Successful start to the season

Having been established in 1955, Coeur d’Alene Bowmen has seen its fair share of successful archery shoots.  

Even so, Cd’A Bowmen President Paul Clock said that last weekend’s shoot near Farragut was among the best.  

“We had one of our best shoots,” Clock said.  

Close to 600 people participated in the 3D archery shoot, which consisted of a 40-target course set up similar to a golf course.  

Archers aim for “vital areas” on targets designed to look and move like real game animals, such as elk. An archer can score an 11, 10, 8, or a 5 on each target depending on where in the “vital area” they hit the target.  

A score of 440 is perfect on the 40-target course.

“We’ll see scores in the 420s, but most people score in the 300-400 range,” Clock said.  

Cd’A Bowmen hosts three such shoots each year during the first weekends of April, June and August in the Farragut State Park area, in addition to other tournaments and leagues.

The shoots are open to all ages and ability levels.  

“Archery is a (lifetime) sport,” Clock said. “We’ll have three, four generations of a family come out to shoot together.” 

As a 501(c)(3), education and community outreach are a priority for Cd’A Bowmen. The club is holding youth archery classes in Post Falls for the next six weeks and often works with 4-H classes and church groups.  

“You get to see the enjoyment (archery) brings other people,” Clock said.  

The club currently has a range at the Coeur d’Alene Rifle and Pistol Club on Atlas Road, which is accessible to club members.  

However, Cd’A Bowmen hopes to eventually secure enough funding to open an indoor range that would be open to members year-round.

The club is a place of community, Clock added.  

“It’s almost kind of a way of life,” he said.  

    Almost 600 archers in total participated in last weekend's shoot, put on by Coeur d'Alene Bowmen.