Trad Gang

Merry Christmas TradGang from Steve O. and Steve H.   Steve and I were recently discussing how being members of the Professional Bowhunters Society has benefited each of us.  We have both enjoyed the fraternal nature of the organization and have met some of our best friends and hunting partners through the PBS.

The following excerpt is straight from the PBS website at    http://probowsociety.org/.  


"For over a quarter of a century, the Professional Bowhunters Society has been at the forefront in the perpetuation of bowhunting. No other single organization has contributed as much in time, effort, and resources in defending bowhunters and bowhunting.

   The Professional Bowhunters Society is an organization of experienced bowhunters. Its format and foundation is one based on leadership and "knowledge through experience." The P.B.S. is dedicated to the advancement and preservation of bowhunting as a major outdoor sport. The P.B.S. encourages the development of skill in bowhunting as well as the exchange of knowledge between bowhunters. The organization is dedicated to the belief that more personal satisfaction is derived from skilled hunting techniques and that bowhunters have a responsibility for efficiency in their sport and must use equipment adequate to do so. But foremost, it is the brotherhood of most of the best bowhunters in the world. We have chosen our standards, met and faced the challenge. We are not discriminatory but selective in our membership. We feel everyone is not cut out to be a bowhunter. We feel personal satisfaction in our sport must be measured in direct relation to the degree of challenge involved. Satisfaction lies in the hunting more than the shooting.

   Many people ask why the word "Professional" in the organization's title. To some it means P.B.S. members bowhunt for a living. Some have said it makes members sound like "hired killers." Both of these assumptions are wrong. The term "Professional" in the name denotes professionalism in both attitude and skill, synonymous in the manner a professional pertains to a profession. If you feel this description fits you, we invite you to join us?"


Steve and I would like to ask any interested individuals to  please check out our website and forum and if you agree with the ideals of the Society let us know on this website and Steve and I will draw one lucky individuals name and pay for their first years' membership dues.  We have an awesome quarterly magazine that is already like having Christmas four times per year in itself!

In addition we have a biannual gathering that moves about the country.  The next Gathering will be in Portland the last week of March, 2012.

Once again a Merry Christmas from Steve & Steve!

A good friend of mine just signed me up for an associate membership. He just attained his regular membership himself.

Welcome to the Society Mike.

I have been procrastinating for the past several years. I would love to become a member and would be honored to be considered.

QuoteOriginally posted by Steve H.:
Welcome to the Society Mike.

and what an awesome one it is.

Joining the PBS is easily the best Archery Investment Adam and I have made!    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

There are a bunch of very serious, dedicated, and ethical bowhunters here on Trad Gang that aren't PBS members now, but certainly should be.  Go to the PBS site and check it out.  Read what they are all about, and see if it fits with your own personal ideas and philosophies.  

If someone wouldn't mind having their first years dues paid for by a guy named Joe instead of Steve I'd be glad to take care of one additional new member.

I would love the chance to become a member

I just joined, its something I should have done sooner.

doug77

I recently rejoined after being a regular member back 'a few' years ago.  We who care about bowhunting should become members. Strength in numbers, plus a good organization with a good quarterly magazine. Check it out, you won't be sorry.

I would be interested in membership.

Anyone interested in joining PBS can find all the info and application at the PBS website,
http://probowsociety.org/.

Look it over and I'm sure you will want to be a member.

Hal

Very cool Steve. Like stated above the PBS is great and nobody will be disappointed if they join.

Yes a great organization to be a part of! Steve H. was my sponsor to regular membership, now several years ago. What a great influence he has been for all bowhunters. It is made up of many such as Steve, always willing to help and assist bowhunters and will fight to defend our rights.

A public thankyou Steve.

Great idea, Steves!!  Regular Life Member here.

Steve

I just posted on the PBS site, I will cover a third membership from TG

Dennis, Regular Life

I have read and understand the goals and objectives of PBS.

I think I have been involved in several of these very activities for the last 20 years but just on a state level.

Thanks for the consideration. Please enter my name.

God bless,Mudd

I've been interested in this organization and have put it off for years, so I would like to be considered for this opportunity! thank you!

Ok, maybe I'm a little thick headed, I read the by-laws, I see the sponsors, sounds like all good stuff, I see the anti crossbow stuff (too late for my state of Michigan) but I cannot tell if training wheels are allowed ? (not that I want them) just a curiosity question before I think about joining.
Dan

Dan D, PBS is for all ethical and "professional in their actions" bowhunters. While all of us here on TradGang shoot bows without wheels, they are not excluded from PBS.

Steve"s", what a great gesture. Draw another name from the hat and I'll pay for it. There just aren't any better bowhunters and PBS type of guys than those that visit this site.

I remember being at the Great Lakes Longbow Invitational in the mid 80's.  Jerry Pierce and John Rook signed me up as an associate member of PBS.  Getting the quarterly magazine was definitely worth the price of admission.  Then I attended my first PBS banquet...I left the weekend pinching myself saying "where has this organization been my whole life?"!!  Long story short, I ended up being the high bidder at the auction on a Mackay Lake caribou hunt.  During the hunt, I made some life long PBS friends.

I'm with Steve H., Steve O., Joe, Dennis and Terry...I'll pick up the first year membership dues for a Trad Gang member that is interested in joining PBS.  

Steve H. and Steve O. - let me know when you do the drawing and I'll take care of my part.

Bryan

Dan D,

Compounds are OK.  Seems like many of the guys that are serious enough about bowhunting to be in the PBS are just naturally drawn to shooting the stick bow.

I think what I see is we are now giving out 3 new PBS Associate memberships?

1. From Steve H & O
2. From Whip
3. From Dennis Allman

So, let's say the cutoff to post you would like to be in on this Christmas present is 9pm (eastern time!) and I think we should have Steve H do the drawing    :D

I am telling you, the PBS is made up of the BEST human beings out there.  While I was typing, we have 2 more "gifts"!

 :thumbsup:

QuoteOriginally posted by Steve O:

Compounds are OK.  Seems like many of the guys that are serious enough about bowhunting to be in the PBS are just naturally drawn to shooting the stick bow.

Sounds like a good thing, I must be a serious bowhunter as I am "drawn to shooting the stick bow"

After reading all the posts up thru page 4, I will join on my own ! No need to throw my name in the hat, after seeing all the generous people here, that's all I needed to see to convince me to join on my own.
Thanks,
Dan

Dan

I'm a regular member and have never once been disappointed.  I agree completely in that I have met some great friends and partners thru PBS.  Thank you Steve and Steve for this gesture.  Merry Christmas all!

Add my name please.  Thank you.

I have been an associate member for several years with a short lapse (of judgement) a few years ago. PBS members much like here on TradGang are the organizations greatest asset. I have shared camps with several members and had gracious offers to join several more on hunts I could only dream of. Everyone I have come in contact with has exhibited "knowledge through experience" with no hint of elitism some have tried to attribute to the organization.

I would strongly urge anyone who is not a member to take this opportunity. Even if you are not drawn you should consider joining and experiencing the PBS.

COUNT ME IN!

Wait, I'm already a Regular member.

OK, THEN I'LL PAY FOR A NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP.

Just let me know the details, Steve.

Joining PBS was the second best thing I did to reinforce my bowhunting way of life. The first was marrying an understanding wife!

Steve(s),
I'll pay for 1 more membership from Tradgang to make it 5 available to our TG Brothers.

Hal

PBS is one of the best groups I've ever been associated with.
I made my first Banquet, and what a great time we had.  I got to meet alot of the folks, I've only read about.  Everyone took time from their busy schedule to talk with a new member.  Even got to meet some of my HEROS!
Krista and Sterling Hollbrook talked me into joining.  Best dried green frogskins, I ever spent!
JAG/Johnny

If any of you would like to just go ahead and sign up (I know of two that have done so) please go for it.  We will still include your name and if drawn we will reimburse you the membership fees.

Up for the interested daytime crowd.

I like Danny would be more than honored to be considered for membership.I've never met anyone that was a member and didn't honestly know how to get sposored.If it can be done through here and I don't win I'll pay to join.

Even though I've been a member for over 25 years, if my name is drawn I will give you guys a name of someone else you can donate the membership to. Thanks to all of you, Mike

Great idea Steve and well said. I echo Herdbull's statement about another person's name.

I was an assoc. member back in the 80's and 90's.  For some reason, I didn't send in my dues one year and after that it got away from me.  This thread and the PBS site has renewed my interest and showed me what I have been missing.  Please enter my name and if I renew before drawing, I will pass membership along to a friend.  Thanks for the opportunity and the thread.

Good for you Steve. I hope you generate lots of interest. There should be plenty of people here that would be great members. I've been a member now for 16 yrs and wish I had joined sooner and got more involved sooner also.

WOW, you dudes are awesome! Since I'm having a slooow year financially I'd appreciate a chance for a membership, thanks.

I can honestly say I've never looked into the PBS before this thread...not sure why. Please add my name to hat I would be honored to join.

You know how every club or group has 4 or 5 guys that do all the work? The get 'er done type? The guys that work the shoot and let the other members have a good time? You'll find that PBS is made up of these type of bowhunters.

You'll find every one of our Regular Members with their hands up anytime something needs to be done. It's a group that won't shut-up, so we all put-up. If we were a business, we'd be top ten Fortune 500 easy.

You won't find the "glamour" guys and gals from TV or none of the big manufacturing giants who make it into the bowhunting "hall of fame". You will find guys and gals who LIVE bowhunting 24/7/365. If that sounds like you, please put your name in the hat!

I'd love to have a shot at a membership... Thanks for your generosity!!!!

Jonathan

I am proud to be a regular member for many years and one of the only 2 outside the US.and canada.

Well said, Big!

This is something I have looked into a number of times as well and I am ashamed to say I have just never pulled the trigger.  I would be honored to have my name thrown in the hat.  Thanks guys.

Thanks for bringing that up Biggie. You are right, PBS is full of the leadership types. Be it local clubs, state or national most all of the members are or have been officers. And they are the ones that step up to help out. They get it done when it comes to hunting also and are willing to share their knowledge.

Hats off to Steve Squared!

I joined this year and attended the banquet for the first time.  I'll have to disagree with the Bigster....it was full of glamour guys....Bigster being at the front of that line.

JT:  That was the buffet line!

Please put my name in the hat.  
Oh wait, I'm already a member so you might as well put me down for paying for another lucky winner, just let me know who it is and I'll send a check to the PBS office.  Great idea, Steves.

Hi Steve's i will gladly pay for another membership for the drawing. please let me know who you want the money sent to.


Mike Mealey regular member

I think we have as many guys willing to pay for a fellow TradGanger to join PBS as we have guys with their name in the hat.  

Steve, you're gonna have to take your shoes off to keep track of all the free memberships.

looks like we have a membership drive going here, add me to list for donating a membership. Steve it would be really great to know who we donated a membership to so we can keep in touch with them. I can see some new friendships coming from this. Just another way PBS is a cut above.

Joning the PBS last year was one of the best things Tracey and I have done. A great Org. with great people involved in it. The Banquet last March in Nasville was a great event.

Can't wait till Portland in 2012

Thanks PBS    :clapper:

St. Joe River bows will pay for a membership as well for a fellow tradganger

Please throw me in for this!!

Great idea! Also put me down for paying for one of the lucky winners. Let me know who you want the money sent to.
Thanks to both of you!

There are a lot of generous individuals here.  I will go thru the thread a list how many memberships are up for giving in a bit.  I also have received some other offers via e-mail we'll have to figure out what to do about!  Maybe we'll have an Easter parade    :biglaugh:

It sure is great to see some of the names that are being thrown in the hat for this. It looks like PBS is going to get some high quality additions to the membership list!  

I know there are many more around here that would make great candidates. Don't be shy people. Take a look and give it a try. If after the first year you don't think it's the best organization around you don't have to renew. But I'm betting that once you have a taste of it you'll figure the renewal at that point will be one of the best bargains of the year.

Great idea 2xSteve.  I'm willing to sponsor one membership.

John Vargo

After reading through this thread, It's beginning to look like there are more current PBS members offering to pay for a new member, than Non-members wanting in on the drawing.
Hate to say this but there may be a lot of Tradgangers not reading the thread because they may think it is primarily directed toward PBS members. I don't like thinking that but it is very possible.
One sure way to get a much higher reader count for the thread is to edit the title with the word "Giveaway". Wouldn't be a bad thing to do since I doubt there is anyone that is a Tradgang member that would not be in agreement with the PBS goals, principals, and attitude.

About a year ago, Rick Stillman encouraged me to join but things got in the way.  The generosity of you fellas is something to behold.

Please put me in for the drawing with many thanks!

Ok, FIALLY figured out how to modify the title!

Well, right now there are THIRTEEN memberships available as Christmas presents donated by:

1.  Steve^2
2.  Whip
3.  Dennis Allmand
4.  Indiana Bowman
5.  Bryan Burkhardt
6.  Alligatordond
7.  Bwana Bowman
8.  Kevin Bahr
9.  Mlmealey
10. Paleface
11. Bowman
12. Bo
13. John V

As already mentioned for those that have signed up, your odds are very good right now    :)

I hope many more take a look at the thread here and at The Professional Bowhunters Society.

I am pretty naive and was one who thought the "Professional" meant you had to be part of the archery industry.  Once I met some members, none of whom were making their living off of bowhunting, I realized it could be replaced with "ethical" or "of the highest character".  The PBS attracts just plain GOOD folks.

14 is a good number for me Ho..put me down to give a membership away..

I just sent this link by email to a couple of buddies that really should be in PBS.  They hadn't posted on here yet, so thought I would give them a gentle nudge.   ;)

I would be honored to belong to the PBS.
I have only met one member and he was a stand up guy. Thank You for the chance and for the Info.

Wow, I never checked them out before! Sounds like an outstanding organization! Please add my name to the drawing!

If Ole Mississippi Joebuck can donate a membership, I guess I can too..........

I guess he's using the money he put back to go to a bowl game.

Well, the great folks here on Tradgang have done it again. Take my name OUT of the hat. A certain gentleman, (who wishes to remain anonymous), read my post, then pm'd me that he would cover my costs for my first year in PBS. unbelievable.

But, I think I'm going to out him, because I feel he should be recognized, his initials are hogdancer, please, shower him with some accolades. Thanks to all.

Way to go Tom. Welcome Tad. Make sure you get to the PBS site.   http://www.probowsociety.org/

Awesome...just awesome. Thanks guys for helping the PBS out like this.

I sure would like to be considered for this as well.  Thank you all for the opportunity...Mike

QuoteOriginally posted by Biggie Hoffman:
If Ole Mississippi Joebuck can donate a membership, I guess I can too..........

I guess he's using the money he put back to go to a bowl game.

That's a low blow  :biglaugh:    :biglaugh:  

Just out of curiousity, where is Georgia on the BCS  :confused:

Thank you.   Please add my name

QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Biggie Hoffman:
If Ole Mississippi Joebuck can donate a membership, I guess I can too..........

I guess he's using the money he put back to go to a bowl game.

That's a low blow   :goldtooth: