National Archery in the Schools program continues to grow

The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is an US school program aimed at promoting archery and exercise amongst young people.

The program is growing at an astonishing rate, and continues to grow nationally, with 1.7 million students participating in the program during the 2010-2011 school year.

In New York, the program is sponsored by DEC and has reached more than 21,500 students at 141 schools from 97 school districts. NASP promotes student education and physical education, and is a great way to introduce young people to archery and other shooting sports.

If you live in New York and are interested in volunteering in the program or nominating a school then you should contact Melissa Bailey, the state program coordinator, at (315) 793-2515 or mrbailey@gw.dec.state.ny.us. Visit www.dec.ny.gov/education/81939.html for more information about the New York program.

In Toronto there are a number of schools which operate archery clubs - but you will need to ask around to find out which schools have such clubs.

Archery Shopping Tip - Kit Bows

Looking to buy a loved one a bow for Christmas this year?

Here is a hot tip. Buy a Kit Bow.

Buying a kit saves you a tonne of money that you would have spent on arrows, bracer, quiver and all the equipment you would have purchased anyway. You save money, get everything you need and it all comes in one large package.

Regardless of whether you are buying recurve or compound, a kit bow set will save you money and offer way more value for your dollar.

The Best Bowhunting Gear 2010

Best Value Compound Bows

Pantera from Martin Archery

While continuing Martin Archery’s tradition of value, the Pantera is loaded with proprietary features, such as the pivoting ROTO Cup limb system, Thermal V grip, Shock Terminator Suppressor and Cable Containment System. As well, a sleek new riser helps keep the bow light and easy to balance. With a 7¼-inch brace height, and measuring 32¼ inches between axles, the Pantera weighs just 3½ pounds and sports an 80 per cent let off.

Available in draw weights of 60 or 70 pounds, with draw lengths of 26 to 31 inches, this compound has an IBO rating of 320 fps.

Carbon Matrix from Precision Shooting Equipment

New to PSE’s X-Force line, the AXE 7 has an Inner Cam system that provides a smoother draw and an incredible six inches of draw-length adjustment, without compromising speed.

With a forgiving seven-inch brace height and an IBO rating of 335 fps, this bow also features America’s Best Bowstrings, Vibracheck Backstop, B.E.S.T. grip and preloaded past-parallel limbs. Weighing just four pounds, it measures 32½ inches axle to axle and has a 75 per cent let off.

Destroyer 350 from BowTech

Quiet, accurate, forgiving and easy to draw, the Destroyer 350 features an adjustable, geared OverDrive Binary cam system that all but eliminates slippage and timing problems. As well, the new FLX-Guard cable containment system flexes inward as the bow is drawn to prevent unwanted torque on the riser.

Measuring 323/8 inches between axles, the 4.1-pound bow has a six-inch brace height, draw lengths of 25 to 30 inches and 80 per cent let off. And with draw weights of 50 to 70 pounds, it has an IBO rating of 350 fps.

Best Mechanical Arrowheads

T3 Broadhead from G5 Outdoors

This three-blade expandable broadhead features the unique Spider Clip system for blade retention, allowing shooters to tune their blades without the need for rubber bands and O-rings. The 100-grain head has a 1½-inch cutting diameter and deploys easily, even with lower-poundage bows.

Constructed of stainless steel for maximum strength, the T3 has a field-tip profile when closed. It’s ideal for high-speed bows or crossbows, and for providing pass-through shots.
Best release aid

RIPshot from RIP Archery Corporation

This new device is designed to rest your trigger hand, giving you the stability to consistently shoot smaller groups. The RIPshot attaches to your elbow, and allows you to fasten your trigger release to perfect draw length. Drawing your bow from the elbow also takes advantage of your larger back muscles, giving you the stability to stay at full draw longer.

The RIPshot is ideal for small-framed shooters who have trouble drawing enough weight for hunting situations.

Best Arrowrest

Opposition Rest from Schaffer Performance Archery

Providing total arrow containment and clearance, the Opposition Rest holds the arrow in place between the pylons until you draw, at which point the arrow is automatically raised and rested in the firing position.

The rest can also be locked in the up position and used as a normal rest for treestand hunting or stalking. It comes with a universal mount, as well as custom-fit mounts for Mathews, Hoyt and PSE bows.

The Toronto Public Archery Range

There seems to be a shortage of websites with good instructions (or a map) on how to get to the Toronto Public Archery Range.

So here you go~! A map!

Google Maps doesn't even list it as a location that is searchable and most websites out there do describe where it is (south of the Ontario Science Centre), near Don Mills Road and Eglinton... but just "south" is kind of vague and there's no signs pointing to where the range is. Its surrounded by trees and short of asking locals for directions you really need a satellite view of the area to get a good idea of where it is.

First Day of Archery for this Season

Today is my first day of archery for this season.

Last year I bought a longbow from Central Surplus on Yonge Street and today I am going to the archery range at the Ontario Science Centre (Toronto's only public range) to start my new season of training with the bow.

The only other major Toronto archery range is in the basement of Hart House at U of T.

So far my experience with this bow is that it tends to shoot to the left so I compensate by shooting a bit to the right and then I hit the target most of the time.

When I think back to last year when I first got this bow, my first day of trying archery I managed to get 1 bull's eye the entire time. My fingers were very sore, because I didn't have any finger gloves and my left arm was sore because the arm guard that came with the kit was so crappy I was better off not wearing anything.

My advice? Don't have an arm guard? Take an old THICK sock, cut the toes off of it, and then pull that over your arm. It will protect your arm nicely. Won't be too fancy, but it will work.

Since then I've made myself a leather arm guard using a piece of rawhide and then stringing it with a shoelace. It works wonderfully.

For your fingers I recommend finger gloves or a bone / ivory or wooden thumb release ring. It is trickier to use and you have to find the perfect size for your thumb, but thumb rings are a great alternative to finger gloves.

Some people like to swear by leather release tabs, but I hate those things and find them annoying.

I would use a release clicker before using a leather release tab. Release clickers are commonly used by hunters with compound bows, and they provide a smoother release.

The only trick with a release clicker is that they're very sensitive and you can accidentally bump the trigger when you aren't planning to. SO BE CAREFUL.

The last bit of advice I want to give here is to bring food and water with you. The archery range gets hot and its nice to take a break and drink / eat while doing archery.

Last summer I took a lot of Powerade with me and I will likely continue to do so in the future. I also recommend watermelon, peanut butter granola bars (preferably homemade), salads, sandwiches and fruits.