The National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) supports the educational efforts of the Wildlife Sports & Educational Museum in Amsterdam, NY. NBEF is particularly proud of the permanent exhibit featuring the history of bowhunter education and its founder Bill Wadsworth. Wadsworth, often referred to as the “Father of Bowhunting,” founded the National Bowhunter Education Foundation in 1979 and was a major influence in bowhunter education from the 1960’s into the 1990’s.

NBEF Board President and long-term local supporter of the Museum, Stephen George was largely responsible for working together with Bob Kasmerski, the founder and owner of the WSEM to secure the display case and obtain the historic materials exhibited. The exhibit showcases the start and growth of the organization. Wadsworth and a small team of bowhunters met in upstate New York to draft a book about bowhunting. They were motivated by what they had seen while participating in the previous whitetail bowhunting season. They wanted to help bowhunters obtain important bowhunting facts before embarking on a hunt rather than learning in the field, via trial and error. The first book was printed in 1969. Bowhunter education courses were the next step. Conservation information, bowhunting methods and safety, shot placement, lures, calls, scents and bowhunter ethics and responsibilities were covered in print and in classes.

“NBEF and the Wildlife Sports & Educational Museum’s educational and preservation missions align,” explained NBEF Executive Director Marilyn Bentz. “We’re proud of our roots and are glad the NBEF story, particularly in New York state, will be shared for generations to come.”

“We appreciate NBEF’s financial support, and the artifacts graciously shared from its archives with our museum,“ said Bob Kasmerski, the founder and owner of the WSEM. “Visitors enjoy learning about the rich history of our sports and viewing our substantial collection of mounts including a recent African wildlife expansion.”

NBEF helps bowhunters be safe, successful and stewards of the sport. NBEF offers bowhunting instructional items, books, videos, 3-D models, apparel and more at nbef.org.

About NBEF

The National Bowhunter Education Foundation offers instructional content and tools for bowhunter education and hunter education. Helping bowhunters become safe and successful hunters and stewards of the sport are important NBEF missions. NBEF provides the bowhunter certification curriculum and class content that some states and certain circumstances require to bow hunt. NBEF provides instructor training and certification.

NBEF oversees the International Bowhunter Education Program and works with the International Hunter Education Association and state agencies to coordinate a unified program. States may have additional requirements. Europe and other countries offer full reciprocity for the NBEF (IBEP) certification and conduct classes.

NBEF also oversees the International Crossbow Education Program and works with state agencies responsible for crossbow education to develop comprehensive online crossbow safety courses that teach students important laws and regulations, game identification, and safe, responsible handling of crossbow equipment.

NBEF is a 501(c)3 corporation that isn’t a membership-based organization. Tax-deductible donations to support this non-profit are welcome.

Learn more at nbef.org.

About The Wildlife Sports and Educational Museum

The Wildlife Sports and Educational Museum is a non-profit educational institution located in Amsterdam, NY whose mission is to promote public understanding and appreciation of the outdoor sports, traditions of hunting, fishing & trapping and to preserve the art, artifacts and memorabilia associated with those traditions for future generations.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kim Emery, Firefly Publicity, kim@fireflypublicity.com