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 has 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.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kim Emery, Firefly Publicity, kim@fireflypublicity.com
