Hitting the mark: Archers prepare for weekend 3-D shoot

By Russell Sellers, Army Flier Staff WriterJuly 13, 2011

Hitting the mark: Archers prepare for weekend 3-D shoot
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Shooting in 3-D isn’t reserved for just the movie theaters this summer, according to Fort Rucker Archery Club members.

Those looking to get into the middle of the action, literally, have the opportunity to participate in the Southeast Alabama 3-D Archery Shoot at the Fort Rucker Archery Range Saturday, July 16.

Registration for the event begins at 8 a.m. with the shoot starting at 9 a.m., said Larry Cornell, Archery Club president. The event is open to the public and anyone with their own archery equipment is welcomed to participate. Cost of participation is $20 for ages 9 and above and free for children 8 and under.

“It’s a shoot for traditional archery and compound bow shooters,” Cornell said. “It’s a good opportunity to get outdoors and to see that Fort Rucker has a great archery range for those who are interested in the hobby or for bow hunters who want to keep their skills sharp.”

Cornell added that more shooters come out to the club in the summer months to keep in practice while waiting for deer season to begin again. Others come out to learn the practice because hunting with a gun is “too easy.”

“This provides a bigger challenge for hunters,” he said. “That’s why a lot of people get involved with bow hunting in the first place. But, it’s also a great way to get outdoors and have fun.”

The organization is a non-profit and all the money gained through entry fees will go into the club and to the winners of the shoot.

“Half of the money goes to pay for things the club needs like targets and equipment upkeep while the other half goes to the prize for the winners,” Cornell added.

The tournament consists of multiple divisions ranging from “cub” to “unlimited.” The range is all wooded with some up-hill, down-hill and tree stand terrain. The event will feature 25 3-D targets and there will also be food and drinks available, Cornell said.

The shoot is also continuing the tradition of the club that Howard Beeson, club treasurer and secretary, has kept alive since arriving at Fort Rucker in 1970.

“About 70 percent of our membership is from military people living and working on post,” Beeson said. “We have only a few outside civilians, but it is open to anyone who wants to come out and shoot.”

The event also acts a membership drive for the club as it give those coming out a chance to see what the Archery Range has to offer and allows them to meet with current club members and establish new friendships, Cornell added.

Sgt. 1st Class James Frost has been a club member for more than a year and said he and his children will attend the shoot Saturday because it’s a great Family event for them.

“There’s going to be several Families out here shooting and it’s a great way to spend time with your Family,” he said.

Frost said he’s been to several other ranges at different military installations, but has rarely seen an archery range as well kept as Fort Rucker’s.

“It’s the best range I’ve ever seen in the Army,” he said. “One of the first stops I make at a new post is the archery range. I’ve seen ranges that aren’t kept up at all and I’ve seen this where there’s a lot of care put into it.”

For more information, call 347-4990, 389-6135 or 931-302-6406.