What is SABA?
The Southern Alberta Bow Hunters Association (SABA) was formed in 1979 by a group of bow hunters. It boasts the privilege of being one of the oldest (if not the oldest) archery groups in Alberta. Over the years, the association has evolved from being strictly dedicated to bow hunting to include other aspects of archery as well. While an evolution of the association was necessary to make the sport more widely available and more attractive to the community as a whole, a Board of Directors ensures that the integrity of the association and the sport remain intact and that traditional values in regards to archery and bow hunting are upheld. There are currently about 300 SABA members who consist of men, women, children, and families.
SABA is run by a dedicated group of volunteers. These volunteers play a very important role in helping the association to keep its services very affordable. The association's mission is "to provide an opportunity to all people regardless of age, sex, handicap, or social status to enjoy the sport of archery and/or bow hunting, and to protect and promote their interests. To ensure that the Southern Alberta heritage of archery is continued for generations to come". In order to "provide an opportunity to all people", services are very affordable. For example, a SABA membership which includes unlimited access to the outdoor range (members are given their own key) is only $60 person/year! Obviously, there is not enough money generated from membership fees to run all of the association's programs, which will be described below, as well as provide rental equipment and equipment repairs. The association generates funds for its facilities, programs, and equipment via entry fees for shoots, the Alberta Sports Lottery, and from Casino funding.
The policies upheld by SABA include rules for their archery ranges which encourage safe and responsible use of the facilities, as well as rules and regulations for entry of animals into their annual Pope and Young scoring day. The latter ensure that animals entered for scoring are harvested under rules of fair chase and according to legal regulations. For a copy of these rules and regulations, please see the Appendices at the end of this information packet. SABA is also involved in governmental issues related to bow hunting and archery. They are currently involved in lobbying the government to stop legislation that would place restraints on traditional, ethical bow hunting in some Southern Alberta Wildlife Management Units. They also work with Fish and Wildlife to take part in the decision making process for the hunting regulations that will be implemented each season. These are only a couple of examples of how SABA is involved in these types of issues.
So what is SABA? The Southern Alberta Bow Hunter's Association is an organization dedicated to archery and bow hunting as well as the community as a whole. The main goal, as stated in their mission statement, is to provide opportunities for all people to participate in archery in an effort to maintain a long-standing tradition of archery in the Southern Alberta area.
SABA is run by a dedicated group of volunteers. These volunteers play a very important role in helping the association to keep its services very affordable. The association's mission is "to provide an opportunity to all people regardless of age, sex, handicap, or social status to enjoy the sport of archery and/or bow hunting, and to protect and promote their interests. To ensure that the Southern Alberta heritage of archery is continued for generations to come". In order to "provide an opportunity to all people", services are very affordable. For example, a SABA membership which includes unlimited access to the outdoor range (members are given their own key) is only $60 person/year! Obviously, there is not enough money generated from membership fees to run all of the association's programs, which will be described below, as well as provide rental equipment and equipment repairs. The association generates funds for its facilities, programs, and equipment via entry fees for shoots, the Alberta Sports Lottery, and from Casino funding.
The policies upheld by SABA include rules for their archery ranges which encourage safe and responsible use of the facilities, as well as rules and regulations for entry of animals into their annual Pope and Young scoring day. The latter ensure that animals entered for scoring are harvested under rules of fair chase and according to legal regulations. For a copy of these rules and regulations, please see the Appendices at the end of this information packet. SABA is also involved in governmental issues related to bow hunting and archery. They are currently involved in lobbying the government to stop legislation that would place restraints on traditional, ethical bow hunting in some Southern Alberta Wildlife Management Units. They also work with Fish and Wildlife to take part in the decision making process for the hunting regulations that will be implemented each season. These are only a couple of examples of how SABA is involved in these types of issues.
So what is SABA? The Southern Alberta Bow Hunter's Association is an organization dedicated to archery and bow hunting as well as the community as a whole. The main goal, as stated in their mission statement, is to provide opportunities for all people to participate in archery in an effort to maintain a long-standing tradition of archery in the Southern Alberta area.