The OBA may turn into an organization worth being a member of in time. Most of the issues I had with the OBA are likely dying with the older members. I don't mean to sound callous, but that is how it is. There are, and always have been, good members in the OBA. Unfortunately, it turned into a venue for arguments. I'm already married, don't need any more.
If I were to ever join again, it would be because of people like Greg Keaton. He's a good one, and works his tail off for the OBA. The OBA used to be set on a course to continually tick off potential members... they were more concerned with promoting what they felt bowhunting should be (Do it my way or don't do it). They were proud of their stance and spent more time demanding things stay that way than forming a fellowship. It cost them dearly...well, not really, as those that lead the charge are dying off and I suppose they went away thinking they had stood their ground and maintained their narrow-minded principles. Regardless, the goal of "promoting bowhunting" and "representing Ohio's bowhunters" was not at all accomplished from my point of view.
Like everything, I suppose the OBA will change with new membership that has no idea of the old battles the OBA waged. There is hope, I imagine. Not enough for me to re-join at this point.
Giles, the man with the big pile of sheds you mentioned is likely Wayne Bolton. I personally signed him up as a member years ago when I was a county rep for the OBA. I worked with his cousin, Mike, and knew they were bowhunters. I guilted them into membership, apparently they enjoy the organization as they are still members all these years later.
BTW, Greg Keaton, who I mentioned above, recently moved into our area. He lives between your town and mine. If you think you want to join up, give him a call. He'll be glad to talk for hours about all the good the OBA has done and is trying to do... he won't waste your time with all the in-fighting nonsense that pushed so many away.
For what it's worth; the last round of BS could have been avoided if Jamie and I would have been given the time to work out the details... the advisory board at the time deemed themselves kings and did what NONE of the membership wanted. In the process, they wasted a LOT of my time with their stupid meetings, etc. And yes, I hold a grudge!