First, let me say "thank you" for such an honor and a privilege to be nominated and accepted for your monthly feature, "Lady Bowhunter". It is a very humbling experience to be among the fine ladies that have been featured on your site. 

I’ve only been bow shooting since 1990 and bowhunting since 1994 when I was presented with a surprise bowhunt and took my first ever-hunting harvest, a beautiful Merino Ram. After that hunt, I was completely hooked! Since then, I've taken a Texas Dall Ram, an armadillo, a PA whitetail buck, a Black Bear from Saskatchewan Canada, bunnies, groundhogs and various small critters with my bow. This past fall I almost had my first turkey with a bow, one that I even called in myself. It was fabulous! I hope to be able to hunt for cougar, elk, antelope, caribou and moose sometime in the near future, but in the meantime, when the PA hunting seasons are in, you’ll be able to find me in the beautiful PA woods, hunting for whitetail! 

 I have two grown daughters, who each have daughters of their own. Kaylie Marie is 5 years old and MacKenzie Nicole is 7 months. I work full time as the office manager for two companies’ in my hometown of New Alexandria, PA.  I'm the secretary/treasurer for a national, non-profit organization, Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America, Inc. (PCBA)  (www.pcba-inc.org) and just recently been added to the Pro Hunting Staff for Doc's Deer Farm & Scents in Ohio.

I have always had a passion for traveling and working with people, especially the physically challenged. My husband was injured in an auto accident in 1982 and left a quadriplegic. At that time, there were no accessible outdoor recreational opportunities for the physically challenged that enjoyed hunting or other outdoor recreations. We became involved in our state-disabled group in 1989 to change that for all physically challenged. 

Before the accident, Marvin had started to bow hunt, but wasn't able to return to it due to his accident. PA didn't allow crossbows for anyone, including the physically challenged. That changed in 1990. With crossbows being allowed for the physically challenged, I became involved in shooting 3D with Marvin for practice. I'd decided that since he seemed to enjoy the bow shooting so much I'd give it a try. I Absolutely Loved It!!!! He wanted me to start hunting bow season with him, but I didn't really think I'd like to do that. However, as you seen above, that too, changed!

In 1993, we were invited to participate with a group of 25 physically challenged individuals from all across the U.S. in a bowhunt for Exotic Ram in Mississippi. While we were all there, we talked about and formed a national organization to introduce and promote archery and bowhunting to physically challenge. Hearing stories of their accidents or illnesses that rendered them physically challenged, I was totally in awe of them all, especially James Meacham, a totally blind bowhunter. The guts and determination to overcome such overwhelming odds was amazing. The accomplishments, determination, fortitude and inspiration to continue in a sport they felt such passion for "fired a stirring in me I didn't know existed."

A year after PCBA formed, I was appointed the treasurer for this unique premier organization. Then in 1995, I was asked to take the office of secretary, too. 

The PCBA has given me the opportunity to meet with and talk to individuals from all over. The calls and emails I receive telling me of their desperation of never (or so they think) being able to return to archery and bowhunting again. For some, they've given up on life altogether, until they hear about other physically challenged just like themselves and how they've "overcome their challenges" and returned to this wonderful, therapeutic sport.

My duties in the PCBA are not limited to the office of secretary or treasurer. I coordinate hunts, publish our quarterly newsletter, "The Good News", answer calls and emails, keep all membership records, keep record of the finances, arrange our events, travel to various shows, such as AMO (Archery Manufacturers Show), participate in our various fundraising activies and work on our hunts and other events. It's a great deal of work sometimes, but one I truly love with all my heart!

There is no better gratitude for me than to see the tears, smiles and pride on their faces when they hit the target the first time or harvest their first animal. 

Some of our hunts become very emotional, but everyone leaves with a different perspective than when they arrived. They now have an extended family that they keep in touch with throughout the year. And in the back of all our minds, as we're saying our good-byes with tears in our eyes, we're counting down until the next PCBA function when we'll all (god willing) return again to renew old friendships and make more new ones.

Anyone can become involved with the PCBA. Visit us at www.pcba-inc.org
All the best in Bowhunting!
Karen