There are some interesting points here. What it all boils down to is you need to be an ambassador for the sport. The love goes far beyond even the product. Sure, shooting great may help and taking a record breaker would help, but the majority get sponsorships by giving back to the sport. This may mean joining a local club and /or sitting on the board for the club. It may also mean volunteering for 4H programs. It may mean helping those that need it at a local archery range. The more you start to give back to the sport, the more you become involved in the archery community. Thus the more you will receive in return

Remember that even with the variety of archery products that are out there, you are dealing with a very small industry where paths have crossed many times. So if you look further it does boil down to who you know, and what longlasting impression you made on the individual you crossed paths with.

I don't buy the issue where all prostaffers huntprivate land and have had everything given to them because of who they know. That topic does not even deserve to be involved here. There are some that have managed to harvest almost exclusively on public land and have spent over 100 days(including partial days) a yeareither scouting or sleeping under the stars in the back countryjust to find what they are looking for, have never hired a guide, and who travel around at their own expense just because they love bowhunting so much. These individuals have given all they had, and even paid the high price of even losing their family in their persuits.(don't ask why I know this)

Bowhunting for some is just a hobby, while others it is a driven passion that will never die. Days on end are spent in preperation for the big moment. These are the people that can give credit to a product that they can believe in. These are the people that will carry the word for the company that they have formed a working relationship with. These are the people who show what the most hard core hunters use in the field. In return the company will make sure that their staffer is taken care of as these are the people who will make the product known.

If you don't go into a sponsorship with the I will scratch your back, while you scratch mine mentality, then you are selfish and doing the company a great disservice.

I have had the fortunate experience of meeting manypeople in my travels. It is awesome to get to know people in other parts of the country. Once the ball gets rolling, it keeps on going from there. The reason that I have had good fortune is not because I was lucky enough to meet the right people. But because I was lucky enough to be part of such a great lifestyle in which I have no regrets. If you look at the sacrifices, the items that you get in return for your hard workare far from free.

Sterotyping has been quite evident in some of the posts that have been made. I wish that it were not this way. There are people out there who give everything they have to not only give back to the sport, but also to those that help them in their persuits. Just remember before getting involved with any company, its a 2 way street. Please be more kind in the wording that is used and don't lump everyone into one pot. There are many who are just like you and love everything there is to love about the great outdoors.

Chad

Hoyt National Shooting Staff
Wilderness Athlete Prostaff
Trophy Taker Shooting Staff
Stealth Archery Shooting Staff
Idaho Outdoor Outfitters Pro Staff
Other sponsors:
ASAT
Leupold
Badlands Packs
Kenetrek Boots
Under Armour