Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Advocacy, Agencies, Access => Topic started by: CarbonHunter on February 16, 2024, 06:29:23 PM

Title: Washington State Bowhunters Association
Post by: CarbonHunter on February 16, 2024, 06:29:23 PM: Did the WSB association fold? I got an email today saying my automatic payment to them has been canceled and their website seems to be shutdown.

Did I miss something? Obviously I wasn’t a very active member but I always like to support the groups that support our interests.
Title: Re: Washington State Bowhunters Association
Post by: hughjorgan on February 16, 2024, 06:41:53 PM: Yes, they are done. They sent out their last issue stating something about the state changed the laws/rules on non profits. They also shutdown their website.
Title: Re: Washington State Bowhunters Association
Post by: high_hunter on February 16, 2024, 06:48:31 PM: Were they a separate entity from Washington State Archery Association? WSAA looks alive and well if you're looking to support similar groups:

https://www.washingtonstatearchery.com/

https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateArcheryAssociation

-HH
Title: Re: Washington State Bowhunters Association
Post by: hughjorgan on February 16, 2024, 07:07:11 PM: I believe WSAA is all we have left. It has a hunting component to it and I do believe they represent hunters on the GMAC which is important for season setting.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/about/advisory/gmac/gmac-member-list.pdf
Title: Re: Washington State Bowhunters Association
Post by: bearpaw on February 16, 2024, 07:20:23 PM: Quote from: hughjorgan on February 16, 2024, 06:41:53 PM
Yes, they are done. They sent out their last issue stating something about the state changed the laws/rules on non profits. They also shutdown their website.

very sorry to hear that
Title: Re: Washington State Bowhunters Association
Post by: Katmai Guy on February 16, 2024, 08:12:08 PM: That sucks, WSB seemed to be the major voice for bowhunters of the state when it came to dealing with WDFW. Things might go south from here on out.
Title: Re: Washington State Bowhunters Association
Post by: high_hunter on February 16, 2024, 09:53:53 PM: Wasn't aware of their role or advocacy effects. Bummer, that sucks to hear then.
Title: Re: Washington State Bowhunters Association
Post by: Special T on February 16, 2024, 11:08:38 PM: Quote from: hughjorgan on February 16, 2024, 07:07:11 PM
I believe WSAA is all we have left. It has a hunting component to it and I do believe they represent hunters on the GMAC which is important for season setting.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/about/advisory/gmac/gmac-member-list.pdf

The hunting VP sits on the GMAC and participated in the allocation meeting
Title: Re: Washington State Bowhunters Association
Post by: hughjorgan on February 17, 2024, 12:53:58 AM: Quote from: high_hunter on February 16, 2024, 09:53:53 PM
Wasn't aware of their role or advocacy effects. Bummer, that sucks to hear then.

They were the reason we have archery seasons in Washington.

Quote from: Special T on February 16, 2024, 11:08:38 PM
Quote from: hughjorgan on February 16, 2024, 07:07:11 PM
I believe WSAA is all we have left. It has a hunting component to it and I do believe they represent hunters on the GMAC which is important for season setting.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/about/advisory/gmac/gmac-member-list.pdf

The hunting VP sits on the GMAC and participated in the allocation meeting

This is where I’ll put my money from now on.
Title: Re: Washington State Bowhunters Association
Post by: Special T on February 17, 2024, 01:07:59 AM: A little background on the history of the 3 bow hunting organizations WSAA was the first organizations reping archers. In the late 60s early 70s traditional archers split off because they wanted a separate season or areas like Oregon has.they are TBW.. WSB split off because they thought WSAA was too focused on target shooting. I cant remember when that was but I'm guessing 80s. They were quite active for a long time but had a lot of life members and not much recruitment. Most of the archery clubs belong to WSAA. They organize a state wide shoot schedual, tournaments, and help clubs certified courses for insurance. I know the WSAA hunting VP talks with the TBW president regularly about hunting issues and seem to be aligned on thinking. Hope that info helps.
Title: Re: Washington State Bowhunters Association
Post by: CarbonHunter on February 17, 2024, 09:18:32 AM: Shame to lose them but I know they were lacking individuals who would actually volunteer. This is an issue with a lot of the organizations that support hunting.

We send lots of money to the cause through PR taxes and the money we donate but without people participating in person these organizations will slowly disappear.

The anti’s aren’t defeating the hunters because they have more funding it’s because they show up and are on the side of the liberals who have the power.

It sounds like the groups got diluted because individuals wanted a more direct focus on a specific topic. I think we need to focus on staying together and having a larger voice.
Title: Washington State Bowhunters Association
Post by: dreamingbig on February 17, 2024, 11:53:45 AM: Too many bowhunters have given up/are hunting out of state/ have moved out of state. The bowhunting seasons here are not appealing to most. They have been diluted so much the past decade that there is hardly anything left.

I could give examples but most don’t care to hear how much opportunity archery hunters have lost.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Washington State Bowhunters Association
Post by: CarbonHunter on February 17, 2024, 05:14:26 PM: Quote from: dreamingbig on February 17, 2024, 11:53:45 AM
Too many bowhunters have given up/are hunting out of state/ have moved out of state. The bowhunting seasons here are not appealing to most. They have been diluted so much the past decade that there is hardly anything left.

I could give examples but most don’t care to hear how much opportunity archery hunters have lost.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I 100% agree that the loss of opportunity has chased bowhunters away. I stopped bowhunting in Washington the 2nd year it was permit only for cow elk in the Yakima area. It’s now easier to get a cow tag in Montana (though far more expensive) as a nonresident than it is to get the opportunity as a resident in Washington, and Ben with a bow.
Title: Re: Washington State Bowhunters Association
Post by: SuperX on February 17, 2024, 05:34:02 PM: :yeah: