The Archery Associations
Archery is the art, sport, practice or skill of using a bow to shoot arrows. Archery, being one of the oldest sports in the world, is organized worldwide by national, continental and international federations / associations. These organizations are recognized by their respective governments as non-profit making bodies whose aim is to promote the sport of archery for all people.
What is an Archery Association?
Archery Associations are groups of Archery enthusiasts who come together to practice the sport and enjoy socializing. Archery Associations usually have a yearly membership fee which is used to fund their activities, but in some cases if an Archery Association has enough funds they may not charge a membership fee at all.
Archery Associations often host competitions for members and non-members alike where participants compete against each other with bows and arrows.
There are 3 types of associations, the point of these is to help to connect your with teachers to help you develop your skills or allow you to enter competitions.
1) International Archery Associations
The International Archery association is the governing body of Archery. They have been around since 1931 and are responsible for licensing, coaching certification as well as equipment regulation to ensure that all archers compete on a level playing field. The most well-known organization would be World Archery and they pride themselves on being involved in the hardest competitions.
2) National Archery Associations
National Archery Associations are the governing body in each country. They are responsible for providing this guidance. They provide Archery coaching, training and equipment regulation to ensure that all coaches, instructors and archers compete on a level playing field.
3) State Archery Associations
Each state has its own organization to help govern the sport in that state, you will want to join the one for your state if you are looking to find additional training, enter competitions or even find a local club. All local competitions within a specific state are organized by the state organization. It’s also worth noting that there are usually a couple of associations in each state, one that focuses on field/target archery and then one that specializes in hunting.
Why Join An Archery Association?
Joining Archery Associations is a great way for people of all skill levels to meet, learn and grow. Archery associations are also great for those that are interested in competing or entering into tournaments as they provide the rules everyone must follow so nobody gets an unfair advantage based on equipment, experience etc.
By joining an archery association, you are able to take part in local tournaments. As well as tournaments and competitions, as a member you can often also join clubs or take part in educational events.
Global Archery Associations
International Field Archery Association (IFAA)
The IFAA were founded in 1970 and has over 50,00 members. They do tend to focus more on beginner archers to introduce them to the great world of archery, although they do also have some competitions for more experienced archers.
HDH International Archery Association (HDH-IAA)
Founded in 2019, the HDH International Archery Association was created to host competitions for archers interested in historical/traditional archery.
Archery Shooters Association (ASA)
The ASA can be found in 37 states and has an impressive 9,000 members. They host events and competitions in 3D archery, encouraging both beginners and professionals to get involved. If you are interested in this form of archery, it’s a great way to meet other archers.
Contact Information: www.asaarchery.com, 770-795-0232
NASP archery
The National Archery In The Schools Program, which was started in the 1950s, was created not only to help improve physical health, but also to develop a sport that all youth could participate in regardless of economic background.
Participating in archery helps youth become more physically fit, learn patience and discipline, develop self-confidence and concentration, as well as have fun.
Archery is also a sport that has a rich history, and is still enjoyed by many today. It remains one of the few sports in which competitors are not matched by gender.
A study conducted in Colorado Springs showed that teens who participated in archery scored higher on intelligence tests than those who did not participate in the sport. The study showed that archery helped to develop concentration and self-confidence as well.
NFAA Archery
The National Field Archery Association is America’s oldest and largest archery organization. The NFAA is dedicated to promoting the sport of field archery for all ages, abilities, skill levels and interests in the United States and internationally.
The NFAA is comprised of nearly 5,000 current members from all walks of life. We represent all age groups and abilities in the sport, from experienced veterans to novices who are just starting out. The NFAA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was created to ensure that the needs of field archery players remain met as the sport grows.
The NFAA also sponsors the National Field Archery Championships, a 3-day event held each year in early September. The field archery national championships is the largest annual tournament in North America, with more than 1,200 registered competitors and more than 400 volunteers annually participating.
USA Archery (National Archery Association)
When we see the USA in the Olympics for archery, it is governed by USA Archery. It is actually them that pick and train the participants in the Olympics for the U.S. As well as the Olympics, they also pick the teams for the World Championships and the World Cups. Their aim is to help encourage training in passionate archers, involve them in competition and also promote athleticism.
Below is a list of the national associations that govern archery within the United States of America.
State Archery Associations
Alabama
Bowhunters of Alabama (BHA) – http://bowhuntersofalabama.org/
Huntsville Archery Club – http://www.huntsvillearcheryclub.com/
Alaska
Alaskan Bowhunters Association – http://akbowhunters.com
Alaska State Archery Association (ASAA) http://akstatearchery.net
Arizona
Arizona Bowhunters Associations (ABA) – http://archerybowhunters.com/
Papago Archery Association (PAA) – http://www.papagoarchery.com
Arkansas
Arkansas Bowhunters Association (ABA) – http://www.arkansasbowhunters.org/
California
California Bowmen Hunters/State Archery Association (CBH/SAA) – http://www.cbhsaa.net/
State Archers of California (SAC) – https://calarchery.net/
Colorado
Colorado Bowhunters Association (CBA) – http://coloradobowhunting.org/
Colorado State Archery Association – https://www.coloradostatearchery.com/
Colorado Traditional Archers Association (CTAS) – https://colotradarchers.com/
Connecticut
Connecticut Archery Association (CAA) – http://www.caa-archery.org/
Connecticut Target Archers Association (CTAA) – https://ctarchery.org/
Delaware
Delaware State Archery Association (DSAA) – https://www.facebook.com/DelStateArcheryAssociation/
Forida
Florida Archery Association (FAA) – https://www.floridaarchery.org/
Florida Archery Foundation (FAF) – http://floridaarcheryfoundation.com/
Georgia
Georgia Archery Association (GAA) – https://www.gaarchery.org/
Georgia Bowhunter and Archery Association (GBAA) – http://gbaa.georgiaarchery.com/
Hawaii
Aloha State Archery Association (ASAA)
Idaho
Idaho State Bowhunters (ISB) – https://idahostatebowhunters.com/
Illinois
Illinois Archery Association (IAA) – http://www.il-archery.com/
Illinois Target Archery Association (ITAA) – http://illinoistargetarchery.org/
Indiana
Indiana Bowhunter Association (IBA) – http://www.indianabowhunterassociation.com/
Indiana Field Archery Association (IFAA) – http://www.ifaaarchery.org/
Iowa
Iowa Bowhunters Association (IBA) – https://www.iowabowhunters.org/
Iowa State Archery Association (ISAA) – http://www.iowastatearchery.com/
Kansas
Kansas Bowhunters Association (KBA) – http://www.thekbasite.com/
Kansas State Archery Association (KSAA) – http://kansasstatearcheryassociation.org/
Kentucky
Kentucky Archers Association (KAA) – http://www.kentuckyarchery.org/
Louisiana
Louisiana Field Archery Association (L.F.A.A) – https://louisianafieldarchery.org/
Northeast Louisiana Archery Association (NELAA) – http://www.nelaa.org/
Maine
Maine Archery Association – http://www.mainearchery.org/
Maine Bowhunters Association – http://www.mainebowhunters.org/
Maryland
Maryland Archery Association (MAA) – http://www.md-archery.org/
Maryland Bowhunters Society (MBS) – http://www.marylandbowhunterssociety.org/
Massachusetts
State Archery Association of Massachusetts (SAAM) – http://www.massarchery.org/
Massachusetts Field Archery Association (MFAA) – https://www.mfaa-archery.org/
Michigan
Michigan Archers Association (MAA) – http://www.michiganarchersassociation.com/
Minnesota
Minnesota Archers Alliance (MAA) – https://www.themnaa.org/
Minnesota State Archery Association (MSAA) – https://www.mnarchery.org/
Mississippi
Mississippi Archery Association (MAA) – https://www.msarcheryassociation.com/
Missouri
Missouri Bowhunters Association (MBH) – http://mobowhunters.org/
Montana
Montana Archery Association (MAAI) – https://www.montanaarchery.org/
Nebraska
Nebraska Bowhunters Association (NBA) – https://www.nebraskabowhunters.com/
Nevada
Nevada Bow Hunters Association (NBHA) – http://www.nevadabowhunters.org/
New Hampshire
Granite State Bowhunters (GSB) – http://www.granitestatebowhunters.com/
New Jersey
New Jersey Archery Association (NJAA) – http://www.newjerseyarchery.org/
New Mexico
New Mexico Archery Association – http://nmarcheryassociation.org/
New York
New York State Archery Association (NYSAA) – http://www.nysaa.org/
North Carolina
North Carolina Field Archery Association (NCFAA) – http://www.ncfaa-archery.org/
North Dakota
North Dakota Bowhunters Association (NDBA) – https://www.ndbowhunters.org/
Ohio
Ohio Archers Association (OAA) – http://www.ohioarchers.com/
Ohio Bowhunters Association (OBA) – http://ohiobowhunters.net/
Oklahoma
Archery Shooters Association of Oklahoma – http://okasafederation.com/
Oklahoma State Archery Association (OSAA) – http://oklahomaarchery.org/
Oregon
Oregon Bowhunters (OBH) – https://www.oregonbowhunters.com/
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State Archery Association (PSAA) – https://www.psaa.net/
United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania (UBH) – https://ubofpa.org/
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Field Archery Association (RIFAA) – http://www.rifaa.org/
South Carolina
Bowhunters of South Carolina – http://www.scbowhunters.org/
South Carolina Archery Association (SCAA) – http://sc-archery.com/
South Dakota
South Dakota Archery Association – http://www.sdarchers.com/
Tennessee
Tennessee Archery Association (TAA) – http://www.tennesseearchery.net/
Texas
Texas State Archery Association (TSAA) – https://www.texasarchery.org/
Texas Field Archery Association (TFAA) – https://texasfieldarchery.org/
Utah
Utah Archery Association – https://www.utaharchery.org/
Utah Bowmens Association (UBA)
Vermont
Vermont Bowhunters Association – http://www.vermontbowhuntersassociation.org/
Virginia
Virginia Bowhunters Association (VBA) – http://vbarchers.com/
Virginia Field Archery Association (VFAA) – https://www.vfaa.org/
Washington
Washington State Archery Association (WSAA) – http://www.washingtonarchery.org/
Washington State Bowhunters – http://www.wsbowhunters.org/
West Virginia
West Virginia Archery Association (WVAA) – http://www.wvarchery.org/
West Virginia Bowhunters Association (WVBA) – http://westvirginiabowhunters.org/
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Archery Alliance (WAA) – http://www.wisconsinarcheryalliance.com/
Wisconsin Bowhunters Association (WBH) – https://www.wisconsinbowhunters.org/
Wisconsin Traditional Archers (WTA) – http://wistradarchers.com/
Wyoming
Bowhunters of Wyoming (BOW) – http://www.bowhuntersofwyoming.net/
Wyoming State Archery Association (WSAA) – http://wyoming-archery.org/
