Member Only Hunts
2026 ANNOUNCED MEMBERSHIP HUNTS
I am writing this at the beginning of November 2025 after attending the Blue Ridge Membership Hunt hosted by Councilman Randy Brookshier; it has been a busy year and we only have two more membership hunts remaining in 2025, and then we start all over but bigger and better in 2026! Councilman Tim Denial is hosting a NW PA hunt for deer in early November and Jerry Russell is hosting the Blackbeard Island GA hunt for deer and hogs in December. The unexpected government shutdown did affect several fall membership hunts on federal land, especially the LBL hunt which had to be cancelled. Several other hunts, like the Sika deer hunt in MD and the Blue Ridge hunt in VA, were in doubt but were able to go on as planned. The PBS met one big and important goal related to Membership Hunts for 2025, which was having a ladies-only bowhunt, thanks to Ginger and Dan Brockman at their place in Nebraska. They plan to repeat that hunt in the fall of 2026 with hopefully more and/or new ladies, and we want to get the Youth Hunts going again in 2026. My own son and I attended the last PBS Youth Hunt, which was for elk in Utah in 2008 or so, and it was awesome. He was just 12 years old and got to spend a week in elk camp with other very enthusiastic young bowhunters and their awesome hosts/mentors. For 2026, we still would like to add spring turkey and bowfishing for carp/gar to our list of hunts, maybe spring bear as well (we have done these in the past). Contact me at [email protected] with questions or suggestions.
With the fall hunting seasons winding down and winter approaching, NOW is the time to plan your 2026 hunts by contacting the hosts of the following known membership hunts. Don’t wait too long because while some of these hunts are unlimited in the number of attendees, most have a limit for practical reasons. And if you can’t get in on a hunt you are really interested in, keep trying – get on the back up list and let the host know of your strong interest. Often a cancellation happens and the next person on the list will get a call and opportunity to join the hunt. Let me know if you wish to host a membership, I can tell you from experience that they can be a lot of work but are so rewarding. Here is the list of known 2026 membership hunts – you might notice that several hunts offered in 2025 won’t be offered in 2026, due to the hosts going on other hunts next fall and not being available:
-Jeff Holchin
With the fall hunting seasons winding down and winter approaching, NOW is the time to plan your 2026 hunts by contacting the hosts of the following known membership hunts. Don’t wait too long because while some of these hunts are unlimited in the number of attendees, most have a limit for practical reasons. And if you can’t get in on a hunt you are really interested in, keep trying – get on the back up list and let the host know of your strong interest. Often a cancellation happens and the next person on the list will get a call and opportunity to join the hunt. Let me know if you wish to host a membership, I can tell you from experience that they can be a lot of work but are so rewarding. Here is the list of known 2026 membership hunts – you might notice that several hunts offered in 2025 won’t be offered in 2026, due to the hosts going on other hunts next fall and not being available:
-Jeff Holchin
ARIZONA JAVELINA, MULE DEER AND COUES DEER
january 9-22, 2026
Arizona hunt for Javelina, mule deer and Coues deer from January 9 until about January 22, 2026 for a reserved campsite, with the usual flexibility of coming and going as you please. Rick Wildermuth is trying something different this year and possibly this year only – no limit on the number of attendees! This hunt is a PBS classic and is a truck-camp type of hunt on public land. There is usually good weather but it is January so bad weather is possible, but the food is always good and there are always animals somewhere nearby to chase! Contact Rick at [email protected] if interested and to see how you can help out, if you plan to attend.
DAVIS MOUNTAIN, TX, HOG AND JAVELINA HUNT
JANUARY 10-18, 2026
FEBRUARY 14-22, 2026
Davis Mtn TX hunt for pigs and javalina – Vice president William “Bubba” Graves puts on a very popular hunt in the rugged Davis mountains of western Texas. This is a backpack-in hunt on private land (the owner charges a small access fee) in some ruggedly beautiful country – snow and bad weather are possible with the hunt dates. Better be in shape for this one and know a little about backcountry hunting – the 2026 dates are January 10-18 and February 14-22 but both weeks are full already; contact Bubba at 907-712-7856 if interested to get on the back-up list as there are usually cancellations and openings. Success is not guaranteed but a nice adventure with your fellow members in a unique setting is all but guaranteed. If you want to test your mettle with some serious bowhunters in rugged country, this is your chance!
JANUARY 10-18, 2026
FEBRUARY 14-22, 2026
Davis Mtn TX hunt for pigs and javalina – Vice president William “Bubba” Graves puts on a very popular hunt in the rugged Davis mountains of western Texas. This is a backpack-in hunt on private land (the owner charges a small access fee) in some ruggedly beautiful country – snow and bad weather are possible with the hunt dates. Better be in shape for this one and know a little about backcountry hunting – the 2026 dates are January 10-18 and February 14-22 but both weeks are full already; contact Bubba at 907-712-7856 if interested to get on the back-up list as there are usually cancellations and openings. Success is not guaranteed but a nice adventure with your fellow members in a unique setting is all but guaranteed. If you want to test your mettle with some serious bowhunters in rugged country, this is your chance!
NAMIBIA AFRICA HUNT
2026
Namibia Africa bowhunt - Jerry Russell has taken groups of PBS bowhunters to Namibia Africa for several summers now, and will take another group or two there in 2026 - Contact Jerry at [email protected] for information on this adventure and to see if he has any openings. If you want to experience an African bowhunting adventure with somebody who has “been there and done that,” here is your chance!
2026
Namibia Africa bowhunt - Jerry Russell has taken groups of PBS bowhunters to Namibia Africa for several summers now, and will take another group or two there in 2026 - Contact Jerry at [email protected] for information on this adventure and to see if he has any openings. If you want to experience an African bowhunting adventure with somebody who has “been there and done that,” here is your chance!
GEORGIA MOUNTAINS, BLACK BEAR HUNT
LATE SEPTEMBER 2026
Georgia mountains black bear hunt – Jerry Russell will again lead some bowhunters on this public-land hunt, probably in late September 2026 - you will learn how to do it from an expert in bowhunting mountain black bears but need to be in shape. The bears are there, so hopefully the weather will cooperate and some bears end up on the meat pole in 2026. Contact Jerry at [email protected] for more details or to get on the list.
WELCOMING WOMEN TO THE OUTDOORS EVENT
MID OCTOBER 2026
PBS Women's Program
Are you a woman who is interested in learning more about the outdoors? What's this bowhunting all about? ? How do I shoot a bow? How do I cook over an open fire? How do I find my way around the woods? Or which of the myriad of outdoor related skills would you like to learn? There are many woman associated with the PBS family who would like to expand their outdoor knowledge, but don't know where to begin.
PBS has a motto of "Knowledge through experience" that defines the underlying mission of PBS, that of sharing knowledge and information amoung the members. There are a wide variety of outdoor related skills that are almost impossible in which to become proficient without the instruction of someone who is skilled in that area. Even a seemingly simple task like picking the right shoes for an outdoor adventure can be daunting without the experience of others. Where do you begin?
Members Dan and Ginger Brockman are opening their property in north-central Nebraska to up to as many as four women who are interested in expanding their outdoor skillset in the first WELCOMING WOMEN TO THE OUTDOORS event. While the session will be geared towards bowhunting, and there will be the opportunity to hunt if participants desire, this isn't a typical "Membership Hunt". The actual topics will be taylored to the participants but topics could include: Learning to shoot a bow; scouting a hunting area and finding animal sign; butchering, meat prep, sausage making; sharping arrows; selecting bowhunting and outdoor equipment; building a fire; outdoor cooking; canoeing; fishing; and other skills like gardening, canning, and harvesting wild fruit. There will also be plenty of time to relax around the firepit and enjoy each other's company while sharing experiences.
Lodging and meals are provided, but participants who want to hunt would need the appropriate licenses (information available from Dan & Ginger). A nonresident season Choice Antlerless permit cost $95.00, and a Nebraska Habitat Stamp cost $25.00 If you would like more information on the event, please contact Ginger Brockman at: [email protected] or 402-760-0904.
Ladies-only Bowhunt for deer - Ginger and Dan will again host this amazing bowhunt with lady members on their place in Nebraska in mid-October 2026. Check out the article in this issue about this hunt for details, and contact them at [email protected] if interested. We could use more of these lady-only membership hunts, in other regions of the country, if possible.
Are you a woman who is interested in learning more about the outdoors? What's this bowhunting all about? ? How do I shoot a bow? How do I cook over an open fire? How do I find my way around the woods? Or which of the myriad of outdoor related skills would you like to learn? There are many woman associated with the PBS family who would like to expand their outdoor knowledge, but don't know where to begin.
PBS has a motto of "Knowledge through experience" that defines the underlying mission of PBS, that of sharing knowledge and information amoung the members. There are a wide variety of outdoor related skills that are almost impossible in which to become proficient without the instruction of someone who is skilled in that area. Even a seemingly simple task like picking the right shoes for an outdoor adventure can be daunting without the experience of others. Where do you begin?
Members Dan and Ginger Brockman are opening their property in north-central Nebraska to up to as many as four women who are interested in expanding their outdoor skillset in the first WELCOMING WOMEN TO THE OUTDOORS event. While the session will be geared towards bowhunting, and there will be the opportunity to hunt if participants desire, this isn't a typical "Membership Hunt". The actual topics will be taylored to the participants but topics could include: Learning to shoot a bow; scouting a hunting area and finding animal sign; butchering, meat prep, sausage making; sharping arrows; selecting bowhunting and outdoor equipment; building a fire; outdoor cooking; canoeing; fishing; and other skills like gardening, canning, and harvesting wild fruit. There will also be plenty of time to relax around the firepit and enjoy each other's company while sharing experiences.
Lodging and meals are provided, but participants who want to hunt would need the appropriate licenses (information available from Dan & Ginger). A nonresident season Choice Antlerless permit cost $95.00, and a Nebraska Habitat Stamp cost $25.00 If you would like more information on the event, please contact Ginger Brockman at: [email protected] or 402-760-0904.
Ladies-only Bowhunt for deer - Ginger and Dan will again host this amazing bowhunt with lady members on their place in Nebraska in mid-October 2026. Check out the article in this issue about this hunt for details, and contact them at [email protected] if interested. We could use more of these lady-only membership hunts, in other regions of the country, if possible.
land-between-the-lakes (LBL) , whitetail hunt
early october 2026
Land-between-the-lakes (LBL) hunt for whitetails on the KY side will be in early October 2026. Thousands of acres of prime public land country to hunt. There are multiple cabins for rent but also tent camping available, and unbelievable cooking! Some nice bucks hit the ground here in recent years. Contact Mark Wang at [email protected] if interested – there is a high capacity but the cabins fill up fast. This annual hunt has become a classic as the hunters figure out the area and fill some tags. Many of these hunts either have a low capacity or fill up very quickly, but this one is an exception to that rule.
catskills ny, deer and bear hunt
october 1-9, 2026
Catskills NY hunt for deer and bear – Joel Riotto has hosted this hunt for 3 years now but is turning it over to Val Jackson for October 2026. The 2025 hunt was successful, with numerous deer seen and one doe tagged by a member. The 2026 hunt will have a hunting period beginning on October 1, 2026 and extending at least a week, probably longer. The location will be the same centrally located public campground which provided easy access to different sections of the Delaware Wild Forest consisting of approximately 27,000 acres of big woods connected by approximately 33 miles of foot trails. If you ever wanted to experience a big woods hunt for deer and bear, here is your chance! Contact Val at [email protected] and make plans to attend this Northwoods hunt.
northern pa, deer hunt
NOVEMBER 2026
Northern PA deer hunt with Tim Denial and the Mercer County bowbenders – Tim will probably host this hunt again from November of 2026. Stay at a nice campground with showers and hunt thousands of acres with Tim. This will be in Warren County, management unit 2F and PA hunting licenses go on sale on June 1. This is a great time to experience the Northwoods of PA. Contact Tim Denial at [email protected] or 814-392-8785 if interested. Remember, Tim only shoots P&Y class bucks, so this is your chance to learn from an expert how to kill P&Y class bucks every fall, guaranteed!
Blackbeard Island GA, Deer and Hog Hunt
Dec 2-6, 2026
Blackbeard Island GA hunt for deer and hogs - this is the nation’s oldest organized archery hunt on an island with ancient oaks, Spanish moss, giant rattlesnakes, big gators, and lots of history. The deer are tiny but still fun to hunt, there are usually plenty of hogs and the weather is usually pleasant. This hunt is usually the first full weekend in December (arrive and scout on Wednesday, hunt Thursday-Saturday, and depart on Sunday), there is no limit on the number of hunters who can join this hunt, and our own Jerry Russell will use his boat to shuttle hunters to/from the island. Please do not bring too much gear. You will need both a GA big game license with deer tags and the NWR permit to hunt, and must follow the refuge rules to the letter. Contact Jerry at [email protected] for more details or to get on the list.
Dec 2-6, 2026
Blackbeard Island GA hunt for deer and hogs - this is the nation’s oldest organized archery hunt on an island with ancient oaks, Spanish moss, giant rattlesnakes, big gators, and lots of history. The deer are tiny but still fun to hunt, there are usually plenty of hogs and the weather is usually pleasant. This hunt is usually the first full weekend in December (arrive and scout on Wednesday, hunt Thursday-Saturday, and depart on Sunday), there is no limit on the number of hunters who can join this hunt, and our own Jerry Russell will use his boat to shuttle hunters to/from the island. Please do not bring too much gear. You will need both a GA big game license with deer tags and the NWR permit to hunt, and must follow the refuge rules to the letter. Contact Jerry at [email protected] for more details or to get on the list.
Member Hunt Wall of Fame
Land Between the Lakes Member HUnt, 2022
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PBS members gather for a hunt in South Texas in January 2021. L-R Mike Mitten, Don Parks, Preston Lay, Barry Wensel, Marty McManhon, Ed Downey, Dan Daly |
member hunt-arizona january 2020 |
From the left: Kevin Hall from CA, Mike Pfander - AZ, Quentin VanPelt - ID, Mathew Wilson - NV, AJ Wilson - NV, Anthony Martorana - CA, Jim Johnson - AZ, Mark Stevens - Oregon, Paul Marsden - AZ, and up front is Rick Wildermuth - AZ
Ages 23 to 72. |
marfa texas hog hunt 2020
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2022 davis mountain member hunt
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