ATA Sponsors PCBA’s Traveling Exhibition

Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America buys new exhibit trailer to demonstrate and promote archery, bowhunting and the special equipment that allows disabled people to enjoy archery and bowhunting.

  The Archery Trade Association has donated $1,500 to help the Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America hit the road once more with an exhibit trailer that visits deer shows and other public exhibitions to introduce archery and bowhunting to people with physical disabilities.

   The PCBA formed in 1993 and boasts several hundred members. It teams with hospitals and rehabilitation facilities to work with doctors, therapists and nurses to help patients learn or relearn archery skills for target shooting and bowhunting. The PCBA promotes the use of all types of archery equipment, including crossbows, by those with certain permanent physical disabilities during regular archery seasons.

   The group bought its first exhibition trailer in 1996, and has since traveled to countless deer shows, expositions and exhibitions to show the equipment that helps put physically challenged people onto the archery range and into the woods. Karen Vought, the PCBA’s secretary/treasurer the past 14 years, estimates the traveling trailer has spread the PCBA’s message to tens of thousands of people since the first one hit the road 10 years ago.

  “It’s a lot of work, but we have 11 officers and board members who pitch in and take turns working the shows,” Vought said. “We wouldn’t be able to do that without help from the ATA. We’ve been ATA members since the beginning, and we never miss a show, so we’re very grateful for the ATA’s support. It shows the industry’s commitment to helping people with disabilities enjoy our sports, whether it’s bowhunting, target archery or 3-D shooting.”

   Jay McAninch, ATA CEO/president, said the ATA is proud to sponsor the PCBA’s efforts because its members present a positive message that combines their love of archery with helping others. “Some groups seize every opportunity to accent differences of opinion on equipment preferences, but the PCBA looks for common ground that gets more people outdoors shooting arrows,” he said. “Their traveling trailer includes equipment from a wide range of manufacturers, demonstrating that no two disabilities are alike. Each disability must be addressed with a different combination of bows and special devices. It’s inspirational to see how PCBA members keep finding ways to introduce people to archery.”

  Vought said the traveling trailer includes tips and equipment from Mathews and BowTech, shooting rails for wheelchairs, locking devices that allow disabled archers to keep their compound bow at full draw, special equipment that allows wheelchair-bound archers to release a crossbow’s trigger by inhaling or exhaling, and an assortment of other gear that can be customized to address varied disabilities.

   To learn more about the PCBA, visit the group’s Web site, www.pcba-inc.org, or call (724) 668-7439 or (609) 737-7340. To learn more about the ATA’s efforts to promote archery and bowhunting, visit our Web site, www.archerytrade.org, or call toll-free (866) 266-2776.