What does IBO do for bowhunting?
 

Just curious here, but what exactly does the IBO do for bowhunting these days?

This quote is from the IBO website homepage...

But as I surf their site, probably 90%+ of what I see is 3D stuff (rules, schedules, events, etc.). so where' s the " bowhunting" part of the organization?

At its inception, the NFAA was a strong voice for bowhunters. Unfortunately, it wasn' t too long before it turned into just another paper-punching organization. Now, all I' ve seen out of the IBO is foam-punching target stuff.

Without trying to be insulting, I' d like to know exactly what the " International Bowhunting Organization" actually does for bowhunting. If I have absolutely no interest in competing at IBO sanctioned events, why would I, a bowhunter, join the IBO?

Respectfully,

JRW

RE: What does IBO do for bowhunting?
 

If , I may give you just what I know about this, IBO is helping to support The Archery in Schools program in Kentucky , and from what I understand possibly other states will be added, This program is giving schools kids a chance to enjoy and learn about NFAA type archery shoots but foremost keeping our youth in the mood of thinking about bowhunting, IBO supports others who are defending your rights to hunt with archery equiptment, the many IBO members you will find have much to do with bowhunting organizations and clubs that promote 3-D shoots and host bowhunter safety classes, There are many more that I know others will be adding but have you checked out the Bowhunting forum on this site??

RE: What does IBO do for bowhunting?
 

Thanks for the response. I know that many people who are members of the IBO are involved in bowhunting. But, that' s not really the same as saying what the organization itself does. For example, I' m a member of our local archery club, and also own a beagle. This doesn' t mean that our local archery club has anything to do with raising hounds. :)

I like what you' ve told me that they do in KY. That sounds like something at least. I just find it very disheartening when I look at an organization that claims to be founded for the betterment of bowhunting, and yet what I see is mostly a group that sanctions target competitions, with a grain or two of bowhunting thrown in for good measure.

I may be wrong though, and I hope I am. But, when I look at other " bowhunting organizations" I can see exactly what they' re doing, and were their priorities lie. With the IBO, much like the NFAA, it appears they are more concerned with tournaments than supporting hunting archers. Like I said though, I could be way off base here. Maybe the IBO does do a lot for bowhunting and just doesn' t publicize it?

JRW

RE: What does IBO do for bowhunting?
 

Hi JRW,

Very few of us own the 20-30 acres of land, or have 30-40 3D targets to set up our own private 3D course. We band together in small clubs to set up meets 2-3 times a year. We form Leagues, so we can benefit from being able to shoot under the different conditions of another club. Then we have the qualifiers meets and finally the championships themselves. At each level we use rules and regulations that allow us to compare our scores with each other, and to measure in some manner our improvement. They add structure to our Hunting Practice through these rules. That doesn' t mean they are always right, after all they still want to insist that three under is bad and split is good. (grin)

The Officers of IBO meet Business CEO' s, Conservation Officers, Game Officials, and politicians on our behalf. I have no doubt they influence favorable and positive improvements in game laws and harvest regulations. They perform, what often must seem like, a thankless job.

JMHO gg

RE: What does IBO do for bowhunting?
 

JRW

I could add to some of the comments that have already been made both on the positive and the negative side. I think that the first response should be from the people who conduct the business daily of the IBO and give them the opportunity to answer your question.

A personal question that I might ask would be with the number of previous post that you are credited with what prompted you to pose these questions at this time?

RE: What does IBO do for bowhunting?
 

Fasstfletch,

Honest question. I' ve stayed away from this forum for quite some time now (the IBO one anyway). On another site, folks were arguing about trad shooters and 25 yards versus 35 yards. So, I thought I' d pop in here and take a peek.

From the looks of things, some of the " higher-ups" from the IBO frequent this forum. I figured it' d be a good place to pose the question and receive a response.

JRW

RE: What does IBO do for bowhunting?
 

Well JRW,
The shooting side of the organization generates almost all of the dollars for the things that we are able to do for the sport.
Let me see, the organization was founded entirely upon a bowhunting premise. But it was founded by the three clubs that began the triple crown championship. An original intent was to provide a competitive forum for 3D competition to gain the popularity and prestige they felt was possible for a game that was so much a passion for them.
They also felt that the type of 3D competition shot at their game was a good way to get more bowhunters out to play,thus increasing their skills as archers. That alone makes them better hunters.
With the implementation of the actual 3-D type targets and the correct placement for the scoring rings those same bowhunters would therefore learn a better understanding of shot placement.
But that is shooting competition and what has IBO done for Bowhunting?
Well lets go backwards:
As mentioned we are pretty proud of the " Archery in the Schools Program" in Kentucky. Been able to help a little with that. Now there are 104 schools with the program and the results are beyond anyones wildest hope. The programs effect on the students participation in school other than at archery class has been so strong that it has been a major factor in the spread of the program. It has been implemented in Alabama,Georgia and Arizona. Kentucky has been contacted by every single state in the country to find out how to do it.
We have been able to offer a little assistance to that program.

We are involved with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry. This ministry has the concept of bringing the hunter full circle to that of provider for the needy. Ever gone to bed hungry? Hunters are providing venison to help in the feeding of the hungry. Got a couple things going on with that. Pretty solid support for Bowhunting.

We are working with the US Sportsmans Alliance on a couple bills that will go a long way to provide a little support for Bowhunting.
One of these bills provides some serious guidelines for these immunocontraceptive studies that are cropping up around the country.

The second bill changes the way animal rights terrorism is viewed by the law.

We have supplied financial support to a couple dozen state level bills that would have affected bowhunting.These are sometimes referred to as ballot initiatives.

We have been involved the litigation of actions that we felt would be detrimental to bowhuntings future.

We produce materials that provide information that can be used to fight anti-bowhunting actions on a local level. Most of the time we have to produce these materials from information available but not compiled.

We have a little scholarship program in conjunction with Hocking College. Last year at the Third Leg of the National Championship and again at the World Championship we gave away college scholarships to the youth and cub classes.
That programs worth was $272,000. That was last year. Yes that number is right.

That is a simple summation of some of the things that we have been involved with lately.
There are some non-competitve members of IBO. But by and large the stuff above has been paid for by the 3-D Shooters. They have carried the burden for all of us. I' m kinda proud of them.
Thats why the web site has a lot to do with 3-D.
You asked why you should join IBO.Hopefully this will help get you toward joining. My question is to you, since you are so well informed, how come you don' t know what we have been doing? We publish it all in Bowhunting World Magazine,(our newsletter)
You mentioned publicizing the things that we do better. Costs money to do that. Spend it on publicity, don' t have it for things that we need to do. Catch 22.
But the biggest problem with spending it is that as Bowhunters almost none of them take the time to read it anyway. Until they read in their paper that they are going to lose hunting in their backyard.
ken12

RE: What does IBO do for bowhunting?
 

If I' m not mistaken, allot of the financial reports as well as other things that IBO has done and will be doing is all published in the IBO members yearbook.

The yearbook contains allot of great information to all of us IBO members.

As Ken said it' s also put in Bowhunting World Magazine (free subscription to all members) for all viewers to read.

If I' m not mistaken the IBO is very involved with Safari Club International too.

RE: What does IBO do for bowhunting?
 

Ken,

Thank you for the response. It was going so well until you came to this...

1) How many different bowhunting magazines are out there? Should I buy them all?

2) Since I' m not an IBO member, and you folks don' t seem to think that bowhunting issues are a worthy topic to devote web space to...how would I be " informed" ? You can' t stand in virtual silence and then complain when folks don' t hear you.

Why then is it not a problem to spend it on 3D shooting stuff on your web site? It would seem that if the purpose of your organization is to " promote, encourage and foster the sport of bowhunting" , you would actually devote some web space to this cause. I' m not talking about buying 4 color spread display ads in magazines. I' m talking about putting something on your web site that says " Hey...this is what the IBO is doing for bowhunting!!!" .

I mean no disrespect here, but when I can go to your web site and see what the IBO is doing with FITA, and who shot what at some tournament last year...but I can' t find out how you' re actually living up to your mission statement...something' s terribly wrong with the scenario.

JRW

RE: What does IBO do for bowhunting?
 

JRW:
Ken (BowPro) hit most of the major points to answer your sweeping question, but I wanted to point out a few specifics.
First, the most obvious reason why you see " 90% 3-D Stuff" being discussed on the forum right now is because we' re approaching the busy part of that season--stay around, and you' ll see plenty of bowhunting after the World is finished in August.
Second, as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, there are certain limitations on what the IBO can and cannot do with respect to lobbying on the state and federal levels--which is why it directs tens of thousands of Bowhunter Defense dollars to specific pro-hunter causes being lobbied for by groups like USSA and SCI--and to fight anti-hunting initiatives on state ballots since the early 90s.
But, beyond that, there are countless instances of the IBO quietly promoting, protecting and furthering bowhunting that most members never see--or never hear about. It seems like every few weeks I hear from a bowhunter or club faced with losing bowhunting (or simply archery shooting) privileges in a town or municipality -- and they don' t know how to deal with a city council or county commission to retain their rights. The " how-to guide" the IBO produced a few years ago How To Fight City Hall, has been used successfully in these cases across the country. (In fact, I also personally " coach" some of them over the phone on what to do)
The IBO has also been a major promoter of expanding " urban bowhunting" across the midwest and northeast, providing data and background to clubs and municipalites to increase opportunites for bowhunters.
As a further example, just next week, on behalf of IBO, I am giving a presentation and speech at the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference which encourages the expansion of bowhunting as a managment (and recreational) option on US Corps of Engineers lands and those managed by the National Military Fish and Wildlife Agency.
Beyond that, JRW, it is important to note that what the IBO does NOT DO for bowhunting, is as important as what it DOES for bowhunting. While continually working toward furthering bowhunting opportunities, IBO does NOT involve itself in state issues which sometimes call for restrictions in equipment or in limitations for non-resident bowhunters. While these issues may be more " high profile" than many of the IBO' s more quiet actions (and may be why you asked your question in te first place), such issues may only serve as devisive, rather than achieve the IBO' s goal as outlined in its statement of purpose " ...to adhere to the basic ideal of the unification of bowhunters."