Welcome to the Bowfishing Association of America’s news page.
Here you find update news as well as older archive news articles and stories.
If you have an article you would like to submit please contact Mark Lee at: mwl5025@yahoo.com
The Bowfishing Association of America
BAA
Bowfishing Association of America
BAA NEWS
Most People within the Bowfishing Community has heard of or seen something with the Bowfishing Association of America at some point or time whether it be a sticker on a boat, the internet, magazine, or you’re a member. A lot of people think of tournaments when they think of the BAA, although the organization only hosts one tournament a year which just happens to the World Championship. The BAA does a lot more within the bowfishing community that most realize
The Bowfishing Association of America was formed in 1992 in Little Rock, Arkansas by a group of bowfishermen who shot tournaments in Arkansas, and also in other states. Some of the original founders were from states other than Arkansas. This of course was before the days of the internet. Different States had different club events, but you really did not hear much about the other states, unless you travelled to those states. Some States could fish at night, while others could fish for catfish. These guys decided to form the Bowfishing Association of America to help do two things, one was to promote the sport of bowfishing, and the other was to help support it. What most people enjoy in their prospective states today, was accomplished by someone who was associated with the BAA. Night fishing was legalized in Arkansas back in the early 1990’s, as well as in North Carolina, allowing non-residents to bowfish on short term license. Night time fishing in Virginia was also accomplished. Throughout the years, many states have given a more liberal stance with bowfishing of rough fish in both day and night time because of dedication of BAA members. Alligator Gar were banned in 1992, but re-instated in 1992 due to the members of the BAA.
Over the last two decades, the BAA has gone through changes from its original creation. We now have the internet, youth events, and expo’s to help promote the sport. One thing that we are lacking is the involvement of individuals who are willing to step forward and take the places that become vacant within keeping the National part alive and well. I know this is a brash statement, but as any organization grows, what grows with it is implosion within the organization. One group feels that things should go this way, and another group feels that it should go that way. Over time, it creates a division which weakens the sport as a whole. One thing that I see is that no matter what one group thinks or the other, they both serve a common purpose which is bowfishing. More and more, there are groups out there that are against bowfishing in general, and while on one hand the biologists all agree that bowfishing is a great tool to help control the rough fish population, although in minimal overall numbers, others feel that it is offensive and cruel. On the local news tonight , there was a story on a 1 mile stretch of the Arkansas River with thousands of dead drum fish floating on the main river channel, and scattered all along the banks, and when asked how they were going to clean it up, answer was the wildlife will have it taken care of, so no clean up effort will be done by the Game and fish Commission. Point and case, the overall picture of rough fish are not the issues as much as the idea of how our sport is conducted. It is up to all of us to help portray our sport in a good light so groups against bowfishing cannot over extend what we do and over dramatize it. What most bowfishermen fail to realize is that people see what we do, and most want to try it or get involved once they do, but they also see how we act. Most bowfishermen and women who are involved with a local, state, and or national organization conduct themselves better than most other sportsmen. The explanation for this statement is that when involved with a local, state, or national organization, we tend to better police ourselves to conduct what we do in a positive light for the public. We talk amongst ourselves to help ensure and educate the ones coming in to make sure you properly dispose of the fish, and to be considerate on the waters at night. We as an organization are the first point of contact for the Game and Fish officials when they are having problems with fish dumping, or complaints of noise on waters, but we are also a contact for working with the biologists on different species of rough fish.
With the new year here, we can start to come together and help solidify a better union of bowfishermen and women throughout the Country to help support the other bowfishermen and women with tournaments, youth events, and taking out new people . An organization is only as strong as its members, and every member can contribute to help with the promotion and support of bowfishing. As long as we all work together we will have a stronger voice, and a more concentrated force to help each other when issues arise, plus we can help each other when support is needed at a youth event, tournament, or expo be it time, money, or just helping spread the word with what and where. Your voice does matter.
By Mark Lee
Protecting the rights of Bowfishermen since 1990
