Bowhunting, the alternative calibre.

When a hunter spots his quarry from a distance and lines up the crosshairs of his rifle scope, his hunt is already drawing to a close. As a Bowhunter you will continue to stalk through terrain of your quarry's own choosing, using hard earned skill, knowledge and determination in an attempt to outwit your quarry and to approach to within 20-30 yards before delivering a silent clean shot.

This is humane fair chase hunting, this is ethical hunting, this is Bowhbunting.

Already a seasoned hunter?

Whether you are already a seasoned hunter and would like to know more about a popular challenging alternative method of hunting, or whether you would like to be informed about the merits of Bowhunting as part of a carefully managed wildlife conservation programme, then please read on.

Our mission statement

The British Bowhunters Association intends to promote modern Bowhunting as an effective humane and ethical method of wildlife management and conservation, in order to set the conditions for re-introduction of Bowhunting in the UK.

As the UK's sole licenced provider of the 'International Bowhunter education Programme' (IBEP)  we run courses to cater for our members and other interested parties.

Bowhunting in Europe

The 'British Bowhunters association' holds a vice presidency at the 'European Bowhunting Federation', which has members from most European states.

The EBF is also an associate member of the 'European federation for Hunting and conservation', FACE is made up of the national hunters’ associations from 37 European countries including the EU-27.


FACE position on Bowhunting adopted.ACE position on Bowhunting adopted.


FACE position on Bowhunting adopted.

Legal status

Hunting with the Bow and Arrow was prohibited in the UK in 1965. In the most up-to-date Wildlife and countryside act 1981 its legal status remains unchanged.

Modern Bowhunting however, continues to develop and to be employed effectively alongside, and often as an alternative to firearms in many parts of the world, including the EU, as part of existing wildlife management and conservation initiatives. The BBA believes that modern Bowhunting would make a valuable contribution to existing UK wildlife management and conservation programmes and regional economies, as is demonstratable across Europe and elsewhere should legislation be reintroduced.

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