New Pennsylvania accuracy/proficiency testing

[skydiver386]

Pennsylvania is now requiring an accuracy/proficiency test to hunt some private land that has a Landowner/State Co-op agreement.

Urban deer permits and other types of licenses I also have no problem with this type of proficiency testing. It does seem lenient depending on how good you are with a rifle.

Details for Pa.'s new Certified Hunter Program include proficiency test for guns, bows

The Pennsylvania Game Commission's new Certified Hunter Program includes several tests to let landowners know the hunters are ethical. Here's how.

www.goerie.com

 

[BeeMaa]

Rifle - 4 out of 5 shots on 6" target at 100 yards.
Shotguns w/ slugs - 4 out of 5 shots on 6" target at 50 yards.
Archery (bow or crossbow) - 4 out of 5 shots to heart/lungs on 3-D target at 20 yards.

If someone isn't capable of meeting these requirements, they have absolutely no business hunting.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

What's required for black powder? Same as "rifle?" Does the 3D archery target have a bull target on it or is it up to official scoring to determine what is the boiler room and what isn't?

 

[leslie hetrick]

one the wire people with just op out and quit hunting altogether. the state has had new young hunter classes and test to get a license to hunt, i think it started in 1958.

 

[cajunchefray]

Rifle - 4 out of 5 shots on 6" target at 100 yards.
Shotguns w/ slugs - 4 out of 5 shots on 6" target at 50 yards.
Archery (bow or crossbow) - 4 out of 5 shots to heart/lungs on 3-D target at 20 yards.

If someone isn't capable of meeting these requirements, they have absolutely no business hunting.

For rifles and shotguns is that standing or from a rest?

 

[BeeMaa]

For rifles and shotguns is that standing or from a rest?

You're asking as if I'm in charge. I'm not.

Best be good at both.

 

[cajunchefray]

You're asking as if I'm in charge. I'm not.

Best be good at both.

Agreed!

 

[KY Hunting Guy]

Rifle - 4 out of 5 shots on 6" target at 100 yards.
Shotguns w/ slugs - 4 out of 5 shots on 6" target at 50 yards.
Archery (bow or crossbow) - 4 out of 5 shots to heart/lungs on 3-D target at 20 yards.

If someone isn't capable of meeting these requirements, they have absolutely no business hunting.

This seems like a very doable task if you practice even a little. I have told my son in order for me to take him to hunt out west he has to hit a 6 inch steel plate 9 out of 10 times from a field position at 300 yards. Might seem cruel but if he wants it he will practice and get there. It is our responsibility to ensure an ethical and clean harvest.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Rifle - 4 out of 5 shots on 6" target at 100 yards.
Shotguns w/ slugs - 4 out of 5 shots on 6" target at 50 yards.
Archery (bow or crossbow) - 4 out of 5 shots to heart/lungs on 3-D target at 20 yards.

If someone isn't capable of meeting these requirements, they have absolutely no business hunting.

Is the rifle test to.be taken off hand? Could be tougher than it sounds, especially for less experienced hunters.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Rifle - 4 out of 5 shots on 6" target at 100 yards.
Shotguns w/ slugs - 4 out of 5 shots on 6" target at 50 yards.
Archery (bow or crossbow) - 4 out of 5 shots to heart/lungs on 3-D target at 20 yards.

If someone isn't capable of meeting these requirements, they have absolutely no business hunting.

No kidding.

 

[RedTag]

This article doesn’t seem specify what position the shooting must be done from. It’s fair to assume it’s not from a bench. It’s probably fair to suspect that any commonly accepted field shooting positions (standing, kneeling, sitting, or prone) would be acceptable, as this is analogous to the real world. I would like there to be at least such a requirement in Alaska. The level of incompetence among so many hunters up here is really staggering. A LOT of moose and caribou are wounded and wasted (or fed to wolves) every year. That said, I don’t know how such a requirement would be implemented. The archery certification required for bow hunting only areas is only offered a few times a year and that’s a comparatively low demand. I don’t know how they could deal with thousands of people needing to certify rifle marksmanship.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

This article doesn’t seem specify what position the shooting must be done from. It’s fair to assume it’s not from a bench. It’s probably fair to suspect that any commonly accepted field shooting positions (standing, kneeling, sitting, or prone) would be acceptable, as this is analogous to the real world. I would like there to be at least such a requirement in Alaska. The level of incompetence among so many hunters up here is really staggering. A LOT of moose and caribou are wounded and wasted (or fed to wolves) every year. That said, I don’t know how such a requirement would be implemented. The archery certification required for bow hunting only areas is only offered a few times a year and that’s a comparatively low demand. I don’t know how they could deal with thousands of people needing to certify rifle marksmanship.

I could agree to that, but I don't remember the last time I shot a rifle at anything from a standing (off hand) position. That's why I also don't remember the last time I missed a game animal.

 

[pilar]

When I took my concealed carry license shooting test I was absolutely shocked at how many people couldn’t pass it @ 5 yards, only 15 feet and people were missing the entire target, glad someone is setting some precedent for marksmanship in hunting

 

[mdwest]

This article doesn’t seem specify what position the shooting must be done from. It’s fair to assume it’s not from a bench.

I dunno… every government shooting facility I’ve been to in the lower 48 that are public shooting ranges not only have benches, they require shooters to use them… standing, kneeling, etc type positions are not allowed for “safety” reasons..

If this is a state govt requirement… it’s a bit contradictory to tell people they have to meet a standard that the same state government can’t support them practicing or qualifying by at any of their facilities..

 

[skydiver386]

I dunno… every government shooting facility I’ve been to in the lower 48 that are public shooting ranges not only have benches, they require shooters to use them… standing, kneeling, etc type positions are not allowed for “safety” reasons..

If this is a state govt requirement… it’s a bit contradictory to tell people they have to meet a standard that the same state government can’t support them practicing or qualifying by at any of their facilities..

I agree 100%. State and private facilities should not only allow, but encourage and provide training for standing, kneeling, sitting and prone shooting. These were the positions I was taught as a young hunter almost 50 years ago, and they were considered the basics of rifle marksmanship.

Most of my practice is with air rifles on my indoor range. Long range rifle shooting requires me to drive an hour and a half to a private range in the hills of eastern Ohio. I spend weekends there before a hunt practicing all 4 rifle positions, plus prone over a backpack, and occasionally off shooting sticks.

Keep in mind that this testing requirement is only for those already in possession of a Penn hunting license. It's for those seeking to hunt private land that is in a special CO-OP program between the land owner and the State. It's NOT a requirement for everyone to get a hunting license.

 

[GuttormG]

Will this be an annual test? or a one-time thing?

 

[BeeMaa]

Is the rifle test to.be taken off hand? Could be tougher than it sounds, especially for less experienced hunters.

Still not in charge of this rodeo. LOL.

However, good marksman practices will transfer from rifle to rifle. At least good enough to to pass this (nearly) laughable nonsense test with a rental rifle.

 

[skydiver386]

Will this be an annual test? or a one-time thing?

I'd imagine it's a one time thing. It would be added on to your license similar to the way States add a motorcycle endorsement.

 

[HankBuck]

You're asking as if I'm in charge. I'm not.

Best be good at both.

@BeeMaa: I’d guess that not 1 in 10 Hunters could put 4 of 5 shots in a 6” circle at 100 yrds shooting “Off Hand”….and that’s at a target - in a Hunting situation results would be worse. I also doubt that 50% of the members of this form could put 4/5 in a NINE inch (9”) circle “Off Hand” at 100 yrds with a Big Game Rifle. It’s also Unnecessary because few hunters shoot off hand, they use good judgement and also “a rest, bipod, sticks, etc..”. I think I understand the State’s reasoning - try to insure safety and convince the Public that Hunters are “trained & proficient” with guns. Accomplishing that “might” help open more puplic & private lands to Hunting.
For me, it’s “judgement” that makes a Hunter safe & efficient AND ethical and that can take time to develop. Some members on the AH Forum could consistently shoot animals at 200 yrds Off hand and have an 80%+ kill rate but most of them still wouldn’t take the chance ——they’d find a rest or even pass up the shot…. That’s the judgment I believe comes with time & experiance hunting.

 

[GuttormG]

However, good marksman practices will transfer from rifle to rifle. At least good enough to to pass this (nearly) laughable nonsense test with a rental rifle.

Any test has a minimum requirement to pass, some will just pass and others ace the same test blindfolded, standing on their head while singing Battle Hymn of the Republic.