With the recent hunting legislation and lack of democratic process in the state of New York, I wanted to know which organizations are the most productive in fighting for the bowhunter? I was a member of our state organization for a year but honestly feel as though the DEC has been able to tune them out. I wanted to know if there was anything else out there with power and influence to stick up for Bowhunting seasons.
Usually national organizations don't get involved with the state legislations. That generally is up to your state bowhunting organization. In MD our organization, the Maryland Bowhunting Society, successfully lobbied for Sunday hunting in several counties. It was done by members contacting delegates, showing up in large numbers to testify at hearings, and basically taking on the legislators.
The nationals, PBS, Comptons, and Pope and Young are worthwhile to belong to just to keep your ear to the ground as to what is happening nationwide. I know the three have been involved in promoting bowhunting and standing up for bowhunters but on a national level, most recently in discussions of limiting technology in bowhunting.
QuoteOriginally posted by reddogge:
Usually national organizations don't get involved with the state legislations. That generally is up to your state bowhunting organization.
The nationals, PBS, Comptons, and Pope and Young are worthwhile to belong to just to keep your ear to the ground as to what is happening nationwide. I know the three have been involved in promoting bowhunting and standing up for bowhunters but on a national level, most recently in discussions of limiting technology in bowhunting.
agreed, in Arkansas our state bowhunting assn. has become more tournament oriented than hunting, we are kinda left hanging like it sounds you are
your own state bowhunting organization! first and foremost, join at home and help out!
past that, the ones mentioned by reddogge are great choices. bowhunting has and will continue to come under fire. get in there and fight
NYB is the only organization fighting for bowhunters rights in NY. What makes the DEC feel they can do whatever they want in archery season ? It's the 99 percent of bowhunters who do nothing to let them know otherwise . We are all volunteers who donate countless hours and our own money to stand up for all the bowhunters in the state. The list of accomplishments that we have made happen is long and enjoyed by every bowhunter in the state but most have no idea and never lifted a finger to help. If you are interested in joining the fight PM me we need a rep in Region 9 and the reward will outweigh the commitment . I (we) look forward to your help.
Everyone should belong to their state organization, period. After that join any other group you believe in. I belong to PBS and MTBH.
QuoteOriginally posted by habujohn:
Everyone should belong to their state organization, period. After that join any other group you believe in. I belong to PBS and MTBH.
I agree with this^^^. Esp if you are not in a position to help out/participate. At least be a member, and make the group a larger number.
Bisch
State Orgs are the grass roots. Be a member if you can.
Joining is the first step but don't send your dues in and think you have done everything you can to protect your archery season. You should be attending local meetings and watching what you your game departments are doing. You should be contacting your local and state representive and educating them about archery . You will need to write emails and letters make phone calls and possibly travel to your state capital. If everyone does a little it's easy but when only a few carry everyone it's tough .
Michigan is fortunate to have several archery organizations. The Michigan Bow Hunters seems to take the lead in the state capital. They stay on top of most legislation that pertains to the DNR in our state and keeps us informed in our news letter as to what is going on.
I'm a member of the NY Bowhunters and have read what they are trying to accomplish in NY, along with the DEC's actions.
It seems to me that the DEC (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation) has a function which is beyond the specifics of bowhunting. In certain areas (and one is in the area where I live) the deer are seriously overpopulating. And, frankly, bowhunters are not going to fix the problem since they only take about 15% of the deer.
I agree with NY Bowhunters that the New DEC rules for our area won't accomplish the task of reducing deer numbers, but, I suspect more serious population control regulations will be in our future. These regulations will likely involve different types of hunting during those time slots previously allocated exclusively to bowhunters.
For so many years we've been very fortunate to have the rut during our season. But, there's nothing written in stone saying it has to remain that way.
The solution is to kill more deer before the cars do. And, frankly, that ain't easy!!
QuoteOriginally posted by Wapiti Chaser:
NYB is the only organization fighting for bowhunters rights in NY. What makes the DEC feel they can do whatever they want in archery season ? It's the 99 percent of bowhunters who do nothing to let them know otherwise . We are all volunteers who donate countless hours and our own money to stand up for all the bowhunters in the state. The list of accomplishments that we have made happen is long and enjoyed by every bowhunter in the state but most have no idea and never lifted a finger to help. I (we) look forward to your help.
You have to support your own States bowhunting organization. It is well worth the small dues. There is power in numbers to help support NYB!! In a state like NY I am sure it is critical to show strength in numbers. :help:
Nationally check out Compton, PBS and P&Y
Do your best to support your State org. That may mean stirring up new membership. The Iowa Bowhunters Assn. is one of the, if not "the" strongest bowhunting, deer hunting and conservation lobbies in our State. It takes a quality group of members to keep the train on the track. You need good people who are willing to get political and make the contacts when needed. If any Iowa TG members are interested in joining and have any questions, feel free to PM me.
I hunt out of state a lot. I try to join the state biwhunting organization of the state I will be hunting each year. Some are definitely better than others. For example, I've hunted in Wyoming enough and am so impressed with what they do, I became a life member of the Bowhunters of Wyoming. It is very important to support the groups that support biwhunting.
I'm a lifetime member of my state org. Highly recommend it! I like Steve O's strategy!
I have been an officer in one of our state's bowhunting associations for the past seven years and it is very frustrating to personally know dozens of bowhunters who are not members and to have members who do not participate in any club activities. We just lost the crossbow battle and I strongly think that if more bowhunters would have participated in the cause the outcome would have been different.
Darren
I joined my state bowhunting assoc in 1983 to help fight the xgun crowd... After exactly 30 years in 2013, they infiltrated and overtook changes in the bylaws for acceptance and conquered the reason I joined to begin 30 some years ago... Left a very bitter taste in my mouth, and doubt I'll ever join another bowhunting organization again... I'm done with organizations...
As a guy who spends a lot of time in the capitol building I can tell you that joining your state org is a good move. I don't always win but I cannot ever win without the numbers behind the cause. You will not always see the results you want by just being a member but trust me it helps.
Steve O is a great example of someone who supports Bowhunting around the nation. He follows it and he helps me often see or think in a different view so I can present it to the State orgs more efficiently.
I'm constantly amazed and appalled by the number of guys who claim to be hard core bowhunters, but won't join or support the organizations who preserve the sport. Lots of excuses out there but none that stand up to scrutiny.
Some say I can't afford it. Huh? Most state organizations have dues of $25- $35 a year. Most of us piss that much away on stuff like soda at a gas station in a couple weeks. Don't likw what the organization is doing or stands for? You can't change that unless you join and work it.
Get out there and do something!
I for one am not a member of my state's bowhunting organization. Nor will I support them as long as they support the crossbow.
It is crucial to join your State Bowhunting organization. The grassroots level of involvement is vital to protect and preserve your bowhunting legacy. New York Bowhunters, Inc. acts on behalf of EVERY bowhunter within NYS, not just its' members. When we visit legislators either in the Capitol or in their district offices, we are donating our time and energy to a cause that we feel very deeply about. I have personally travelled to 13 different Counties to meet with Legislators to discuss bowhunting related issues and/or Bills.
We are facing a Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) that is antagonistic towards bowhunters, and in my opinion to all sportsmen throughout the state. They have their agenda and seem not to care what anyone thinks. It is only with numbers that things can change. When less than 2% of all licensed bowhunters belong to the State organization, it's pretty sad. what's sadder is that that other 98% act surprised when the DEC unleashes another debacle.
dnovo - Curious if MO accepts xbows as archery equipment and allows them during MO's archery season? If not is your state organization fighting to keep them out?
Your state org is the #1 place to belong, if you care at all about your hunting opportunities. That is where the fight is....and the national orgs...although they are good too, offer little besides "example" for state and local fights.
I am a life member of both my state orgs...have served on their boards and as president of each. This is the ONE place where your membership can make a difference! If you don't agree with the direction your state org is going, get involved and make a change! You may have to pick a fight, make some noise, etc. but it is a place where individuals can make huge differences. And it's not about numbers as much as being smart and having a plan. Every bowhunter who enjoys the outdoors OWES their opportunities to those who fought hard to get them...and every bowhunter should feel responsible for maintaining and caring for those same opportunities. The small cost of joining is less than a round of beers after work...and the investment is better!
I agree that the state organizations give the most direct "bang for the buck." I've been president of the United Bowhunters of Illinois 3 times and on the board another 2 or 3 times. We split off of Illinois' state bowhunting group back in 1995 because we didn't feel they represented our more traditional interests well. We later became an all traditional organization. After 20 years we are today the only organized state bowhunting group in Illinois. We are very active in efforts to protect and continue the bowhunting traditions that are important to us. And, yes, I really wish more trad bowhunters would join us and get involved.
If you don't have a state bowhunting group that you feel represents you well, there is nothing stopping you from creating one. We did, and it has been very successful over the years.
Guys....here is a link to an article Fred wrote on the subject. Guys like Fred are the reason I volunteer, and why I'm a governor for the MBH.
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/AsbellMember_zpshnieayku.jpg) (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/rnorris/media/AsbellMember_zpshnieayku.jpg.html)
http://gfredasbell.com/g-fred-asbell-article-1.php
trad gang is the one, #'s, bring trad archers together, education only thing missing is lobbying which can be done as a secondary process.
Tim, respectfully I disagree. While it's important for all of us to "get together", and discuss among ourselves...action is where we fail. Talk is cheap and easy. Action is hard, takes time, takes dedication, takes money (a lot of it) and that is precisely why we need to support state organizations.
Most individuals I know involved in the meat and potatoes of "taking care" of our opportunities do it for nothing more than feeling responsible and caring for it all. No fanfare....most are unsung heroes.
One critique I have with big organization....and I'll say it here, especially the traditionally oriented ones - I won't name them - is that they are afraid to "rock the boat". They want to be big touchy-feely fun places to gather. Fraternal, they like to call it. That's great, and there is need for that....but it doesn't tackle the chores of dealing with your opportunities at all! And without those, we have nothing.
Get involved in your state orgs. Make some waves, take a stand, gather your forces and make something happen...it's easier than you think.
One more thing, and I'll get off the soapbox, but this idea that we are all one big family of hunters fighting together for our opportunities is BUNK. I've heard it my whole adult life and can't recall but a couple isolated instances where unity ever helped. We are at war with ourselves....an industry of hunting....and our own selfish motives. There are the issues that are imperative to maintaining this hunting style we enjoy for future generations (and it isn't freedom to do whatever you choose, either) and taking the right stand on these things takes guts and good knowledge...and you are likely to make some enemies doing so, but it has to be done. And take heart, that those "big tent" folks that like to preach thusly...don't care about YOUR feelings if it infringes on their own plans. So do what YOU feel is best and keep the future in mind. Know that by getting involved in any way, puts you in a huge minority, as most folks will never take that first easy step.
And remember, Fraternalism is fun, but it happens regardless. We can gather around a turd and discuss it's qualities, and we are being fraternal. It's no reason to belong to an organization, if you are looking to find one that gives you the most "bang" for your buck.
Mark Baker nailed it. And he has the experience to back it up