The Australian Bowhunters Association is the peak body for bowhunting in Australia. If you’re serious about hunting on private land in WA, this membership is the first thing you should sort out.
The Australian Bowhunters Association (ABA) is the national organisation that represents bowhunters across the country. It’s been around since 1966. They run 3D competitions, field archery events, proficiency testing, and — crucially — provide public liability insurance to members. In WA, the ABA has a state branch with affiliated clubs across the metro area and regional centres.
Think of it as your professional membership. Plenty of blokes and women in the WA bowhunting community reckon it’s the single most useful thing you can do before you start approaching landowners. And they’re right. You set the rules. We make sure they’re followed — and the ABA is part of how we back that up.
This is the big one. Your ABA membership includes $20 million in public liability cover while you’re engaged in bowhunting activities. When a farmer asks “are you insured?” you can hand them the certificate. That’s a conversation-changer. Most landowners won’t even consider letting someone on their property without insurance, and fair enough.
ABA clubs run regular 3D shoots — foam animal targets set at realistic distances in bush settings. This is the best preparation for field hunting. The proficiency awards (trophy class, master class) give you structured goals and demonstrate to landowners that you take your shooting seriously. If you’re just getting started, 3D shoots are where you want to be.
WA’s ABA clubs are full of experienced hunters who are happy to help newcomers. Blokes who’ve been hunting pigs for twenty years. Women who can outshoot most of us. Younger hunters keen to learn. These clubs are where you find mentors, hunting mates, and the knowledge that doesn’t come from YouTube videos. Wanneroo, Whiteman Park, and regional clubs around Bunbury, Albany, and Geraldton all run regular events.
“I’m a member of the Australian Bowhunters Association and I’m fully insured” — that sentence opens doors. It tells the landowner you’re not some random with a bow who saw a pig video online. You’re part of an organisation with standards, insurance, and accountability. Read our land access guide for more on how to use this in your landowner conversations.
Adult membership runs around $90 per year. Family memberships are available at a discount. There’s also a joining fee for new members (around $20-30). Prices can vary slightly by branch and year, so check the ABA website for current rates.
For what you get — $20M insurance, club access, events, a community of experienced hunters — it’s cheap as chips mate. Most people spend more on broadheads in a year.
The process is straightforward:
Visit the ABA website (bowhunters.org.au) and find the membership section.
Choose your membership type — individual, family, or junior.
Fill in the application form online or download a paper form.
Pay the membership fee and joining fee.
You'll receive your membership card and insurance certificate. Keep a copy of the insurance cert on your phone — you'll want to show it to landowners.
Find your nearest WA club and rock up to the next shoot. Introduce yourself. Ask questions. People are welcoming.
The ABA’s WA branch coordinates clubs and events across the state. They run a state championship, inter-club competitions, and social shoots throughout the year. The WA branch is active on social media — their Facebook page is a good place to keep up with upcoming shoots and events.
If you’re in Perth, Wanneroo and Whiteman Park clubs are the most accessible. South of the river, there are clubs in the Peel and South West regions. If you’re regional, Geraldton, Bunbury, and Albany all have established clubs. Rock up, have a yarn, and get involved. Nobody cares if you can’t hit the broadside of a barn yet — everyone started somewhere.
If you want to hunt on private land in WA, get your ABA membership before you do anything else. It’s your insurance, your credibility, and your entry point into a community of hunters who actually know what they’re doing. Then read the legal overview, brush up on our code of conduct, and get yourself to the Landowner Access Guide.
The guide is free. The community is free. Just a bunch of WA bowhunters helping each other out. No gatekeeping, no fees.
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