Major League Archery

Major League Archery isn't a traditional outfitter—it's a membership-based whitetail bow hunting community. Founded by Brian "Smitty" Smith and now in its inaugural 2025-26 season, this SW Missouri operation fundamentally rethinks what a hunting club can be.

"There is absolutely nothing out there that remotely resembles what we are trying to accomplish here at Major League Archery. We truly challenge the bow hunter to just be better." — Brian D. Smith

Major League Archery operates differently than typical hunting outfitters:

• •Flexible scheduling: Members pick their own hunting dates (no consecutive requirement). Hunt one day here, two there, or all 14 at once.
• •Competitive incentives: Earn money back by harvesting does that meet criteria before October 31st or winning contests—funds are paid as 1099 income or credited toward next season's dues.
• •Community, not transactions: Members are treated as trusted friends and part of a shared conservation mission, not clients.
• •Low-pressure hunting: Only 12 memberships available per season. With 2,340 acres across seven farms, that's roughly one member per 200+ acres.
• •Selective membership: All applicants are personally interviewed. The club only accepts conservation-minded bow hunters with no game violations on record.

Major League Archery controls 2,340 acres of diverse SW Missouri whitetail habitat spread across seven different farms in Barton County near Lamar:

• •Terrain: Creeks, timber draws with bedding cover, open fields
• •Agriculture: Neighboring soybean and corn fields
• •Food plots: Established clover/chicory plots; fall-planted brassicas and grains for winter months
• •Native grass: Over 65 acres planted in spring 2024 through the NRCS EQIP program
• •Standing grain: Left by farmers during harsh winter periods

Trent Baugh, full-time habitat manager and Farm/Land General Manager, oversees property maintenance with a boots-on-ground approach. His focus:

• •Strategic food plot design and placement
• •Native cover and bedding area enhancement
• •Deer herd age structure management
• •Seasonal food availability optimization

Major League Archery runs approximately 60 trail cameras from late summer through one month after bow season. Camera access is controlled:

• •Early season: Only the land manager reviews images to maintain the hunting challenge
• •Late season (post-Thanksgiving): Members with available days gain limited, controlled access to guide late-season strategy

Members can stay at the well-appointed lodge on the farm for $60 per night. Reservations required at least 5 days in advance. Maximum capacity: 8 members at once. The club does not provide meals.

Every member automatically qualifies for the competitive payback system. Cash awards and incentives help manage the deer herd, build age structure, and reward ethical, disciplined hunting. All payouts are issued as 1099 income (or can be credited to next year's membership to avoid tax liability).

• •Referral Bonus: Refer a friend who joins, and receive $500 off your membership—$500 off annually for each year they remain a member (certain conditions apply).

• •Moon Guide Subscription: All new members receive a complimentary 1-year subscription to The Moon Guide to help optimize hunting success.

• •Post-Season Opportunities: Members have the option to participate in bounty hunting and predator/varmint trapping after bow season ends.

Major League Archery is grounded in faith, family, and conservation. The operation reflects values of ethical hunting, land stewardship, and building long-term relationships with members who return year after year. The club's mission is explicit: provide conservation-minded bow hunters an opportunity to hunt superior whitetail habitat under controlled pressure while earning money back for exercising discipline and hunting alongside like-minded hunters.

• •No guest policy: Strict—no guests allowed for any reason to protect privacy, safety, and experience consistency
• •Membership renewal: Members can renew before spots are offered to new applicants; renewal commitment required by March 31
• •Conduct reserves: The club reserves the right to deny renewal based on member conduct
• •Duck hunting: Duck season activity occurs on select farms (typically Thanksgiving through January), but shouldn't significantly impact bow hunting

• •Phone: 479-409-6252
• •Email: [email protected]

The club is currently accepting applications for 2025-26 inaugural memberships. Interested hunters should expect a personal interview as part of the selection process.