POLITICALLY ACTIVE
Working with Legislation and State Officials…
Since its formation, the KBA has worked with the KDWP&T to establish the first archery antelope season, a fall archery turkey season, extending shooting hours, multiple permits, legal harvest of bullfrogs with bow and arrow, and introducing/co-sponsoring the International Bowhunter Education Program statewide.
Our “Bounty Against Poaching” program has gained national recognition, as well as serving as a standard for other sportsmen’s organizations within our state.
The KBA has been actively involved in fighting the anti-hunting movement. Along with monitoring this movement in Kansas, we have been active in several other states through monetary donations. The KBA is a member of, and supports the U.S. Sportmen’s Alliance. This organization is the single most important collection of bowhunting defenders in the nation.
For up-to-date information concerning any alert to legislation in the State of Kansas that could affect our hunting rights, please click on the following links…
www.kslegislature.org
www.kdwp.state.ks.us
• That I will use legal archery equipment and will search long and diligently to track down and recover any wounded game.
Each year, our members enjoy a series of summer programs or shoots. The new year begins with a Bunny Hunt in March. Traditionally, members return to Cheyenne Bottoms, where it all began for a weekend of camping, shooting, and hunting cottontails. In May or June, you can join us for a Prairie Dog Shoot. Try your hand at taking a speedy, alert prairie dog with a bow and arrow and you’ll soon understand the meaning of a challenge. During June and July, it’s off tot he rivers and lakes to seek out rough fish with a bow. Carp, buffalo, and gar are the primary targets. You can wade, walk the banks, or shoot from a watercraft. August you will find members gathering for the Annual Rendezvous. Camping, shooting, and browsing vendor displays break up the many conversations about hunting trips and the upcoming hunting seasons.
Conservation also takes priority with the KBA. Since 1993 and flood that came with it, KBA members have planted thousands of trees to replace lost habitat. Glen Elder Reservoir, Tuttle Creek, Wilson lake, Cedar Bluff, Texas Lake Wildlife Area, and others have benefitted from these efforts.
Anti-Poacher Reward Fund:
The KBA created the Anti-poacher Reward Fund in 1975. The program has gained national recognition as well as served as a standard for other sportsmen’s organizations within our state. The program initially paid $100.00 (we have since raised that amount up to $500.00) to any individual that provided information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons poaching or illegally possessing big game. (All KBA members and law enforcement officials are exempt from the reward.) To date, 33 rewards have been paid out for a total of $4,000.00 dollars.
KBA Decoy Program:
The KBA Decoy Program was started in 1986 to contribute money or actual big game decoys to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Each year a different region is designated to receive a contribution, so that the decoys are spread throughout the state. These decoys have been used by the KDWP in literally hundreds of convictions against wildlife offenders. To date, the KBA has donated $11,550.00 to have approximately 50 decoys made.
Conservation Day:
Conservation Day was initiated in 1994 because the KBA wanted to put something back into nature rather than just taking from it. The idea of purchasing trees and getting together as an organization and planting them in worthy areas was implemented. Not only is this a very worthy cause, it gives our members a very strong sense of well being and pride. It is also an excuse to get together as a group and have a great time. We are the first, and at this time, the only state organization that has a program like this. So far we have spent over $10,000.00 to plant over 200,000 bare root seedlings and 50,000 stratified seeds on public wildlife areas around the state of Kansas. In 1995 the KBA was named Conservation Organization of the Year by the Kansas State Forestry Association.
International Bowhunter Education Program:
The KBA has been very active in the International Bowhunter Education Program since its beginning. We have many certified volunteer instructors in our membership who teach several classes each year. We strongly support education in every form and feel that Bowhunter Ed is especially important to our youth of today. We feel that there is a tremendous amount of knowledge and skill required to become a proficient bowhunter and that safety should never be compromised at any time, especially in order to just receive a license.
KBA Scholarship Program:
At the annual banquet in 2007 the KBA awarded its first annual scholarship. Each year The Kansas Bowhunters Association Scholarship Program presents a scholarship of $500.00 to a KBA member or a dependent of a member. This sum is payable to the college that the student chooses upon proof of enrollment. Some of the Criteria involves, Act or SAT results, grade point average, volunteer activities, a paper on conservation and bowhunting, and bonus points for conservation major or minor/ and outdoor interests or bowhunting experience.
Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America:
The KBA has been a very large and active supporter of the Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America. The PCBA was formed in 1993 to assist disabled individuals learn how to use a bow and arrow and to enable them to get back into the outdoors and hunt. The PCBA is a national 501C3 organization that is comprised of over 700 members throughout North America. That organization is a clearinghouse for information and hands on help for disabled persons. It has helped thousands of people become active in bowhunting, which in turn has literally saved many lives. The KBA came on board helping the PCBA in its infancy and became a model for other state organizations to follow. Not only has the KBA donated $4350.00 dollars to this fine organization, many of the KBA members have personally attended several of the PCBA activities and hunts just to help out at their own expense. The KBA has twice been named Organization of the Year by the PCBA.
Judy Kovar Hunting Heritage School Program:
For several years the KBA has donated to Judy Kovar’s Hunting Heritage Schools Program. Each year Judy goes around to different schools in the country and shows students many different traits, habits, and heritage of the Native Americans. She brings along animal hides, primitive bows and arrows, clothing, etc. so the children can touch and feel the different cultures of the Native American Indian. The KBA has donated $3650.00 dollars to Judy and her program.
Fort Dodge Fish Stocking Program:
In 2005 the KBA decided to donate money to a different kind of worthy project that dealt with a cause that was not related to hunting or big game. We started supporting the Fort Dodge Fish Stocking Program. We chose to help out some elderly veterans that reside at Fort Dodge, Kansas by donating money to stock fish in their local pond. To date we have donated $800.00 dollars to stock 775 pounds of fish so our veterans can enjoy fishing in their retirement years.
Archery in Schools:
The KBA first heard of the Archery in Schools Program in the spring of 2005. We immediately contacted the KDWP to offer our support to what we think is a very necessary addition to Kansas schools. We feel like there will be an excellent opportunity for children who have no experience with the outdoors or hunting to come into contact with a sport that may later lead to a passion of bowhunting in the outdoors. We are very ready and willing to offer not only monetary support but physical support as well.
Other Programs of Interest:
The KBA has contributed to many other deserving projects throughout the years also. We have contributed money to other states to help fight anti-hunting forces such as in New Jersey, Oregon, California, Arizona and Colorado to name a few. We were a major contributor to Camp Ripley’s Deer Study Wounding Group, conducted by Dr. Dave Samuel and West Virginia University. We are also a member and supporter of the US Sportsman’s Alliance and the North American Bowhunting Coalition.
It is a conservative estimate that the KBA has donated well over $40,000 dollars throughout the years to some very worthy and worthwhile causes.
Members are kept abreast of topics that relate to the bowhunting sport via a biomonthly magazine, “The Kansas Bowhunter.”
Each issue includes columns from the Executive Council members, KBA programs information, legislative updates, local archery club news, and entertaining stories along with photos that have been contributed by members.
Join us in February each year for the Annual Convention!
Link to register will be shared a few weeks prior to the event.
Four Points by Sheraton, Manhattan, KS
Featuring: Tom Nelson & Tom Miranda – as well as KBA Founding Father & First President Jerry Bratton
The highlight of the year for the organization is the Convention and Awards Banquet. The last weekend of February finds members from across Kansas and other states gathering for a weekend of meetings, banquets, clinics, and displays ranging from trophy animals to artwork and equipment.
Each year’s event includes a guest speaker, each of whom are as impressive as the messages they bring. Recent speakers include: Harv Ebers, Maggie McGee, Brad Harris, Judd Cooney, Jim Dougherty, Glenn St. Charles, Judy Kovar, M.R. James, Dwight Schuh, E. Don Thomas, TJ Conrads, CJ Winand, and Tom Nelson.
The banquet is concluded after awards and recognition are given to animals harvested during the preceding season. Pope and Young categories are recognized, plus awards are given for photography, artwork, shed antlers, best pose of hunter with game, and taxidermy. Other items are auctioned and raffled to raise money that supports the KBA and its projects throughout the year.
As a bonus, there is always a bazaar worth attending where you can find bargains on new hunting gear that will help you get ready for the next season.