North Dakota Bow Hunters Association Events

Founded in 1952, the North Dakota Bow Hunters Association (NDBA) is a statewide organization of dedicated archers fighting to protect and expand bowhunting rights. They were instrumental in getting North Dakota established as the last state to create a special bow and arrow season in 1953—and today the state has one of the longest bow seasons in the country.

• •Unified voice in Game & Fish Advisory meetings and at the ND State Legislature
• •Quarterly newsletter "The Archers Voice" with hunting news and tournament results
• •Tournament network - reports and announcements for area shoots throughout the year
• •Annual big game awards recognizing outstanding kills
• •Direct communication about current events, regulation changes, and opportunities
• •Active participation in promoting archery across North Dakota

NDBA works directly with the Game & Fish Department to offer certified bowhunter safety training. The program combines:

• •Online course ($30 fee) - covers everything from tree stand safety to shot placement, arrow selection, distance judging, and more. Takes interactive animations and realistic illustrations to teach the fundamentals. Course available on smartphone, tablet, or computer.
• •4-hour field day - hands-on training with certified archery instructors. Must be completed within 1 year of finishing the online portion to receive full certification.

While North Dakota doesn't require formal archery training to buy an archery license, many out-of-state hunting destinations do. Taking the NBEF-standardized curriculum through NDBA prepares you to hunt nationwide.

Enrollment happens through the North Dakota Game & Fish Department's hunter education portal. Field day dates and locations are posted on their website throughout the year.

NDBA tracks and promotes tournaments statewide:

• •State Outdoor 3D Tournament
• •State Indoor 3D Tournament
• •Super Bowl Shoot (Missouri Basin Bowmen)
• •Missouri Basin Bowmen Spring Shoot
• •Oliver County Spring Shoot
• •Regional club shoots

Members can submit tournament results directly to the NDBA website. Archived results available going back multiple years.

The organization maintains active involvement in regulations:

• •Participates in all Game & Fish Advisory meetings
• •Lobbies at the ND State Legislature for bowhunting interests
• •Maintains working relationship with North Dakota Game & Fish Department
• •Recently secured approval for lighted sights in Pope & Young Club competitions

Separate 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on:

• •Advancing the sport of archery
• •Funding educational activities
• •Community betterment initiatives
• •Youth programs and development

NDBA maintains a Hall of Fame honoring outstanding archers and contributors. Annual big game awards recognize exceptional hunts. Pope & Young Club measurer directory available for trophy verification.

Dedicated youth programming including NASP State Tournament participation and youth-focused education initiatives.

Full library of organizational documents available to members:

• •Constitution and Bylaws
• •State Tournament & Banquet Guidelines
• •Club Charter applications
• •Scholarship applications
• •Hall of Fame nomination forms
• •Big Game and Once-in-a-Lifetime award applications