Not sure if this is too far off topic, but I had some questions about those of you who are members of PBS. I read over their site and it seems like they do a lot of good for perserving/protecting/improving the general world of bowhunting. I joined (the lowest membership option at this point), if at least for those previously stated reasons. I was just wondering the level of involvment that members here get into with PBS. Are there things you do that are related to PBS? Are there certain aspects of PBS that you really enjoy? Any opinions about PBS would be great. I understand that I could just post a thread over there on their forum, but tradgang gets a lot of traffic and my membership to PBS is still pending approval. Thanks in advance gang. Happy shooting! Getting close to crunch time in some states!
Lucas.. First of all welcome.
I think this thread may be best suited for their web site.
I joined because its an organization I believe in. I am not very active yet but hope to be one day. I am getting my feet wet right now.
Even though I think there is some cross over with "like" activities here at Trad Gang, you will find guys over there live to Bowhunt and do everything in their power to not only promote Bowhunting but ensure its around for as long as possible.
I think a lot of Members here at Trad Gang are PBS material who haven't Joined whether they are not familiar or not interested so I often mention it to guys through PM's if I think there is a possibility of them or PBS benefiting from their membership.
Thanks for the insight. I will certainly post a similar thread over there, I would just like to save it for an introductory thread - and that I am saving for when my membership is activated. I apologize for any impropriety on my part and mods if needed, feel free to remove it, no hard feelings.
Welcome to PBS it is a great organization made up of hard core bowhunters. It is through each members desire to continue the traditions and preserve bowhuntings traditional values. Your membership will have many benefits including a wonderful magazine that will bring writings from many outstanding bowhunters.
Welcome Lucas!
PBS is a great organization to meet people who love to bowhunt as much as we do. The emphasis is on hunting as opposed to killing at all cost. There are close to a dozen membership hunts scheduled so far this year that are hosted by the members and any member is welcome to join along at no cost. It is simply a gathering of great hunters who love to pass along "knowledge through experience".
Welcome to PBS Lucas! You will find lots of responses on the PBS sight, but there are lots of PBS members that hang out here as well.
Like any organization, you will find that what you get out of it is in proportion to what you put into it. When I first joined it took me awhile to really become involved, but the more I got into it the more I liked it. My PBS membership has helped me to meet new friends that think and feel the same way that I do about hunting. Some of these friends are local to where I live, others are from all over the country. I've shared hunting camps with them and been invited to hunt out of state in a number of places. Without a doubt, PBS is one of the most valuable organizations that I belong to.
I hope that your interest develops into getting involved and look forward to meeting in person down the road.
Welcome to PBS! A great bunch of hardcore bow hunters, who are dedicated to promoting the bowhunting lifestyle.
Welcome to the PBS. As most have mentioned, the PBS is all about the entire hunt, not just the kill. Hardcore Bowhunters would sum us up well. Most of my closest friends are PBS members.
I honestly could not put a value on the knowledge I have gained by being a member. If it was not for the advice and knowledge I have gained, I never would have hunted in Hawaii, Wyoming and most recently, in Manitoba.
Like most things in life, there are so many hidden benefits, that you truly need to look and you will be amazed.
Just last night, I was writting an article for an upcoming PBS publication about the bear hunt I was on this past June.
The banquet next year will be in St. Augustine, FL. Make plans to get there....you won't regret it.
Welcome to PBS Lucas...and thanks for bringing up this topic.
I think you simply need to be a member for a few years, and involve yourself in the organization in order to fully understand and appreciate the benefits of membership. To me, PBS is about our people and their love of hunting with bow and arrow. It's the people that make PBS unique and different from every other hunting organization out there. We exist for each other, and not for political advantage or notoriety. Contact and time spent with fellow PBS members commonly leads to hunting opportunities far beyond what many dream possible. Your membership might lead you to any place on the globe some day. It might also have you sharing a camp with some of the icons in our sport...conversing with them 1:1.
When I hear 'PBS' I think 'Pro-Bowhunting Society'. We're not professionals in the way most people think of it, but we strive to excel at a level commonly associated with professionalism and integrity. That sometimes takes a while to absorb, but that's our focus. We're a group of do-ers who prefer to spend time together hunting or socializing. Our website simply offers a convenient avenue to share information and keep in touch with friends.
I hope you get much from you membership. Give it a run and watch what develops. Thanks.
Well, so many positive and informative responses. I really appreciate it, I do. I think many of the hunters who hunt with traditional bows have it in their minds that killing an animal is slightly less likely than if they used a gun or compound bow. For my own part I really don't care if I do or not. It is obviously my goal, no doubt, but not a requirement for enjoying the hunt. I end up giving away most of the meat anyhow, aside from small pigs and some select cuts of deer. It's the hunt that I enjoy, the preperations, the friendships, the challenge. Seasons go by where I take nothing other than some small game, and I don't mind. If anything I look for ways to attempt even greater challenges, such as this year's "ground only" adventure. Just this morning as I was walking through the woods looking for good spots for this year, but from a ground hunt vantage point, I became aware of how different things are when you take stands out of the equation. haha. I'm excited. Thank you for the responses, again, I am happy to be continuing down such a lofty and noble road. Between tradGang and PBS I am certain that I have many adventures ahead.
QuoteOriginally posted by Cavscout9753:
Well, so many positive and informative responses. I really appreciate it, I do. I think many of the hunters who hunt with traditional bows have it in their minds that killing an animal is slightly less likely than if they used a gun or compound bow. For my own part I really don't care if I do or not. It is obviously my goal, no doubt, but not a requirement for enjoying the hunt. I end up giving away most of the meat anyhow, aside from small pigs and some select cuts of deer. It's the hunt that I enjoy, the preperations, the friendships, the challenge. Seasons go by where I take nothing other than some small game, and I don't mind. If anything I look for ways to attempt even greater challenges, such as this year's "ground only" adventure. Just this morning as I was walking through the woods looking for good spots for this year, but from a ground hunt vantage point, I became aware of how different things are when you take stands out of the equation. haha. I'm excited. Thank you for the responses, again, I am happy to be continuing down such a lofty and noble road. Between tradGang and PBS I am certain that I have many adventures ahead.
you sound like the kind of guy that is a perfect match for the PBS !!
Welcome Lucas, those who have responded so far had pretty much nailed it. Try to attend the Banquet in St. Augustine in 2016. It'll REALLY help you understand what it's all about. I can't think of a better group of bowhunters.
St. Augustine isn't out of the equation for 2016. My mother lives in Sebring, Florida (about an hour south of Orlando) so I'm not unfamiliar with driving from Ft. Benning down to that way. My largest goal for 2015 is some of the traditional archery gatherings and shoots. I almost made it to the Howard Hill Classic this year but I was too slow in submitting the proper pass paperwork for work, so I missed out. Joining up with others for a hunt sounds great as well, I am the only guy I know who trad hunts. I know many bowhunters, but for them it's simply about the killing. I tell them they're missing the best part. Actually talking to a guy I work with today who only bow hunts, but he shoots them out to 50+ yards. Told him that's technically hunting, more so just killing, but to each their own. I've passed up shots under 20 yards, if it isn't right, it isn't right. Not worth a crummy shot to me. Luckily we have lands on post that is archery only which is great because once gun opens up everyone tosses their super-bows into the closet and grabs a gun giving me what is essence my own hunting land all to myself. haha. At least my serenity isn't disturbed by a rifle blast.
Welcome Lucas, IMO i look forward to the banquets the most and being connected to like minded bowhunters for a weekend. Then we all leave and crawl back into our own woods and life and regroup every 2 years. However...............if your wanting to meet some guys that are for most part traditional equipment and bow only ......this is your lottery to connect and meet guys that will mentor you, invite you hunting and relationships grow. Who knows what elk hunt or moose hunt is just around the corner for you. I would also reccomend Compton and attending there stuff.. Same cloth guys and great bowhunters also. I am next door if you need help. Joey Buchanan
Welcome to PBS,Lucas.
Welcome Lucas. You should check into Compton's too. Both are great.
Welcome from me as well. As with any organization you get what you put in. If you have kids check out the Youth hunts. We have made lasting friendships and shared many campfires on membership hunts and youth hunts. My son and I probably would not have shot Elk were it not for the PBS. Truly a great organization. If you have any old bows and other archery items please donate them to the auctions at the banquets. Trad Gang and the PBS are bowhunter essentials! :archer:
Welcome to the PBS. I suggest you get involved and to as much as you can with the group. From the organized hunts Odd year gatherings that will happen in 2015 and of course plan now to be at the banquet in Florida in 2016.
I'm glad this has come up. I have seen "PBS" a lot but never really know what it was.... took a look at the site and it seem like something everyone who cares about bowhunting should be a part of :readit: Now it's time for me to jump in too :thumbsup:
Blaino, the way I see it, it's an all win situation. You're joining an organization that promotes traditional values, knowledge through experience, and conservation. There's also some really great people to meet!!
Well I'm glad my humble inquiry has perhaps helped raise a renewed interest to some people who, like me, were/are unfamiliar with such a great organization. I am happy I looked into it and (once my membership is activated) doing what I can to aide in furthering the cause(s). Thanks again for the replies!
Welcome to PBS Lucas! Just getting to meet Joebuck is worth the price of membership!
Welcome new members! As others have stated, the more you put into PBS the more you will receive in return. Whenever I have moved from job or school, one of the first things I did was look up PBS members in the area I was moving to and a few phone calls/letters later I had a bunch of new friends eager to include me in local shoots and had invitations to join them on hunts. PBS is a big family of people you actually like and want to spend time with.
John V., that's an excellent idea. And as a Soldier I suppose the idea has a special merit. Thanks for the welcome!
Welcome to PBS, Lucas!
I guess I'll be the negative opinion. I just got my first renewal notice in the mail and I don't think I'll pay again. I wasn't terribly impressed with the magazine, and the website doesn't seem to get much traffic. I think I'll try BHA next.
QuoteOriginally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
Lucas.. First of all welcome.
I think this thread may be best suited for their web site.
I joined because its an organization I believe in. I am not very active yet but hope to be one day. I am getting my feet wet right now.
Even though I think there is some cross over with "like" activities here at Trad Gang, you will find guys over there live to Bowhunt and do everything in their power to not only promote Bowhunting but ensure its around for as long as possible.
I think a lot of Members here at Trad Gang are PBS material who haven't Joined whether they are not familiar or not interested so I often mention it to guys through PM's if I think there is a possibility of them or PBS benefiting from their membership.
Just wanted to let you know that when you mentioned PBS to me nearly a year ago in a private message I looked into it and ended up joining soon after. I think it's a great organization with solid ethical standards. Just wanted to say thanks for planting the seed with me to look into it!
Welcome Lucas. I just found out that the Odd Year Gathering will be July 2015 at Ojibwa Bow club in New Berlin WI. Always a great time.
Wish I would have read this earlier. PBS threads have been welcome on TradGang since day one. A lot of us here on Tradgang live to bowthunt whether they are members of PBS or not. Some folks just aren't joiners. I know a few guys that are 'professional bowhunters' but they aren't members of PBS for one reason or another, some if these guys I know are dear friends of mine. Nothing wrong with being a member of PBS either, great organization.
TradGang use to Host their forum here...and would do so again.
Nothing wrong with chatting about PBS here at all. No need to apologize for anything.
:campfire:
Welcome Lucas You made a good move.... Great organization.... great dedicated members.
:clapper: :
QuoteOriginally posted by Terry Green:
Wish I would have read this earlier. PBS threads have been welcome on TradGang since day one. A lot of us here on Tradgang live to bowthunt whether they are members of PBS or not. Some folks just aren't joiners. I know a few guys that are 'professional bowhunters' but they aren't members of PBS for one reason or another, some if these guys I know are dear friends of mine. Nothing wrong with being a member of PBS either, great organization.
TradGang use to Host their forum here...and would do so again.
Nothing wrong with chatting about PBS here at all. No need to apologize for anything.
:campfire:
Thanks Terry. I think I can probably speak for just about every PBS member to say we really appreciate what you and Rob and all the moderators do for traditional bowhunting and the PBS.
I will also say that one really needs to attend one of the Gatherings or Odd Year events to get the best feel for the PBS. Very hard to understand the PBS from the magazine or an internet site.
This is an organization that I have been hemming and hawing about joining for a long time now. I don't know why, I have just been thinking about it for some time.
I stopped by the booth at the Compton shoot this year and asked pointedly, what the PBS does. I got nothing but blank stares and nothing verbal aside from "just a group for likeminded people".
This is why I still haven't joined I guess. I just cannot get a read on what it is that the PBS does. Kinda like a secret society :D
Hopefully, someday I will find out the tangibles that will allow me to get me head around this group.
Any organization is only as good, only as "driven", only as focused, as it's "active" members wish it to be. PBS is going thru some subtle changes, to help us be a better organization for the members, and ultimately for bowhunting - as we see it - as a whole. There is a desire within our ranks (PBS) for us to be more than just a gathering for likeminded bowhunters. I think most of us realize now, that we need to be more visible, more active in showing the world who we are and what we stand for...or risk fading into history as some sort of footnote.
PBS ranks are filled with the "best of the best"...and yet we hesitate to step forward many times in a critical role for fear of losing perhaps the best thing about PBS - the fraternalism that really seems to be the glue that keeps us going. Unfortunately, that means that outside our ranks, many don't know about us, and enough time has passed and "other" organizations formed to make PBS lose some of it's attractiveness to other potential bowhunters. We have never worried about that, really, as PBS'ers have always believed that not all are PBS material and you can't "force" something on someone that never really "gets it" anyway. But we do recognize that times change and we must adapt. Hence the website, the forums, and other changes too. And we need new blood and new ideas. There are lots of Trad-gang members who most likely never have heard or checked out PBS. For some of those who haven't I would like to invite you to check out our "Journey of Challenge" website as well as the PBS's main website....and feel free to ask more questions about any of it.
I joined PBS many years ago to be able to share "my" bowhunting with likeminded friends...and I've never regretted it! The magazine, IMO, is worth the price of admission itself. Again, it's only as good as it's members contributions, but at times it rivals any magazine out there, and I guess I'm old fashioned enough to appreciate a good read in my hands vs. a computer screen. The banquets are among the best across the country, and members everywhere are stepping up and holding all sorts of events. And don't forget the youth.....
Enough already....check out this link and the video that is a PBS endeavor featured.
http://www.journeyofchallenge.com/
The PBS is a lot of things. Its a conservation group, its a lobby group for bowhunting rights and legislation, Yes, it is a group of like minded people. Its funny but G. Fred Asbell had an article in the latest TBM. The Title is "What's In It For Me?" Now, I haven't read the article completely, but it seems to be going the way of the inaction of some who may want to reap the benefits of the work of others. I for one try to join as many bowhunting, traditional bowhunting, conservation groups as I can because they're are the ones doing the work.
I had a guy complaining that NY is allowing Xbows. I asked him if he belongs to NY Bowhunters or any other group. He said no. I told him not to complain then.
Mark Baker...
Had I heard anything (like what you just posted)I probably would have signed up at Compton. Thank you.
My wife and I have participated and involved ourselves plenty throughout our lives but we don't involve ourselves in things that don't offer any benefit... not to ourselves but to the things we believe in.
I was not aware of any of the new things you mention and they are things that were needed IMO, because in years past, there wasn't anything of substance to make oneself aware of what this society was all about. Not that one could find, other than some comments here and there.
That's how I have seen it and I have seen it that way because of what I have been exposed to, or lack thereof, should I say.
Thanks so much for the link!!
Welcome new members and potential members. I agree that you can't join enough pro bowhunting organizations in order to protect our sport and guarantee our right to bowhunt for the next generations.
Mark, great post.
You're more than welcome for that link....and by the way, I'm sure there is someone more than willing to accept your membership still!
For years I was happy to just be among friends and feel like I was a part of something...but as I got older, and perhaps wiser (some my doubt it, though) I also began asking questions and demanding more from my organizations. In this day and age, there are so many to choose from, and most of us can't afford them all. One thing I know, is that over the years I have found (and as a result of belonging to PBS) that all those guys I "idolized" were really just like me...regular guys. And as we struggle to compete for a limited pool of potential members with other organizations, we need to "step up" a bit. It's far easier to take action from within an organization, than from the outside. And what better than to light a fire under the most experienced and dedicated bowhunters in the world? And they respond...as they have all their lives. These are already many of the movers and shakers that have fought for your opportunities all across the US and Canada and the World for that matter - on a local and state level, for decades. There simply is no better pool of experience anywhere. That is potential...that is power just waiting to be put to use...that is experience every member has a chance to tap into - and without ego or pretension in the way. That is PBS. But we admit we need new eyes, new ideas, new blood, and fresh energies. Join us, you won't regret it.
Well if nothing else hopefully PBS gets some folks taking a new or another look at what they've been doing lately. By reading posts here on Tradgang and many other groups I watch on facebook, traditional archery and especially bowhunting are slowly (but surely) growing. There is a generation (not specifically an age) of hunters becoming disillusioned with how "easy" hunting has become and are looking to get that spark back. Places like Tradgang and PBS are where they can and will feel less like they're the only people doing it - that they're not crazy. Throw in there the added benifit of learning from everyone things like field craft, ethics, techniques, conservation, etc. and the community as a whole benifits. I know when I found Tradgang it was like reaching an oasis, haha And with PBS I have a chance to give back in any way Im able to. Like someone said, it is probably not for everyone, and I don't see anyone any less for saying it isnt for them. We're all after the same thing and the trip there is unique for all of us, but as unique as it may be - places like PBS and Tradgang will ensure that the only time we're "alone" is when we want to be, in our stands and blinds. Haha Happy shooting all!
I have visited the PBS web page and can find no reference to the 50 pound minimum draw weight requirement they have promoted in the past . Is this still in force? I called their office and no one was available to take my call. I realize they could be closed for Labor Day. I have always hunted with 50 plus pounds at 28" but have recently gone down in weight. Now shooting, at 67 years of age, 47 to 50 pound bows. Just thought I would ask. :banghead:
Bill, the 50# minimum is for Qualified Regular Members only. It does not apply to the tier you start in as an Associate member.
It is an old, old rule that was put there to keep target archers from taking over as had happened to many clubs back in the 50s and 60s. We will be looking at modifying that rule along with another item or two in the next election.
I anyone calls the PBS office, just leave a message, they will get back to you.
Thanks Steve. I determined that, after my post, by reading the 1986 by-laws. Was a member once, but gave it up. No problem with the 50 pound draw weight limit, but didn't feel I could join every club I had an interest in at that time. Now that I have retired, I have more time but less money, so I have to be selective. Love the idea of supporting PBS efforts on behalf of archers world wide, but do think they should re-consider their 50 pound draw weight stance. Makes a non-regular member think he a wimp if he can't pull 50 pounds on game animals. I'll be hunting for the first time this year below 50, actually 48@28", but will probably join PBS in the near future. My hat is off to all who support this passion of ours called archery. :archer2: