Archery Qualification Certification Suspended for 2017-2018 Hunting Year, to Be Renewed

ARCHERY QUALIFICATION CERTIFICATION SUSPENDED FOR 2017-2018 HUNTING YEAR, TO BE RENEWED IN FALL 2018 FOR 2018-2019 HUNTING YEAR

The archery qualification requirement is being suspended for the 2017-2018 hunting season due to the delay in the update of West Point’s Hunting, Fishing, and Outdoor Recreation Regulation - USMA Regulation 215-5. Last year and beginning again in September 2018, in addition to a New York State Bow Hunter Safety Course certification, West Point bow hunters need to have a West Point archery qualification certification in order to bow hunt in the following hunting areas; Area G2, Area J2 Bow, Area J3, Area J4 Bow, and Area J5 Bow. The exception to this is Spring Turkey Season, during which hunters may hunt in only Area J3 with a shotgun whether or not they have archery qualification requirement. Archery qualification certification is achieved by demonstrating proficiency with bow in hitting targets from a certain range in the presence of a designated official. For the 2017-2018 hunting season all hunters with a New York State Bow Hunter Safety Course will be able to bow hunt in on-post hunting areas. However, beginning in September of 2018, bow hunters will be required to qualify to bow hunt on West Point.

2018 Archery qualification will be conducted at a location determined by West Point’s Conservation Law Enforcement Officers (CLEO’s). The requirements to qualify with your bow are as follows: One must use the same bow, arrows, and arrow heads (Field tips are allowed for qualification) that you will use to hunt. Hunters will shoot up to 5 arrows from distances of 20 yards and 25 yards (10 and 15 yards for junior hunters age 12 – 15 and senior hunters age 65+). Shots made from 20 and 25 yards must hit 3 out of 5 within the vital area of a 3D animal target. For junior hunters and /senior hunters, shots made from 10 and 15 yards must hit 3 out of 5 within the vital area of a 3D animal target. These standards must be met from the ground and from a simulated stand elevated position. If you pass at the longest distance, you do not have to complete the short distance. All qualifications are good for five years. CLEO’s will hold qualifications as designated on the hunt management application. All other qualifications can be scheduled by contacting the CLEO’s.

Any questions or concerns should be directed to:

CPL Benjamin Durham,

Conservation Law Enforcement NCOIC

West Point, NY 10996

(845) 938-0147