Certificate of Proficiency

ABO’s & CHASA’s Bowhunter Proficiency System proposed as n ‘Minimum Standard’

It is very apparent that in this day and age, if we were to allow Bow hunting to continue under what was basically an uncontrolled system, the outside pressures from the animal welfare bodies, (as is the case at the moment), would result in the Government stepping in to regulate our sport against our wishes and better interests. But this is only a challenge that we’ll have to face, how we step up to that challenge will be the determining factor.

We’ve acquired a seat at the Wildlife Forum, the first one held on January 25, 2006, where we’ll be putting the correct information out there, none based on Emotion or Personal opinion, but on facts.

This is the highest stage any organization can have @ Government level, alongside entities such as SA Hunters Ass / PHASA and Provincial Government Representatives ( DEAT )

We need a unified front, as any visible break, will be exploited by anti-hunting factions that would like to see this fail. This failure could result in our numbers deteriorating and the sport put on the same track as our friends in the Rifle / Gun Industries.

ABO has incorporated the current CHASA Bowhunter Proficiency system (Witch is accepted by Nature Conservation ) with that of our COP. This comprehensive bowhunter education system should be available by March 7,2008 at the clubs and Pro Shops and through the CHASA member association structure.

Bowhunting in South Africa is not under fire because we don’t know the breeding patterns of the Red Hartebeest ... but rather of what happens in that split second before the shot is release… Or should we say, should NOT have been.

We have trained Bowhunter Instructors at various Registered Clubs and Pro-shops throughout SA to facilitate the issuing of Competency Certificates ( COP Cards ). The COP is a self study coarse designed to be implemented as a Minimum standard in Bowhunting. By Minimum standard it by NO means implies it to be a ‘Walk-in-the-Park’. Bear in mind that your vehicle licensing laws and the Firearms Control Act are also ‘Minimum Standards’

If you are an instructor that runs archery related courses at the moment , we urge you to get in touch with us and get your course ABO accredited, and get you registered to issue COP’s in future.

Please check back here for updates on a regular basis.