Contributors to this thread:
Anyone here a member? Pro or Con? Seems like a good org.
Public Broadcasting Service, or is there a hunting/fishing/trapping org with the same initials?
If the broadcasting is what you are asking, not a member, but donate now and then and enjoy their programming.
Hi Mike, lots of PBS (Professional Bowhuhter Society) members here on Bowsite. We have an Odd Year Gathering (OYG) in WI in July - come check us out. The PBS is at least 95% trad so be aware of that (not really a big deal, my son is a member and shoots compound most of the time). For $35 you get 4 magazines per year, and invites to Membership Hunts around the country for various critters, OYGs and the biannual Banquets (next one is in Lexington KY in March 2024).
Do they allow compounds? Or 80% letoff? (IDK just remember some drama)
I'm a member and nothin but good things to say. Have really enjoyed the odd year gatherings that I've been able to attend.
Mike, if you don’t have a trad bow, come to this OYG anyway and I guarantee somebody there will put a longbow or recurve in your hands and get you shooting some targets.
5% or less of our members shoot compounds, including my son who does have a recurve and longbow but at this stage, is more comfortable with his compound. We’re fine with that (many members have hunted with a compound in the past, including me) but are more than happy to help those who want more challenge and excitement that comes with hunting with a recurve, longbow or selfbow.
I've been a member since 1993 or so. Great organization that protects are hunting rights. Members are great if you need info on a WMA etc or hunting in their home state. A fellow member gave me some great tips on accessing dome NYS DEP property.
"Professional" Bowhunter?
Didn't know that was even a real thing other than for Youtube and Instagram movie stars.
Professional in how we conduct ourselves, HDE
I was a member for years. Dropped my membership when I could no longer meet the requirement of shooting 50# minimum draw weight. I believe they may have changed that.
It is an excellent organization made up of some of the finest people you'd ever want to share a camp with. "Professional" refers only to the attitude of the members, and doesn't imply elitism or payment. From the PBS information:
It is the purpose of the Professional Bowhunters Society to be an organization whose membership consists only of persons who are considered Professional Bowhunters in ATTITUDE, and who vow: - That by choice, bowhunting is their primary archery interest and their ultimate interest is the taking of wild game by bow and arrow of suitable weights in a humane and sportsmanlike manner; - To share their experiences, knowledge and shooting skills; - To be a conscientious bowhunter, promoting bowhunting by working to elevate its standards and the standards of those who practice the art of bowhunting; - To provide training on safety, shooting and hunting techniques; - To practice the wise use of our natural resources, the conservation of our wild game and the preservation of our natural habitat.
Been a member since 1985. Great organization, lots of membership hunts
Who decides what a bow and arrow of "suitable weight" is?
Was a regular member for years. Drifted away and did not maintain my membership but I always respect their passion and dedication to archery. Some of the finest bowhunters I know belong to PBS.
Jaquomo, we hope a bowhunter would use a combination of experience, common sense and any requirements for bow draw weight/arrow/broadhead that the state’s game and fish department has (for example when I hunted moose in NH I had to use a bow with min 60# draw weight and a broadhead with min 1-inch width. I had to borrow a heavier bow for that hunt and I was actually checked in the field by a game warden, who checked the draw weight with a scale).
Pat, the PBS will be celebrating 60 years at the next Banquet in Lexington KY in March 2024 and we’d love to have you join us.
I don't like the scoring system, as it's focused more on the hunter and not the animal. I know a number of members, all good guys. It just doesn't seem like it's meant for the compound hunter.
junkie,,,, PBS does not have a record book,
yes,, they do..... maybe that's what you was thinking about
Why would they care about compounds...last time I checked lots of quality guys they would want to join from Pope and Young, quality hunters, I would welcome them....
yes,, they do..... maybe that's what you was thinking about
Sounds good. I am.steering some younger hunters to join good organizations.
Was a regular member as well for years…When I started shooting a compound and the President compared shooting a compound bow to dropping napalm on animals.. I knew it was time to move on
Didn't they just merge with LIV golf? Wait, that's the PGA.
Had friends and associates that were/are members and encouraged me to join. I never did. No real reason, just backed off on joining as many organizations. Still am in a few but my annual dues for RMEF, CBA, CTAS, SCI, NRA, DU, etc, etc were adding up to a decent chunk of change.
From the PBS web page - "Who Are We"
?THERE IS NO FEELING ON EARTH LIKE USING YOUR SKILL TO WORK TEN YARDS FROM A BIG GAME ANIMAL, THEN PICKING A SPOT, DRAWING BACK A SIMPLE LONGBOW AND SENDING A SUCCESSFUL ARROW ON ITS WAY. OUR MEMBERS LIVE FOR THAT FEELING, AND RECOGNIZE THAT THE SATISFACTION IN A SUCCESSFUL HUNT IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE EFFORT PUT FORTH. FOR MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS, THE MEMBERS OF THE PROFESSIONAL BOWHUNTERS SOCIETY HAVE BEEN DEDICATED TO THE PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF BOWHUNTING’S TRADITIONAL VALUES AS A SPORT WHERE SUCCESS IS BASED ON SKILL, WOODSMANSHIP, AND PATIENCE.
In other words, if you do all that with a stick bow, you fit in. If you hunt exactly the same way with a compound, as I do now since my shoulder issue, you are somehow a lesser bowhunter. No thanks.
I've been a PBS member the past four years. My membership expires next month and I don't plan to renew. While compound bowhunters are "allowed" to join, I don't feel compound bows are supported at all by the majority. I believe compounds bowhunters are allowed to join PBS in hopes those members will eventually make the switch and become traditional bowhunters. That's not a bad plan for recruiting.
I firmly believe PBS is a great organization... for traditional bowhunters. I know several serious trad bowhunters that are heavily involved in PBS... and it was one of them that signed me up four years ago. I didn't know until after the fact...but I stuck with that membership for three additional years. To be clear, I've never been criticized personally by a PBS member for hunting with a compound bow. That said, enough negative comments published in the PBS magazine have made me veritably aware that I honestly don't belong.
Was a member for a few years a long time ago. Decided it wasn't a good 'fit' and dropped out. Seemed like more of a 'social club' for a certain crowd.
Any group that calls themselves a “society” I’m probably not gonna fit in. LOL
I looked into it years ago, never a member, but it was pretty clear that it wasn’t for me personally.
—jim
I considered joining about 50 years ago. At that time, I think there was something about shooting so many small game animals with a bow. I had no desire to hunt small game with a bow so I did not join. That may not be an issue now for them.
I just checked and there is a requirement to take a substantial number of small game animals with a bow to be a regular member. Not something that I want to spend my time at. I think that it is wonderful for those who do.
I have been a member for years not really sure how long. Their magazine is my favorite in fact it is the only one of several that I still always read. I mostly shoot trad but a compound on occasion I have never felt slighted because a shoot a compound. I really like they have always stood up against crossbows and now the airbow. I was a pope and young member for a number of years but never felt included. I think it is a great organization and has done some good things.
I think it probably needs to be said, that not too long ago, a group of people thought the PBS should be a 'traditional only' organization like Compton's.
That idea eventually went to a vote and that idea was voted down by the membership. Though overwhelmingly the membership prefers traditional equipment; it didn't mean the organization was anti-compound. The PBS is far more about your approach and ethics to bowhunting as opposed to your choice of stickbow or compound...at least that's my take after more than 3 decades of membership
You nailed it, Stringwacker! You can choose to feel not welcome or you can just bowhunt! Don’t join us if this is a stumbling block for you. My son has been on numerous Membership Hunts with his compound and never felt unwelcome or lower class. Maybe someday he will hunt with his recurve or longbow but I couldn’t care any less what he hunts with.
Everybody starts out as an Associate Member; you can step up to Regular/Qualified status if you wish to vote for candidates for Council or become a candidate yourself. When I applied for Qualified/Regular status, I made sure to include pics of animals I shot with my compound, recurve and longbow, to show that I used the same approach and ethics with the different types of bows.
I forgot about this group that is why I asked. Years ago I went to their get together in Madison WI. I met Mike Mitten and Barry Wensel. Bought Mike's book One with the Wilderness.... could not have met finer people. Everyone was very friendly. I came alone.
I an an old guy, but some young guys in their early 30s hard chargers who I mentored in big woods trapping, wanted to join some groups, to grow.
Yes they joined their state association. Going to advise them to make the trip down to Ojibwa in southern Wis.
I think they also belong to BCHA, not sure.
Thanks for all responses.
Another long time member here. PBS is certainly not for everyone and certainly not anti compound. MR James and DR Dave Samuel are two notable members that hunt with compounds. However our membership tends to be hunters that eat, sleep and breath bows arrows and all that goes with it. PBS was organized before the invention of the compound bow and was the primary bowhunting club back then. Other clubs were about target archery. Although no group is without flaw and PBS is no different but it's a great group of passionate bowhunters that prove to offer assistance to help with a far away dream hunt. Hope to see many at the next gathering in Lexington in March 2024.
One look down the "I Am the PBS" page tells me I am not.
I like the concept, but not enough to embark on the lengthy full membership process.
I've had lots of PBS members come through our ranches I've been to some of their gatherings and we have donated hunts to them in the past
All have been like every Bowsite guy that have hunted with us, great guys.
We used to have a group come every year for years that we referred to as the bow Nazi's. We used to lay out any crossbow we had in camp and compounds just to trigger them a little bit.
All in all a great organization and if what they offer is your cup of tea, join. If not don't.