research dossier

New York Bowhunters Inc

Canandaigua, NY · EIN 161346572 · Form 990EZ · FY2024 · NTEE N61 · Recreation & Sports · Micro (<$100K) · newyorkbowhunters.com

revenue

$21K

expenses

$24K

net assets

$34K

employees

—

mission · from form 990

To provide a forum for individuals and organizations interested in pursuing the art of bowhunting for game in a conscientious and sportsmanlike manner.To provide a positive image of bowhunting by encouraging the highest standard of sportsmanship and strengthen citizen-sportsman understanding.To develop promote and support an educational program of bowhunter safety sportsmanship conservation and wildlife management.To inform the public in general of the importance of wildlife management conservation and the role of the bowhunter toward this end.To develop greater outdoor opportunity for all as essential to character building and physical well-being.To stimulate public interest in and appreciation of the importance of wildlife and other natural resources and the need for wisely using conserving restoring and managing wildlife and other natural resources.To cooperate and assist other organizations with similar interests.

profile · synthesized from sources

New York Bowhunters Inc is a membership-based advocacy organization dedicated to preserving traditional bowhunting as a challenging and ethical pursuit. The group opposes the use of crossbows during archery seasons, arguing they resemble firearms more than bows and undermine the skill, practice, and close-range engagement central to bowhunting. It promotes bowhunter education, wildlife conservation, and the ethical use of archery equipment.

named programs · 2 · from sources

What they call their work

Equipment Comparison and Education

Provides educational materials and comparative analysis of hunting implements to inform members and the public about the differences between crossbows, compound bows, and traditional bows.

Stance on the Crossbow

Advocacy initiative opposing the classification of crossbows as archery equipment, based on research, member polling, and ethical concerns about wounding rates and the integrity of traditional bowhunting.

activities · 11 groups

What they do

Conservation-Focused Outdoor Sports Education 3 activities
- Capacity building for archery education and inter-organizational collaboration
  
  Provided funding and instructor training to launch the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) in New York and cooperates with other organizations focused on bowhunting, conservation, and wildlife management to strengthen collective impact.
- Public outreach and education on conservation and wildlife management
  
  Conducts public outreach to promote awareness of wildlife management, conservation, and the role of ethical bowhunters. Stimulates broader appreciation of natural resources through educational programming, media, and community engagement efforts.
- Youth bowhunting education and certification programs
  
  Operates a statewide youth education program in partnership with certified instructors and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to teach bowhunting safety, skills, and conservation. Provides free instruction, equipment, food, and materials to youth aged 11–18, administers NYS bowhunter certification courses enabling 12-year-olds to obtain licenses, and has hosted over 2,000 youth participants since inception. Events include Youth Education Days and youth hunts across New York.
Environmental Policy Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Advocacy for bowhunting rights and regulatory reform
  
  Engages in sustained advocacy to protect and expand bowhunting access and privileges in New York State, including lobbying to lower the legal bowhunting age to 12, advocating for earlier opening of archery seasons in restricted counties, and pushing for regulation changes allowing antlerless deer harvest without additional tags. Also helped form the North American Bowhunting Coalition to unite regional and national bowhunting organizations.
Shooting Sports Training and Safety 1 activity
- Archery proficiency and youth development programs
  
  Operates the Spikes Shooting Proficiency challenge, which awards certificates and NYB merchandise to youth members who complete progressively difficult archery shooting tasks at 10 and 15 yards, promoting skill development and engagement among young archers.
Community Event Fundraising 1 activity
- Fundraising and community events including banquets and rendezvous gatherings
  
  Hosts annual banquets and regional Rendezvous events at archery or sportsmen’s clubs, often tied to 3D shoots, featuring seminars, vendor exhibits, raffles, and live/silent auctions. These events raise funds for organizational programs, support lower membership fees, and foster community engagement among members and partner clubs.
Membership-Based Hunting and Fishing Clubs 1 activity
- Membership development and cooperative hunting access
  
  Provides a forum for individuals and organizations interested in responsible bowhunting, grows membership to over 4,000 (among the largest in the U.S.), and secures exclusive bowhunting access to Finger Lakes Land Trust properties through cooperative agreements.
Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Publication and member communication via Full Draw newsletter
  
  Produces and distributes Full Draw, a quarterly newsletter featuring member-submitted content such as stories, drawings, and recipes, with one submission selected monthly for publication and a prize. The publication also serves operational functions such as soliciting candidates for the Youth Award and disseminating organizational updates.
Wildlife Monitoring and Field Research 1 activity
- Research on wildlife diseases and bowhunting technology
  
  Conducts and supports research on critical issues affecting bowhunting and wildlife health, including chronic wasting disease (CWD) prevention in partnership with Cornell University biologists, studies on Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) outbreaks in New York, and a comprehensive evaluation of crossbow technology that informed official policy positions.
Youth Outdoor & Conservation Education Scholarships 1 activity
- Scholarship and grantmaking programs for hunter education and charitable causes
  
  Funds scholarships for members and youth and donates thousands of dollars to support hunter education initiatives and external charities such as the American Red Cross, Hunt of a Lifetime, and the American Cancer Society. Also contributes volunteer hours to these causes.
Adaptive Sports Programs 1 activity
- Support and adaptive programming for physically challenged hunters
  
  Develops and promotes adaptive archery techniques and modified equipment to enable physically challenged individuals—including paraplegics, amputees, blind, and deaf hunters—to participate in legal bowhunting. Operates the Camo to Camo Program, hosts adaptive clinics at Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Hospital, conducts specialized hunts, and partners with companies to innovate accessible gear.
Deployed Troop and Veteran Care Packages 1 activity
- Support for military personnel and veterans through hunting and care packages
  
  Organizes free hunting opportunities for wounded veterans through the Camo to Camo Program and has shipped over 960 gift boxes (more than 7 tons) to U.S. troops serving in the Middle East. Also helped establish a 3D archery range for troops in Iraq.
Uncategorized 1 activity
- Urban deer management through organized bowhunting programs
  
  Established and expanded sustainable urban bowhunting programs in Irondequoit (since 1996) and Erwin (since 1999), NY, as alternatives to costly municipal deer control methods. These programs involve recruiting and coordinating licensed bowhunters on designated sites, resulting in documented harvests such as 79 deer in Irondequoit (2003) and 30 in Erwin (2003).

financials · form 990EZ · fy2024

revenue

Total revenue$21K

Contributions & grants$8K40%

Program service revenue——

Investment income——

Other revenue—

expenses

Total expenses$24K

Program expenses—

Admin / overhead—

Fundraising—

Salaries & benefits$8K

Grants paid out—

balance sheet

Total assets$34K

Cash—

Investments—

Liabilities—

Net assets$34K

4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -47.3%

leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1

Name	Title	Hours/wk	Compensation
ANN JACOBS	Admin Secretary	25	$6K

board members · 8

AL BOTTARI — Director
BILL SNYDER — Director
ED GORCH — Director
KATHY SAVAGE — Director
MERRITT COMPTON — Director
MICHAEL FARRUGIA — Director
RICHARD KIRSCHNER — Director
ROBERT BROWN — Director

relationships · 25

Who they work with

American Cancer Society Partner — Donated funds and volunteer hours to support programs run by the American Cancer Society.
American Red Cross Partner — Donated funds and volunteer hours to support programs run by the American Red Cross.
Bow Pro Partner — Offers adaptive archery solutions that provide additional setup options for physically challenged archers, in collaboration with New York Bowhunters, Inc.
Cornell University Partner — Collaborates with game biologists at Cornell University on CWD and EHD research to support deer herd health in New York State.
DEC, Hunter Education Dept. Government — Cooperates with New York Bowhunters, Inc. to provide information on adaptive equipment for physically challenged hunters.
Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Collaborated with DEC officials to establish urban bowhunting programs in Irondequoit and Erwin.
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Government — Follows the DEC's 9-region breakdown of New York State for organizational structure and regional programming.
Draw-Loc Partner — Provides adaptive archery equipment similar to Pullin Archery and Bow Pro, used by physically challenged hunters supported by New York Bowhunters, Inc.
Finger Lakes Land Trust Partner — Cooperative hunting program providing NYB members access to FLLT properties in Regions #7 and #8.
Hunt of a Lifetime Partner — Donated funds and volunteer hours to support programs run by Hunt of a Lifetime.
NYS Discharge Law Government — References New York State discharge law regarding bow use, indicating alignment with state regulations.
National Archery in Schools Program Partner — Supported the launch of NASP in New York through funding and instructor training.
National Bowhunting Education Foundation Network — References the National Bowhunting Education Foundation (NBEF) as a key organization in shaping bowhunter education and cites its studies on bowhunting practices and motivations.
New York Field Archers and Bowhunters Partner — Engaged in discussions to clarify mission focus and seek cooperation on shared bowhunting issues.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Partner — Partnered with NYB to develop and support the youth bowhunter education program.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Government — Collaborates with DEC in shaping bowhunting regulations and policies.
North American Bowhunting Coalition Coalition — Helped form and is a member of the coalition representing tens of thousands of bowhunters across state, national, and provincial levels.
Professional Bowhunters Society Partner — Shared membership overlap and coordinated meetings during early organizational development.
Pullin Archery Products, Inc Partner — Collaborates with New York Bowhunters, Inc. to provide adaptive archery devices for physically challenged hunters.
Sullivan County Archers Partner — Local affiliate organization hosting youth bowhunting education programs in Monticello, NY.
Town of Erwin Partner — Worked with town officials to establish a controlled urban bowhunting program starting in 1999.
Town of Irondequoit Partner — Partnered with town officials and law enforcement to implement and expand the urban bowhunting program.
US Army Partner — Collaborates with U.S. Army personnel to support troops and veterans through the Camo to Camo program.
United States Troops in Iraq Partner — Provided archery equipment and established recreational ranges for U.S. troops serving in Iraq through the Camo to Camo program.
other organizations with similar interests Partner — Cooperates with and assists organizations that share interests in bowhunting, conservation, and wildlife management.

strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

Ethics-Based Traditional Bowhunting as Conservation Practice

methodology: ethical_hunting_for_conservation
By promoting bowhunting as an ethical, skill-based, and close-range practice rooted in tradition, the organization supports wildlife conservation and responsible land use, because this method fosters respect for game and aligns hunting with ecological stewardship.
Inclusive Access Through Adaptive Equipment and Affordable Membership

methodology: inclusive_access_model
By providing adaptive equipment solutions and maintaining low-cost membership tiers, the organization enables participation among youth, aging, and physically challenged individuals, because removing physical and financial barriers expands equitable access to bowhunting without compromising traditional ethics.
Member-Driven Advocacy for Bowhunting Preservation

methodology: member_driven_advocacy
By using member-driven polling and grassroots organizing, the organization shapes policy positions and defends bowhunting seasons, because collective input strengthens legitimacy and mobilization in advocacy efforts with state agencies like the DEC.
Urban Wildlife Management Through Community-Engaged Bowhunting

methodology: community_based_wildlife_management
By implementing urban bowhunting programs supported by factual outreach and public relations, the organization balances deer populations in suburban areas while maintaining public safety and support, because community engagement reduces opposition and legitimizes bowhunting as a modern wildlife management tool.
Youth Engagement Through Experiential Learning and Gamification

methodology: experiential_youth_engagement
By engaging youth through hands-on volunteerism, structured membership programs, and tiered skill challenges with rewards, the organization ensures intergenerational continuity of bowhunting, because experiential learning and recognition motivate sustained participation and identity formation.