An Open Letter to the Archery Community
Dear Traditional Archery Enthusiasts and Archery Friends,
We’re writing to you as an ‘almost’ fresh-faced board of directors—most of us only started our traditional archery journeys between 2018 and 2022. While we may be new to this world, we’ve noticed something that’s been around for much longer: a sense of division in the archery community.
From hearing stories, it seems like archers have been grappling with frustrations and disagreements for quite some time, especially when it comes to organizations like Archery Canada and Archery Nova Scotia. There are plenty of rumours and opinions out there—some of them tinged with negativity or even envy. But we believe this doesn’t have to define our shared experience.
Let’s pause for a moment and remember why we all picked up a bow in the first place: to have fun, enjoy the craftsmanship of beautiful bows, maybe even try making our own someday. Archery is a passion that brings joy and connection, and we think it’s time to refocus on those positives.
Each organization in our community has something valuable to offer:
BANS champions the needs of Nova Scotia’s bowhunting community.
TAANS celebrates and supports traditional archery in all its beauty.
ANS fosters competitive archery, nurturing talent up to the world-class level.
How incredible is it that we have all these opportunities? There’s no need to choose between them—it’s not about picking sides. You can belong to one, all, or none, depending on what suits your journey with the bow and arrow. It’s all about what brings you joy.
To illustrate: Imagine one organization as a truck that can carry big sheets of plywood, while another is a sporty SUV, and yet another is a compact car. Each has its strengths, depending on the task at hand. None is inherently better or worse—they’re just different, and that’s okay!
What truly matters is that we respect what each organization brings to the table, avoid negativity (especially online), and focus on supporting one another. Let’s leave behind old grievances and work together to make our community vibrant and welcoming.
At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: to shoot arrows, enjoy this beautiful sport, and share it with others. By sticking together and staying positive, there’s so much we can achieve.
Here’s to a bright, united future in archery!
Warm regards,
TAANS Board of Directors
