Host the BAA World Championship

Section 1

The bid process & what to include

The submission deadline is announced each year (posted at the top of this page). Every bid must contain all of the following to be considered:

• You must be a paid BAA member before submitting — it shows your commitment to the BAA and what we're about.
• A full list of bowfishing species available to shoot.
• All bowfishing & boating regulations. If your state does not allow all forms of boat propulsion, you may not enter a bid in that state.
• Two locations (primary and backup) for launch / weigh-in that can each accommodate at least 100 boats.
• Both divisions — Big 20 and Numbers.
• Your volunteer count. About 20 people are needed over two days to assist in all aspects of the shoot (boat checks, parking boats, weigh-in needs a minimum of 6 volunteers in addition to the host & board members).
• Hotels within 45 minutes of the bid location.
• Your goal number of teams entering.
• The date and time of the shoot, weigh-in opening and closing times, and why you chose this date.
• All hosts who will run & coordinate the event (up to 3 recommended). It is strongly recommended that hosts do not shoot the event.
• A flyer to be presented to members, in our newsletter, and for formal voting (October 1–7) on the BAA website.
• The fish disposal plan — how fish will be used and removed from tournament grounds.
• Consideration of houses, campgrounds, airports and similar that may impact the tournament waters our members can fish — Worlds is a nationwide event for BAA members.
• By knowingly submitting a bid, you acknowledge you understand your role as a host and the responsibilities required by the BAA and its By-Laws.

Section 2

Voting — per the BAA By-Laws

Voting commences October 1 and concludes October 7. World Championship winners are announced by October 8. If the organization or individual winning the bid is unable to fulfill their obligations after the event has been awarded, it passes to the bid receiving the second-highest tally of votes. If a catastrophe occurs in the winner's area and the location must be moved, the location, date, and all other arrangements are decided by a vote of the Board of Directors.

Voting takes place on the BAA website; details are sent in our emailed newsletter and on our Facebook page.

Section 3

What the BAA expects from hosts

All tournament hosts are held to the standard of an officer of the BAA. We take the reputation of this event very seriously — as a host you become an extension of the BAA and a promoter of the BAA, and you conduct yourself in a manner paramount to the BAA and its World Championship's success, present and future. We expect 100% coordination with the tournament committee and the elected officers of the BAA. We are all in this together, and that coordination is what makes it succeed.

Section 4

The tournament committee & the winning bidder

The Officers and Board Members are here to help the winning bid with crucial information and guidance on running a national event. This committee consists of legacy members whose experience and dedication in the bowfishing industry were handpicked for different aspects of the World Championship — from working with law enforcement to mapping weigh-ins and fundraising for fish pots and expenses. They help the winning bidder with any questions or concerns and take the stress out of "not knowing what to do."

The committee does not do a host's volunteer work, and the winning host accepts responsibilities on behalf of the BAA without direct interference in the affairs of the Board of Directors and their duties outside of the World Championship. The committee consists of the winning host(s) and the Officers. It oversees, but is not limited to:

• The weigh-in & registration map
• Mapping / Redzone information
• Sponsorship questions & vendor items
• Expenses & reimbursement
• Social media help
• Insurance & forms
• Rules oversight

Section 5

Additional rules & policies

• If more than two bids are submitted, voting is done as a run-off — all bids are voted on and the top two advance to a final vote. Initial voting lasts one week; a run-off, if needed, also lasts one week.
• 15% of all money raised from auctions and raffles goes back to the BAA. This covers belt buckles, keeps the BAA Worlds trailer stocked and insured, and covers board-member Worlds travel — so it does not count against the tournament host's cost.
• Funding stays within the BAA. Worlds funding is distributed by the BAA only; fundraiser and auction funds are handled solely by the Secretary and the current Worlds host, with approval by the Board. T-shirt sales, buckles, and payouts are the shared responsibility of the BAA Board and the tournament host. The Secretary places all merchandise orders and payout checks per their BAA role.
• No more than two boats may be used; this rule takes effect 7 days prior to the event.
• Hosts must contact the DNR / Wildlife agency before the event to inform them of what is taking place.
• Members pay once to vote in a run-off.
• As voted in 2023, Worlds venues no longer alternate between northern and southern regions.

A proposal to allow scouting/shooting up to 24 hours before the tournament did not pass; the "no bows in the boat" window on tournament waters remains at the host's discretion (currently 24–72 hours).

BAA By-Laws

Article XII: World Championship

The BAA Board of Directors shall award the World Championship location at the Annual Meeting to the organization or individual that receives the most votes.

• Each bid shall contain information concerning the site, functions, responsibilities, and monies the organization is willing to provide for hosting the World Championship.
• After the bid is awarded, the BAA and host enter into a contract outlining the agreed-upon site, functions, responsibilities, and monies. Neither party may cause indebtedness to the other without approval of the BAA President and the host.
• Host responsibilities and duties. The winning host is deemed interim Tournament Director of the BAA World Championship and is held to the standard of any BAA Director, representing the association to the highest of their abilities. The Director shall in no way undermine, redirect, or compromise the integrity, position, or sponsors of the BAA. If found negligent by majority vote of the Board, the host is relieved of their duties and a suitable host is determined upon Board review.

Voting & other provisions

• Amended 2017 — general members wishing to vote for the World Championship location pay a $10 fee to vote. Platinum and Premium members vote at no additional cost. All collected money is distributed as part of the tournament prize money.
• The World Championship is held on a weekend at the host's discretion to maximize success and participation, and cannot be held on the same body of water within 3 years.
• Amended 2021 — all participants must be current paying members.
• Amended 2022 — the Mason–Dixon Line is the north/south line; Missouri goes South. 75% of the fishing water must be in the host state. (Voted in 2023 to no longer alternate North vs. South.)
• Amended 2022 — all Worlds funding carries a 15% allocation to the BAA account (see Section 5).
• Amended 2022 — no more than two boats may be used.

Note: bid deadlines are announced each year (the By-Laws historically reference an August 15 date). Members receive written notice of all submitted bids on BAA social media and/or the website within 30 days of the event. Voting runs one week starting October 1 (members) with officer voting beginning November 1 (amended 2022).