National Bowhunter Education Foundation Appoints State Chairmen

Posted on: Sep 27, 2026

RAPID CITY, SD (September 29, 2026) –National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) Executive Director Marilyn Bentz appointed new State Chairmen. Effective immediately Aaron Nickson will serve in Arkansas, Richard English in California, and Alan Jones in Washington state.

State Chairmen work with local game and fish and conservation professionals to provide IBEP/ICEP bowhunter education courses and to be the boots on the ground liaison with local bowhunters. The International Bowhunter Education Program and International Crossbow Education Program (IBEP/ICEP) are the only educational bowhunting programs recognized in all 50 states and over 20 other countries. Courses are offered 100% in-person, online, or online with an in-person field day for hands-on training. To find a class or get more information, visit NBEF.org.

Nickson is a certified Hunter Education Instructor and a Master Instructor for the International Bowhunter Education Program and International Crossbow Education Program (IBEP/ICEP). In addition to being an Arkansas Bowhunter Association board member, he is on the TenPoint Crossbows pro staff and participates in numerous state and national consumer events.

English is lifelong shooting sports enthusiast and hunter. He’s a member of the NFAA and California Bowmen/State Archery Association. English became an IBEP instructor in 1994 and has continued to teach for over 32 years.

Jones has bow hunted since 1990 and taught bowhunter education since 1993 in Washington. He enjoys bowhunting for mule and blacktail deer, Rocky Mountain elk, turkey and grouse. He as experience working with the Washington Fish and Game and is excited about promoting the IBEP.

NBEF works closely with state agencies, bowhunting associations and industry groups to recruit, retain and re-activate bowhunting participants. Working together is the best way to effectively introduce newcomers to bowhunting, promote safety practices and increase bowhunting success.

“These three are great assets to the NBEF and great ambassadors of bowhunting,” said Bentz. “I’m so proud to have them on our team!”

NBEF helps bowhunters learn to 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.

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