I came across this article on one of the local archery shops,
Flying Arrow Sports in Carmel, NY and thought I'd share it:
By Mike Dougherty
The Journal News
CARMEL - When newcomers stop by Flying Arrow Sports for a visit, the conversation inevitably drifts toward summer camp.
The common experience usually brings a laugh.
"It's kind of an old joke," said Mike Clement, who owns and operates the facility with partner Tom Ardis. "Everybody remembers that black-and-blue spot on their left arm, but that's not archery."
The regulars here are no longer prone to bruising. Many have learned the proper technique over a short period of time at the facility, which includes a well-stocked pro shop and indoor range. It's a sport that can be competitive or casual.
Some even find it therapeutic.
"Absolutely," said Tom Layton, a retired police officer whose sons have gotten involved with archery over the years. "It's a place you can go to vent and have a good time. There's always nice people there, and everybody is telling war stories."
Clement swears it's relaxing.
"It's something people do for themselves," he said. "There's something about the flight of the arrow, watching it and feeling it."
Participants come from all walks of life.
Flying Arrow Sports offers lessons by appointment for beginners. The range is open from 4-8:30 p.m. during the week and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays. A fee of $12 covers two hours of shooting, but participants must bring their own equipment due to liability issues. There are leagues running during the week, as well.
"It's an Olympic sport," Clement said. "We teach you how to shoot, not how to hunt. We get everybody from doctors and lawyers to school teachers and carpenters. It used to be a lot more popular, but adults rarely have time anymore. It's about the kids now. We used to get 65 people in a league, but now we only get a dozen or so."
A league for children ages 8-16 gets under way on Saturday afternoon.
"My kids had an interest so we wanted to find a safe environment to shoot because in order to get better you have to practice," Carmel resident Randy Knapp said. "What it does is teach kids patience and self-control. If you take a bad shot, you have to let it go. You focus and try again.
"There's a lot of camaraderie. It's competitive, but Mike has a handicap system to keep it balanced and make sure everybody has fun."
Getting into the sport does not require a huge investment.
"You can spend anywhere from $200 to $2,000 on a quality bow depending on what you want," said Clement, who's been a fixture behind the counter since 1991. "On the low end, you can get a basic recurve bow for your backyard along with a glove and some arrows. On the high end, you can get a compound bow with magnified sights and mechanical releases.
"Archery is one of the least expensive sports you can get into. You can buy a dozen arrows that will last you for three years. A target won't set you back much. And there are no greens fees. You can shoot in your backyard for free."
Layton is happy to see his kids get up from the computer to shoot, but Flying Arrow Sports also has a high-tech draw.
A side room in the 6,000-square-foot facility off Route 6 houses a Techno-Hunt system. It's basically a large simulator. Shooters go after rodents or elephants using blunt-tip arrows while a computer tracks scoring, which makes it popular in a league setting.
"You can shoot anything from small game to African stuff," Clement said. "It's great practice for those who do hunt, or just as a game."
Good luck to all contestants! Let the voting begin!
