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 1:34 pm
by $harp$hooter
Hi all,

I am after some information from anyone who may have partaken in the above on the continent.

My friend and I are possibly planning a trip over to Finland for 3 or 4 days of living in the woods and bow hunting and would like information on the legal ins and outs and the obtaining of hunting licenses/proficiency tests.

Anyone had any experience with this?

Re: European Bow Hunting Trips

Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 3:24 pm
by Sandgroper
$harp$hooter wrote:Hi all,

I am after some information from anyone who may have partaken in the above on the continent.

My friend and I are possibly planning a trip over to Finland for 3 or 4 days of living in the woods and bow hunting and would like information on the legal ins and outs and the obtaining of hunting licenses/proficiency tests.

Anyone had any experience with this?
Have you tried the Finnish Embassy? I would have thought they'd be your first contact in this regard.

Re: European Bow Hunting Trips

Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 8:25 am
by $harp$hooter
My main issue is finding information on how to go about getting licensed to bow hunt. I now have this information though

Re: European Bow Hunting Trips

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 7:04 am
by Combo
Perhaps you would like to share this information with us?

I for one would be interested in this.

Thanks

Re: European Bow Hunting Trips

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:58 pm
by $harp$hooter
Combo wrote:Perhaps you would like to share this information with us?

I for one would be interested in this.

Thanks
No problem.

The governing body for bow hunting in the UK is the British Bow-hunters Association.

http://www.britishbowhunterassociation.co.uk/

They are responsible for the testing and efficiency of licensed bow-hunters under the NBEF/IBEP qualification system. The NBEF/IBEP system is globally recognised as the qualification for efficient bow-hunters.

The IBEP is in two parts. Part one is a theory test that can now be completed on-line. This takes 10 hours to complete and once passed entitles you to attend a 3 hour practical hunting assessment to gain your IBEP card/qualification.

You will find that the theory test is actually the american on-line NBEF test which the BBA accept as the theory pass. I did mine for the state of Alaska and this was accepted by the BBA as being acceptable to qualify for the practical assessment.

Part 2 is a practical shooting assessment. This is designed to test your competency in shooting, ensure you know how to tune and maintain your bow and also ensures you have the field craft skills to get close to and track your quarry from blood trails.

As bow-hunting is illegal in the UK you can then use this in any country where it is legal to bow-hunt.

Links for reference:

http://www.nbef.org/
http://www.nbef.org/FAQs.asp
http://www.britishbowhunterassociation.co.uk/

It is also worth noting that a shooting proficiency test is not mandatory with the NBEF coursework however it has been deemed subjective to the governing country/association as to whether they deem it necessary to require one. The UK does require one.

Re: European Bow Hunting Trips

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 5:26 pm
by meles meles
Of course, you could just pick up a stout yew staff, string it with flax or hemp, gather some iron tipped birch or ash twigs and go hunting frogs like your forefathers did...

Re: European Bow Hunting Trips

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 6:37 pm
by AL8
meles meles wrote:Of course, you could just pick up a stout yew staff, string it with flax or hemp, gather some iron tipped birch or ash twigs and go hunting frogs like your forefathers did...
signfunnypost

Re: European Bow Hunting Trips

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 7:24 pm
by Sandgroper
$harp$hooter wrote:
Combo wrote:Perhaps you would like to share this information with us?

I for one would be interested in this.

Thanks
No problem.

The governing body for bow hunting in the UK is the British Bow-hunters Association.

http://www.britishbowhunterassociation.co.uk/

They are responsible for the testing and efficiency of licensed bow-hunters under the NBEF/IBEP qualification system. The NBEF/IBEP system is globally recognised as the qualification for efficient bow-hunters.

The IBEP is in two parts. Part one is a theory test that can now be completed on-line. This takes 10 hours to complete and once passed entitles you to attend a 3 hour practical hunting assessment to gain your IBEP card/qualification.

You will find that the theory test is actually the american on-line NBEF test which the BBA accept as the theory pass. I did mine for the state of Alaska and this was accepted by the BBA as being acceptable to qualify for the practical assessment.

Part 2 is a practical shooting assessment. This is designed to test your competency in shooting, ensure you know how to tune and maintain your bow and also ensures you have the field craft skills to get close to and track your quarry from blood trails.

As bow-hunting is illegal in the UK you can then use this in any country where it is legal to bow-hunt.

Links for reference:

http://www.nbef.org/
http://www.nbef.org/FAQs.asp
http://www.britishbowhunterassociation.co.uk/

It is also worth noting that a shooting proficiency test is not mandatory with the NBEF coursework however it has been deemed subjective to the governing country/association as to whether they deem it necessary to require one. The UK does require one.
After spending my teens and a good part of my twenties bowhunting in Australia - I'd have to say anything that encourages bowhunting is a good thing. However, having to prove myself is not something that fills me with enthusiasm and not something I'd do unless I had no other choice.

Re: European Bow Hunting Trips

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 8:30 am
by $harp$hooter
meles meles wrote:Of course, you could just pick up a stout yew staff, string it with flax or hemp, gather some iron tipped birch or ash twigs and go hunting frogs like your forefathers did...
I could do that and be breaking the law. However taking a trip to Finland (where I have friends) and bow-hunting there during season for bigger game suits me more. :cheers:

Re: European Bow Hunting Trips

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 4:21 pm
by Combo
Thanks $harp$hooter.

That is most useful! Much appreciated. sign92 :good: