Archery Trade Association
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The Archery Trade Association, formerly known as the Archery Manufacturer and Merchant's Organization, (AMO) is a non-profit trade organization for the promotion of archery and bowhunting through sale of equipment, projects in archery education, the standardization of equipment measures, and the sponsorship of events.[1] It includes manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and other companies associated with these industries.[2]
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[edit] History
The ATA was originally formed in 1953 in Wisconsin as the Archery Manufacturers and Dealers Association (AMADA),[3] containing within its initial membership such renowned archers as Fred Bear and Bob Lee.
One of its first tasks was the standardization of bow string lengths,[4] resulting in a measure (called "AMO length") that is currently still in use.[5]
In the 1960s it shortened its name to the Archery Manufacturer's Association, or the Archery Manufacturer and Merchant's Organization, (AMO) and its membership (mostly consisting of manufacturers) was greatly increased in the 1970s with the innovation of the Compound bow. In 1991 the organization moved its central location to Gainesville, Florida under the presidency of Dick Lattimer. In 1997, with the debut of the AMO Archery Trade Show, the funding formerly provided by companies' donations was replaced by the profits generated from this event.[4]
In 2003, the AMO was reorganized into the ATA[6] and two separate but associated foundations (Arrowsport and the Bowhunting Preservation Alliance) in order to increase fund-raising and provide focus for the industry regarding the promotion, protection and growth of archery and bowhunting.
[edit] Foundations
The two foundations associated with the ATA, for which it provides funding and direction, are both tax-free organizations devoted to education and research, although they are geared toward different goals.[6]
[edit] Arrowsport
Arowsport was formed in 2002 as an advocacy group for archery promotion and growth.[7][8] It consists of a coalition of organizations within the archery industry, including:
- National Field Archery Association
- USA Archery
- Archery Shooters Association
- International Bowhunting Organization
- American Crossbow Federation
- National Alliance for the Development of Archery
According to its current director, three time Olympian Denise Parker, the five main objectives of the foundation[7] are:
- lowering barriers to entry into archery and increasing shooting opportunities
- the growth of recreational archery
- the maintenance and increase of the number of archers
- increased public awareness of archery
- assisting with the unification archers and archery organizations
[edit] Bowhunting Preservation Alliance (BPA)
Whereas Arrowsport focuses on the sporting aspects of archery, the Bowhunting Preservation Alliance (BPA) – also formed in 2002[8] – has as its primary objective the promotion of bowhunting,[9] which involves the taking of game animals.
The group has established five objectives[10] for the support of bow hunting. According to president and CEO Jay McAninch, a former wildlife biologist,[11] these objectives are:
- the maintenance and growth of the number of bowhunters
- increased bowhunting opportunities
- increased public awareness of bowhunting
- lowered barriers to bowhunting opportunities
- assisting with the unitfication of bowhunters and bowhunting organizations
[edit] Membership
In the year 2000 the AMO consisted of more than 600 manufacturers, dealers and distributors.[4] Today the number of companies in its membership exceeds a thousand.[12]
[edit] Standards
Common standards established by the AMO/ATA[13] include:
- length of bow strings (AMO length)
- "draw weight" of a bow, or the number of pounds of force required to draw a 28 inch arrow to a full shooting position.
- standard "string height," the perpendicular distance between a strung bow and its string (see Fistmele for a previous means of measuring this distance)
- level of tension in the bow string of a braced bow
- arrow length standards
- arrow spine (stiffness) deflection values
- bow sight and accessory standards
- bow stabilizer standards
- draw length standards
- broadhead and field arrow fletching standards
- bow and arrow standard nomenclature (see List of archery terms)
[edit] Publications
The ATA and its foundations produce Insight, a bulletin designed to provide readers with updated information about the industry. It is also a contributor to Inside Archery, and promotes awareness of Chronic wasting disease alongside the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance, of which it is a sponsor.[14]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Pszczola, Lorraine (1971), Archery, p. 69, W.B. Saunders Company, ISBN 0-7216-7388-0
- ^ Federal Lands Hunting, Fishing, and Shooting Sports Roundtable at the USDA Forest Servicewebsite
- ^ Lattimer, Dick (2006), I Remember Papa Bear: The Untold Story of the Legendary Fred Bear Including His Secrets of Hunting, p. 23, Ihunt! Communications, ISBN-10: 0972132139
- ^ a b c Boyles, Carolee (2000), "Amo Provides Millions To Preserve Hunting," Shooting Industry, April 2000
- ^ "String length," Martin Archery Traditional Bow Manual at martinarchery.com
- ^ a b "About ATA," at archerytrade.org
- ^ a b "Arrow Sport" at archerytrade.org
- ^ a b Dettloff, Mary (2006), "Archery Trade Association Named Partner in Conservation by DNR," Department of Natural Resources at michigan.gov
- ^ "Bow Hunters Unite" at the Manchester Bow Hunters website
- ^ Durkin, Patrick (2004), "BPA Works To Increase Support for Bowhunting," at bowhunting.net
- ^ "Bowhunting Preservation Alliance" at archerytrade.org
- ^ "Membership" at archerytrade.org
- ^ AMO Standards at archerysearch.com
- ^ Sponsors of the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance
