The long open seasons for bowhunting in Wisconsin and liberal regulations have been obtained through many, many years of working with our DNR and our Legislature.... Bowhunters did not always have it this good. It would be wise for the newer bowhunters to fully realize the vital importance of supporting the Wisconsin Bowhunters Association... for only with our organized efforts in the form of a strong, statewide organization can individual bowhunters

DEFEND THEIR SPORT.WBH has supported many conservation organizations such as: Wildlife Legislative Fund of America, Milwaukee County Conservation Alliance, AWARE, A.A.C. (American Archery Council), Northern Environmental Council, Wisconsin Hunter Education Instructor Association, and the Wisconsin Sportswomens Club. WBH works to protect ALL HUNTING (including Gun), FISHING, and TRAPPING. WBH segregates $1.00 from each membership fee to a special savings fund for defending our sport.
 

Wisconsin Bowhunters Association participates in the scholarship program at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point by sponsoring a $500.00 scholarship to eligible students enrolled in the Natural Resources program. The scholarship is known as the Lyell Cowley Memorial Scholarship. WBH has supported the scholarship fund at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wisconsin. WBH has also sponsored high school students wishing to participate in the Natural Resources Careers Workshop that is part of a joint effort through the DNR and the University of Wisconsin.
 

Since WBH was organized, the WBH Landowner Payment Plan has been in effect to help keep private lands open. When a bowhunter bags a deer, bear, turkey, coyote or bobcat on private land, and he so wishes, he sends $5 to WBH, WBH matches the $5, and sends a check for $10.00 in the members name. Over $118,050 has been paid out to landowners in Wisconsin.

Through The Efforts of Wisconsin Bowhunters....
 

• We have gone from a five day, buck only, season in two counties of the state in 1934, to our 85 day bow hunting for either sex deer.
• In 1942 the first bear season with bow and arrow was established.
• In 1943 the first open season for does or bucks was established.
• In 1945 the law required a bowhunter to have 50% of his clothing in RED. It took until 1951 to have this law repealed so camouflage could be worn.
• In 1947 it was illegal to have a strung bow in an automobile. In 1952 this law was repealed and replaced with the law allowing a strung bow within a case to be carried in an automobile.
• In 1953 the December bow season was established.
• In 1965 a separate bow & arrow license was implemented, which firmly established the very large number of bow and arrow hunters.
• In 1971 Portable Tree Stand use was legalized in Wisconsin.
• In 1989 obtained an additional 15 minutes hunting time.
• In 1989 Bowhunters no longer had to case their bows until they returned to their vehicle.
• In 1990 Bonus tags were made available to bowhunters in deer management units that were substantially over goal and under-subscribed by gun hunters choice applicants. Hunters Choice tags can be filled during archery season.
• 1991 - 1994 WBH financially supported Professor Ray Anderson's Black Bear study, which compared the health of a hunted vs. non-hunted bear population. This data will be valuable in defending bear hunting against unwarranted attacks.
• In 1994 Legal to bowfish from a boat with motor running. If not bowfishing, bow must be in a case.
• Since 1995 has sponsored participants in the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program.
• In 1997 Bowhunters able to hunt up until the Friday before the gun season in "T" zones (4 extra days).