Wisconsin Bowhunters Association

Wisconsin Bowhunters Association didn't just join the bowhunting movement—they started it. In 1934, Wisconsin pioneers like Roy Case and Aldo Leopold established the country's first dedicated bowhunting season. Seven years later, in 1941, WBH was founded to protect and advance that vision. Today, the organization operates from Clintonville with a board of directors representing 10 geographic districts across Wisconsin.

WBH worked directly with Wisconsin DNR to pioneer regulations that have become the template for other states:

• •Separate archery deer license and tag system (1965)
• •Legalized treestand hunting (1971)
• •Bear hunting with bow and arrow
• •Either-sex archery seasons
• •Post-gun-season bowhunting opportunities
• •Extended twilight hunting hours
• •Camouflage approval (replacing required blaze clothing)
• •Bonus tag eligibility for archers
• •Bowfishing regulations and relaxed transport restrictions

"Wisconsin's bowhunting structure still serves as a template followed by several other game agencies across the country."

They hold a seat on all DNR wildlife management committees and actively combat anti-hunting legal challenges.

For over 70 years, bowhunters have gathered the weekend before archery deer season opens to refine their skills with broadhead-tipped arrows at life-sized targets under hunting conditions. What started as a competition has become a rendezvous-type atmosphere with camps, campfires, vendors, raffles, and novelty shoots. Many participants spend the entire weekend immersed in bowhunting culture.

• •Archery Kits: Complete starter packages available on first-come, first-served basis. Includes bow, case, release, arrows, and optional safety vests, ladder stands, and ground blinds
• •Hunter Education: Partnership with Wisconsin bowhunter-ed.com; courses fill quickly
• •Mentored Youth Programs: Ages 10-12 can hunt with qualified mentors before completing education courses
• •Scholarships: Annual Grundman Family Scholarship for Natural Resources majors
• •Legislative Advocacy: Active monitoring and defense of bowhunting rights; publishes regular legislative reports
• •School Archery Support: Matching funding for National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP)
• •Magazine Advertising: Reach target market of Wisconsin bowhunters and archers

WBH publishes regular legislative reports, president's messages, and DNR committee updates. They maintain a searchable directors list and operate a members-only area (password in magazine back cover) with archived issues and honor rolls.

Office Location: 17 E. Third Street, Clintonville, WI 54929 Ph: 715-823-4670 | Email: [email protected]

WBH faces ongoing threats from anti-hunting groups that target bowhunting as their "first and easiest target for elimination." Strong membership numbers remain critical for defending regulations, resisting season shortening efforts, and protecting Wisconsin's bowhunting heritage. Individually, bowhunters have limited power against organized opposition. Unified, they've won repeatedly.