On target

HAYDEN - Jake Furbee has been an archery enthusiast for as long as he can remember.

The Hayden 16-year-old helped his own cause last weekend when he and a team of volunteers built a permanent archery range at the Coeur d'Alene Skeet and Trap Club for his Eagle Scout project.

"I'm a big-time bow shooter, and there's not a public place locally to shoot," said Furbee, a member of Boy Scout Troop 228 and Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy student. "Archery takes a lot of patience and practice, but it's something that kids can easily get into. I'll definitely come to shoot here."

Furbee said the range is a pilot project of sorts that can be expanded on.

J.D. Owen, who manages the skeet club on Miles in Hayden, said the club has been looking to build an archery range for two years since it has the space to do it so Furbee's timing was good.

"Originally we were going to build one ourselves, but we're now supporting his effort," Owen said. "Since Jake has an opportunity to be an Eagle Scout, we're letting him do it."

Mark Peak, a member of the Coeur d'Alene Bowmen club, which assisted Furbee with the project along with fellow Boy Scouts, said a range has been badly needed.

"It will give kids a place to learn," Peak said. "A lot of people are interested in archery, but there's no where to shoot for our club. We'd like a place where we can permanently shoot. This is a start to that."

The club has been renting a building during the winter months.

The Furbee family are members of the skeet and bowmen clubs, so they are aware of the need for an archery range. Josh's mother Helen said she's proud of her son, especially since it was a rather elaborate Eagle Scout project. In addition to constructing the range itself, target mounts were made.

The range is 180 feet long and features five lanes that can have varying distances to the targets. The range is sectioned off and will have a sign with the range rules.

"This will get a lot of use," Helen said.