If you’re a bowhunter, you’re already a member of the MBBA: the Muddy Broadhead Bowhunters Association, even if you don’t know it. Officially formed and given its proper name and “bylaws” last year by a friend, the association has technically been around since people began stick-and-string hunting. If you’ve ever missed when bowhunting, (and if you haven’t, then I need to see your credentials) you’re a member.
The rules are pretty simple and the bylaws are anything but strict, so there’s no reason not to “officially” join. The best part of the organization is it celebrates your misses so everyone can suffer in your misery – or give you lots of grief. Either way, it makes missing almost bearable because as we all know, it’s a fact of life when you bowhunt.
So, here are the rules:
• First and foremost, there has to be honesty. Since bowhunting is mainly a solitary sport, the honor code is in full effect.
• The MBBA is an inverted system. If you miss when hunting, you move up the proverbial executive ladder. President/CEO is the highest rank and is reserved for those who miss the most. The lowest (or best, depending on how you look at it) ranking is general member. In between are the usual: Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, etc.
• Executive staff changes as needed. You may be president one day and general member the next if someone in your group misses while you’re at your kid’s soccer game.
• A compound miss is multiplied by three over someone who shoots trad gear. For example, if a trad shooter and a compound shooter miss on the same day, the compound shooter would hold a higher office than the trad shooter. Highest score wins – or loses in this case.
• There are no dues, official meetings or compensation for anyone in the organization.
• The only stipulation for membership is you must be a bowhunter.
Joining the MBBA is as simple as it gets: Let someone know you want to be a part of it. There are no forms to fill out, nothing to buy and no dues to pay. Simple.
If you don’t have a chapter in your area, start one. Or, you can join ours; just shoot me an e-mail at matt@sportingclassics.net. Either way, don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of an organization you’re already a part of anyway.