Membership Benefits & Awards
Why Join The VBA?
As Virginia’s premier archery organization, the Virginia Bowhunters Association (VBA) proudly represents bowhunters and target archers across the Commonwealth. More than just an association, we act as hub and a unified voice at the state level, representing the collective interests of local clubs, bowhunters, and target archers. For over 70 years, we have partnered with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) to expand opportunities for sportsmen and women. With a network of clubs statewide, we offer diverse ranges, instructor training, and a comprehensive hunting awards program. Members stay connected through our quarterly magazine, FLIGHT, and celebrate their achievements at our signature Annual Awards Banquet. We also award up to $3,000 in Scholarships annually.
During the year, the VBA:
- Hosts four State Championship Tournaments each year as well as more than 100 sanctioned club shoots,
- Hosts a VBA Jamboree at no/low cost annually to give back to our clubs and members,
- Hosts multiple Youth Archery events to bring kids into the sport
- Sponsors numerous club shoots for charity (e.g. Hunters4Hungry, March of Dimes),
- Offers annual Scholarships for an eligible VBA member or immediate family member
- Conducts a quarterly meeting of all Clubs and VBA officers to plan events and ensure smooth operation of the VBA
- Hosts an evolving and dynamic website to inform all residents about archery activities in Virginia,
- Represents the VBA at various sportsmen shows throughout the year
- And much, much more!
Find a Club near you and join today!
Not near a Club and still want to join as an individual archer or bowhunter? That’s OK, – reach out to us!
becoming an associated club or affiliated organization
If your club would like to join VBA as an Associated Club, here are the requirements:
- Endorsement of a sponsoring club, signed by the President and Secretary.
- Pay a VBA charter fee of $25.00.
- Have a minimum of 8 members.
- All VBA membership dues must accompany the application.
- The range facilities and course must be approved by the Field Vice President or his/her representative.
- Provide the new club’s President and Secretary contact information (mailing address, E-mail, Phone Numbers), Club’s mail address and the new club/range.
- Your Club will have full voting privileges within VBA
Your organization or Pro Shop can also affiliate with VBA! The fee is $50.00 annually. If you are a commercial Pro Shop, we will give you discounted advertising in our quarterly FLIGHT magazine.
For further details and an application, contact the VBA or speak with any VBA Executive Board member.
VBA Awards And Related Membership Info
VBA State championship Tournaments
VBA hosts four State Championship Tournaments each year: Indoor, Field, and two 3-D shoots. Clubs get to host these based on a bid system. All bids are submitted and accepted at the June quarterly meeting. All Archers are welcome at State Tournaments. At the State Indoors and State Closed, you must be a VBA member in order to be eligible for an award, and Guest may receive an award at the discretion of the hosting club. For advertising flyers, further details and explanations on the VBA State Championship Tournaments, see our library of forms and templates. You may also contact VBA Field Vice President for any questions.
Game AwardS – get recognized for your hunting achievements!
VBA has multiple Game Awards as outlined below. All animals must be taken with archery equipment and applications must be completed and forwarded to the Hunting Vice President within 90 days of harvest or no later than the end of February of each year. You must be a VBA member in good standing.
- Bill Bennett Big Game Award: established in 1951, this award is give to an individual bowhunter in good standing, for harvesting a whitetail deer, black bear or turkey in any state.
- Largest VA Buck, Bear and Turkey by Virginia scoring system
- Largest VA Doe by Weight
- Double Slam for two of three: VA Bear, Deer, or Turkey
- Triple Slam for three of three: VA Bear, Deer and Turkey
- Dave Proctor Bowhunter Award: this Award has three levels of achievement and may take many years to accomplish each level. It is based on a points system for various animals and is the VBA’s most prestigious and difficult Game Award
VBA Application for Individual Achievement
VBA Club Range Inspections
VBA range inspections are needed for all new ranges, ranges that have made changes or within 30 days prior to State Tournaments. All ranges should be re-inspected every five years. Clubs that need to have their range(s) inspected (Indoor, Outdoor and 3-D), to please contact the VBA Field Vice President.
Scholarship
VBA grants up to $3,000 annually in Scholarships! Applications are due February 15 of each year. VBA members and their immediate family are eligible. Scholarships can be used at any institute of higher learning. See the Scholarship Overview below for how to apply, get the necessary forms, and where to send the application.
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VBA Scholarship Overview (64 KB) |
Order of the Golden Feather Nominations (Due in March)
The VBA Order of the Golden Feather was created to honor those persons who have given unselfishly of their time and talents toward the betterment of archery and archers. Recipients are persons who possess the virtues of sportsmanship, character, morals, integrity and friendship. As a reflection of the substance for membership, only 80 people have been elected to the Order in the past 71 years.
To be qualified, a candidate must be member in good standing of the VBA at the time of nomination, must have a minimum of ten successive years’ membership in the VBA and must be sponsored by three VBA members of good standing or by a VBA Club. This article is a reminder that candidates must be submitted to the Board of Directors at the March meeting for this year. Nominations must be in writing and be signed by sponsoring individuals or a Club officer. Successful nominees have always performed duties or had an impact outside their immediate club.
Details can be found in Article 16 of the VBA By-Laws.