Hi to all our ITB members!
We couldn’t have asked for nicer weather for the Friday afternoon setup and Saturday Fallen Archers shoot! Beautiful clear skies and a light breeze, with cool morning temperatures warming to the low seventies by mid afternoon, made it a perfect day for our shooting event. The sky would frequently erupt with the sight and sounds of snow geese and Canada geese circling enmass above the marsh. They were joined by a pair of marsh hawks cruising the mown fields for rodents. Bill and I arrived about 11am and were visited by the Fish and Game officer, Steve Dempsey, out checking the Wildlife Management Area and happy to welcome us for the shoot. Dave and Lisa arrived with the target trailer at about noon and other willing folks began to show up; Jack Wassard, Don Schroeder, Pat Lopez, Butch Olson, and Scott Neville. With two ATV’s and a well seasoned crew, the 23 targets were quickly set up, and we were able to shoot a round of targets well before sunset. Don Schroeder set the entire course with Bowhunter Challenge stakes, so everyone who came to the shoot got a chance to try out the “archery yoga” positions from the colorful stakes! Thanks Don, for the flexibility exercises!
A nice warm fire took the chill off the frosty morning air, while we got organized to begin registration and welcome new and returning traditional archers. Shooters began showing up and filling the parking area with vehicles, unloading chattering, smiling people of all ages, young and old!. Our lone, exceptional vendor, Pat Lopez put out a nice selection of beautiful bows, arrows, and leather gear. Our apologies to a couple of folks who had difficulty following the directions on the flyer. We made a note to be sure and update the information about getting to the shoot next year. Sixty-nine shooters signed up to do the course.
Archers hiked around the course, usually in small groups, with lots of kids enjoying the fresh outdoor air and the fun of learning and practicing traditional archery. Bill and Janet, Lisa, and Casey Cogan supplied three different kinds of chil: traditional burger chili, chicken white bean chili, and vegetarian chili with fresh morel mushrooms, a gourmet fare! Other folks added food to the table and it was a hearty lunch for all.
People continued to shoot through the day, often doing the course two or three times, picking different stakes to shoot from, or trying the bowhunter challenge positions listed on the tags hanging from the stakes.. At about 2:30pm the cards for the kids competition had been handed in and the awards ceremony for the categories were given: PeeWee up to 6, (Berkley Oversby 1st, Finley McDaniel 2nd, Merrick McDaniel 3rd); Cubs 7-10, (Landon Carman 1st, John Christian 2nd, Alister Martin 3rd); Youth 11-13, (Quinn Carman 1st, Aiden Cogan 2nd, Wyatt Oversby 3rd) and Young Adult 14-18 (No shooters in this bracket).
The parking lot began to clear out, as tired folks headed home and the big crew of faithful hard workers stayed to help take down the course and load the target trailer. A big thank you to those who pitched in to make the course take down a quick and efficient task, a true community effort!
It was great to see familiar faces after the long winter and to renew friendships and welcome new members. Thanks to all of you who showed up, and those of you who have renewed your memberships; it keeps our club going and everyone is appreciated.
Warmest regards to all and a special thanks to the many volunteers who made this shoot possible and really fun!
In Gratitude, Janet Houlihan
Coming up: Zoom meeting April 11th and Bowbirds and litter pickup April 27th.
