North American Bowhunting Coalition
2006 Meeting Update
by Jen Sager  

This past August I had the opportunity to combine some pleasure with business and attended the NABC annual meeting held at the Pope and Young Headquarters in Chatfield, MN.

The NABC was formed a little over a year ago, and since that time has been active in responding to several issues relating to bowhunting.   The first and the most recognized by the bowhunting industry, was the anti crossbow position that the NABC took upon its inception.  Although not well received by some industry associations, the position is simply, “crossbows are not bows and therefore they should not be allowed in bowhunting only seasons, except where the states already have exemptions for qualified physical disabilities”.
Nationwide update on crossbows in archery season;
1) Louisiana – Crossbow legislation/regulation died in committee
2) Florida – Crossbow kept out of archery season. Crossbow permitted on private land only.
3) Kentucky – Crossbow bill voted down this past March.  Will go before regulatory committee, where if no action, will be considered a passage.
4) Pennsylvania – Crossbow proposed for Urban Deer Management by PGC.
5) Many states still do not allow crossbows for any person.

Something to Ponder:
Do the physically challenged support allowing crossbows into archery seasons for everyone?
From a quadriplegic man,
“It’s sort of like these guys taking my parking spot at the supermarket.”

The NABC has recently addressed the attempt by The World Hunting Association (WHA) to launch a competitive televised show where “professional hunters” will compete with one another for $600,000 in prize money by “hunting” deer, and other animals in a 1200 acre high fence enclosure. The hunting itself will be carried out with drug laden darts from guns, or bows which will tranquilize the animal upon being hit.
There are many issues surrounding this event, the most important is that this is NOT hunting.  It is a game that will harm the image of hunting and the dedicated hunter.  In addition, experts in veterinary medicine know that tranquilizing animals with sedatives is not a fool proof game.  Some things to consider for this type of “hunting” should include type of sedative, dosage, ballistic damage to animals, etc…   WHA has not provided any evidence that they are pursuing actions that are in the best interest of the game animal, let alone the image of hunting.   Follow Up after the NABC Meeting  – Several organizations, including the NABC, issued letters of “rejection” to this endeavor which has resulted in the WHA announcing that they will not pursue this type of hunting, at this time.
 

Another item of discussion at the NABC meeting was that of high fence hunting.  There surely was distinct opposition from those NABC member organizations in attendance, however a few others raised some very good questions.  In South Dakota there is the Custer State Park which encompasses 23,000 acres.  The State Park just happens to have a fence around.  Should this situation be considered high fence hunting?  Currently, fair chase bowhunting is conducted inside the enclosure.  This is a good example of some issues not being “cut and dry”.  Watch for a NABC press release on this issue.

During the 1 ½ day NABC meeting several good presentations were given, these included Rick Story, from the USSA.  Rick informed us that PETA, its name well known throughout the hunting community and an adversary to hunting, is not bowhunting’s main anti hunting threat.   The Human Society of the United States, however, is a force to be wary of.  This organization of 300 employees has a budget of 95 million dollars.    This anti hunting entity has a team of eight in-house lawyers to pursue legal actions, in small to large communities, to curtail hunting.   Last year their effort almost cost Florida its bear hunting rights.
Roy Grimes of the NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program) reported that 39 states currently have the program, and by the end of 2006 NASP will be 42 states strong.
This program will expose 361,000 kids to archery this year.   Archery is now a sanctioned sport in the Kentucky school system.   Of the NASP attendees 27% have reported that they have purchased archery equipment; 69% of the purchases are bows and arrows.

The next NABC meeting will be at the Pope & Young Convention in April 2007.
For information on the NABC please visit www.nabowhuntingcoalition.com

Many bowhunters, like me that is before this trip, have never been to the Pope and Young Museum.  Situated on a hillside in Chatfield, MN, about an hour and a half southeast of Minneapolis, the museum is quite impressive.  It is home to many historically significant bows, arrows and bowhunting implements.  In addition, the mounts…. they are certainly spectacular, and I bet many of them provided incredible hunts, along with interesting stories.  If you are ever in the area, the museum is certainly worth taking the time to visit.