Archery enthusiasts will find plenty of activity in South Carolina. Whether your taste is field archery or bow hunting, there is plenty of camaraderie in the South Carolina archery clubs. You'll find tournaments and practice shoots scheduled regularly. Archery associations such as the South Carolina Archery Association have clubs statewide on their roster. Training for new archers and contests for experts are available at clubs. The sport is practiced year-round at indoor and outdoor ranges.
History
The Sandune Archery Club, established in 1962, is the oldest target tournament archery club in South Carolina. The group wished to have a range to hold local shoots and got together to make that happen. But the history of archery as practiced in South Carolina may owe its existence to two former Confederate soldiers in Georgia. Stripped of their weapons at the surrender to Union troops, they turned to hunting with a bow. A former slave who was skilled with a bow taught them the art.
Archery Types
The three types of archery competition prevalent among South Carolina clubs are field archery, 3D archery and target archery. Many bow hunters who hunt animals belong to clubs to practice shooting when hunting is not in season. Field archery is shooting at targets of various distances on a course that is built on woodland or replicates that terrain. 3D Archery is the sport where life-size and three-dimensional animal targets are placed on a field archery course. Target archery is what you will see if you watch the Olympics. Targets are set at indoor distances of 18 and 25 meters and outdoor distances of 20 and 90 meters.
Hunting and Competiton
The Bowhunters of South Carolina is an example of a club that is interested in both bowhunting and competition. The organization promotes the sport of hunting with bows. They also espouse the philosophy that the use of bow hunting game animals can be a legitimate part of managing wildlife and natural resources responsibly.
Members of bow-hunting clubs also compete on outdoor ranges, especially 3D ranges.
All-Around Clubs
Clubs like the Marion Archery Club are all-around clubs that welcome every style of archer and are well-equipped to suit their needs. They participate in archery associations and host tournaments and shoots sanctioned by organizations such as Archery Shooters Association (ASA), South Carolina Bowhunter's Association (SCBA) and Palmetto Archery Federation (PAF). The club has a 30-target 3D range in woodland.They have a clubhouse and practice ranges with targets at distances between 10 and 70 yards.
Family-Oriented
Archery everywhere in the United States is a family sport. Parents and children alike enjoy shooting. Many clubs such as Wateree Archery Club make it a point to include families among their membership. They are proud to have archers from the ages of 4 to 70--women, men and children. The club hosts 3D tournaments at the state and club levels as well as casual shoots. Wateree Archery Club has a 20-target 3D range and practice bales. The club is to focuses on fun and friendly competition.
Member Comments