Milestones

1991
Established as an organization by 17 concerned, motivated and passionate bowhunters.

1993
NYB membership reaches 4,000 members.

First Youth Camp held at Turkey Trot Acres, Candor NY.

Sent members to (US Sportsmen’s Alliance) workshops to prepare the organization for the battles ahead with “anti-hunting” groups.

1995
First annual Banquet held in Buffalo NY.

1997
First Physically Challenged hunt held in Savannah NY.

1998
All nine regions of NY were represented by NYB Regional Reps

2001
Created the NYB Scholarship program.

2002
First Youth hunt held outside of Syracuse NY fall 2002.

2003
Rejuvenated our “Junior Membership” into the “Spikes” program.

2004
Assisted in establishing a 3D archery range for the United States troops serving in Iraq.

2005
Helped form North American Bowhunting Coalition made up of state, national and provincial bowhunting organizations thereby representing tens of thousands of bowhunters.

Signed up an unprecedented 340 members at Rockland County Outdoor Sport Show.

Developed the Dream Raffle (now called Super Raffle). Vital in keeping NYB in the black without the need for large increases in NYB dues.

2007
1,000 young adults have been exposed to archery and bowhunting since our Youth Camp program began.

Developed the program, “Adaptive Equipment for the Aging and Physically Challenged Bowhunter”.

2008
Assisted (National Archery in Schools Program) NASP program being started in NY with money and instructor training.

First “Wounded Veteran” hunt as part of our “Camo to Camo” program.

2009
Recipient of the prestigious Pope & Young Stewardship Award.

Recipient of the NYS Conservation Council President’s Award.

Legislative Accomplishments

1995
Gained bowhunters the use of Deer Management Permits (DMP’s) during last 10 days of the southern zone early bow season.

1996
Allowed usage of Special 2nd deer (either sex) Tag during late bow season.

1999
Added 6 more days of DMP use for bowhunters.

Use of Deer Management Assistance Permits (DMAPS) during bow seasons.

2001
Added one month to Suffolk County archery-only season (from Nov 1 to Oct 1 opener).

Changed definition of legal bow from “…arrow that can propel a legal broadhead 150 yards…” to a 35 lb. minimum draw weight.

2002
In May NYB helped alter altered DEC Conservation Fund/deer management budget which included;
2nd tag (antler-less) for archers during early & late special seasons in both zones.

Can use unfilled “regular” season buck only tag as an either sex tag during the special South Zone late seasons & Sept. portion of North Zone season.

Can use “regular” season tag as an either sex tag in areas restricted to longbow only hunting, including regular season in Westchester Co. and any season in Suffolk Co.

Residents who purchase lifetime, big game licenses and move out of state can now purchase other big game licenses at resident fee rates.

Lowered fees for junior hunters & trappers.

Allow use of DMP’s for junior archers & no extra fee charged

Junior archers can hunt during all the “regular” firearm seasons with either sex tag

2002
Other accomplishments achieved by Fall of 2002 included;

DMP use for bowhunters expanded to the entire season.

Big game hunters can consign up to two DMP’s to other hunters.
Hunters who have tagged-out may continue to participate in the hunt for the remainder of the big game seasons as long as they do not attempt to shoot at another deer.

Supported passage of DEC Automated License System (DECALS).

Expanded use of DMAPS from 2 to 4 tags per hunter in Regions 8 & 9.
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2004
Allow for use of DMP’s during archery seasons by non-resident hunters.

Passage of venison donation fund bill, allowing for volunteer contribution of $1 when purchasing sporting licenses.

Added approximately 2 weeks to the beginning of Westchester Co. archery-only season (from Nov. 1st to match the Southern Zone season).

Expand black bear hunting opportunities in the Catskill and Allegany ranges

Defeat DEC proposal for a “youth” (16 & 17 year old) firearm deer hunt on 2nd last weekend of southern zone, early archery season.

2005
Prevented DEC from placing a muzzleloader season into or before Southern Zone archery-only season.


Other Legislative Accomplishments;

●Established numerous contacts with state legislators, acting as their resource on bow issues. Meeting with them on a regular basis.

●Established a working relationship with the DEC. Meeting with them on a regular basis.

●Kept the crossbow out of the archery-only seasons & areas of the state.

●Promoted the harvest of antler-less deer to assist the DEC in management objectives.

●Established urban deer management archery hunts in various parts of the state - Irondequoit, Painted Post and Albany, NY; while preserving and promoting other programs in Westchester & Suffolk Counties.

●Established legislative E-Mail Alert System.


General Organization Accomplishments

● Continually fighting the anti-hunter movement. Examples; participated in a demonstration on Long Island to counter the “anti-hunters” protesting the opening of bow season. Attended a county legislature meeting where anti hunters had assembled to mislead our elected officials.

● Have opposed the “anti-hunters” attempts to promote use of contraceptives to control deer herds.

● Thousands of dollars donated to promote various hunter education programs.


● Developed “Camo to Camo” program which sends gift boxes to American troops serving in the Mid-east. To date over 500 boxes (3,500 pounds!) have been shipped! Program also sends wounded veterans on free hunts.

● Provides specialized equipment for physically challenged individuals.

● NYB has donated thousands of dollars and our members have volunteered thousands of hours to various charities throughout New York State including (and not limited to) the American Red Cross, Hunt of a Lifetime, American Cancer Society.

● Since its inception NYB has been a contributor to the NYS Venison Donation Coalition program.

● Offers opportunities for members to participate in Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup Programs and other community based projects.

(All of the above have been accomplished with volunteers. Participation in any of the various programs is not mandatory. Your yearly dues support the most active bowhunting organization in NY. Those that wish to become more involved certainly are welcomed to do so.)



NYB at Work in Iraq
Tupper Lake Archer and NYB Region 5 Representative, Mike Savage, spearheaded an effort to get targets and equipment donated and sent to the troops in Iraq. Mike started the project after reading a letter in the January-February issue of Bowhunter magazine, written by Major Robert Gwinner of the U.S. Army's 8th Infantry, 1st Battalion. In the letter, Maj. Gwinner stated that he was building a small bow range adjacent to his unit's small-arms practice range. He also described archery as "a good break for our soldiers." Mike responded to Maj. Gwinner by e-mail and stated that the Tupper Lake Archers wanted to donate a target and he then inquired about what other archery items the troops needed to complete their archery range. Very soon an e-mail was received with a wish list that included arrows, field tips, practice broadheads, releases, targets and other gear. Through Mike’s efforts, donations of cash and merchandise came pouring in and several packages of archery related gear found their way into Iraq. The result is a range at the forward position of a fire zone; currently home for these heroes. The infantry men in the photos below were on duty in Balad Iraq, about 50 miles north of Baghdad in the middle of the Sunni Triangle.