Cassandra Arend Director - AK 24240 Reese Rd Chugiak, AK 99567 907-306-8888 cassy52@gmail.com
Don Mendez Director - OR 3439 NE Sandy Blvd #209 Portland, OR 97232 503/753-3432 don.p.mendez@gmail.com
Matt Anderson Director - WA 4099 Jones Rd Oak Harbor, WA 98277 360/929-4330 mpa4matt@aol.com
James Metzner Director - WY 8 Mountain Man Trail Daniel, WY 83115 715/456-8570 Jamesmetzner2020@gmail. com
SOUTHEAST
Michael Stone Director - AL 15 Firehawk Ln. Webb, AL 36376 334/796-5583 Mstone4756@gmail.com
Mike Spence Director - FL 189 Paul Poppell Road, Perry, FL, 32347 734/649-6375 grysbok1mike@aol.com
Richard Diederich Director - GA PO Box 227 Meldrim, GA 31318 912/748-8690 red1691@netzero.net
Glen Baxter Director - KY 189 Tanyard Park Pl, Apt 144 Louisville, KY 40229 502/262-6738 glen.baxter@quala.us.com
Joe Rozmus Director – NC 116 Trappers Run Drive Cary, NC 27513 919/606-5692 justxsroz@aol.com
Hans Klar Director - SC 103 Country Walk Ln Clemson, SC 29631 608-354-5883 hwklar@gmail.com
Ricky Weaver Director – TN 85 Pleasant Ridge Rd Finger, TN 38334 731-608-7230 rweavertaa@yahoo.com
SOUTHERN
Billy Jacobs Director - MS 4107 Highway 51 NS Summit, MS 39666 601/248-4574 robinhood560@yahoo.com
Emite Rose Director - LA 8220 Calm St Shreveport, LA 71107 318/840-8170 Emiterose@msn.com
Josean Feliciano Director – Puerto Rico PO Box 6154 Aguadilla, PUR 00604 787/604-0702 Feliciano.josean@gmail.com
Bryn Chapman Director - OK 325 Opportunity Drive Norman, OK 73071 337/552-7671 okielandbowhunters@gmail. com
Jay Lindsey Director - TX 1696 Blevins Dr. Keller, TX 76248 817/229-8298 jwljr@yahoo.com
SOUTHWEST Caytie Belzner Director - AZ 1083 N. Boyd Apache Junction, AZ 85119 480/620-4644 caytiebelzner@gmail.com
Alan Eagleton Director - CA 2663 Wedgewood Court Turlock, CA 95382 650/464-5031 sakseagle@hotmail.com
Randy Brabec Director - CO PO Box 27 Loma, CO 81524 970/314-4971 rebowtune@gmail.com
Jason Fevella Director - HI 95-361 Ikaloa Street Mililani, HI 96789 808/864-4844 jasonfevella@gmail.com
Jay Boushee Director - NM 1508 Mossy Cup Dr. Farmington, NM 87401 505/801-1240 jay_boushee@msn.com
John Thayer Director - NV 7215 W Tara Ave Las Vegas, NV 89117 702/544-2370 Jfthayer49@gmail.com
Lucas Jolley Director – UT 11651 S Alexandria Dr South Jordan UT 84009 (801) 664-7004 ljolley85@gmail.com
Professional Representatives
Great Lakes Jeff Button 608/839-5137 jnbutton@aol.com
New England Crystal Gauvin 406-259-9801 gauvincj@gmail.com
Midwest Vacant
Mid-Atlantic
Kendall Woody 434-929-0223 bulldog267@comcast.net
Northwest Shawnn Vincent 360-929-5613 shawnnv@hotmail.com
Southern Jimmy Butts 518-986-1395 platinumbow@yahoo.com
Southeast George Ryals IV 678-901-9861 griv@archerylive.cm
Southwest Randy Brabec 970-314-4971 rebowtune@gmail.com
Pro Chairperson
Chance Beaubouef
215 Dogwood Hills Drive Mount Juliet, TN 37122 615/310/7034 Chanceb3582@yahoo.com
Committee Chairmen
Pro Chairperson Chance Beaubouef 215 Dogwood Hills Drive Mount Juliet, TN 37122 615/310/7034 Chanceb3582@yahoo.com
Certified Instructor Committee Vacant
Bowhunting Chairman
Tom Vollmer 800 Archery Lane Yankton, SD 57078-4174 605-260-9279 tnvollmer@vyn.midco.net
Archery MagazineEditorial Board
Bruce Cull Brian Sheffler
Michael Anderson Brittany Salonen
nfaa
Meet Your candidates for the NFAA
President Election
nfaa unveils an exciting update for the shooter of the year program
RESULTS from the 2024 fall indoor league & details on the upcoming winter league
get all the details on the tournament held alongside the nfaa indoor nationals
field archery championships
information on the 2025 north american field archery championships
nfaa collegiate
get more information on how to be involved inthe nfaa collegiate program And join today!
on the upcoming break the barriers event!
nfaa
Click each event to go directly to the event page.
january 3 - 5
February 13-14
february 14 - 16
march 5 - 9
april 12 - 13
may 2 - 4
July 18-20
September 18-20
September 19-21
Rushmore Rumble
NFAA Easton Yankton Archery Center Yankton, SD
The Great Chicago Open Navy Pier Chicago, IL
NFAA Indoor National Championships Navy Pier Chicago, IL
The Vegas Shoot Horseshoe and paris complex las vegas, nv
btb & nfaa 1-arrow national 3d championships private ranch fresno, ca
nfaa marked 3d national championships straight arrow bowhunters redding, ca
NFAA Outdoor National Field Championships Mechanicsburg Archers Mechanicsburg, PA
First Dakota Classic
NFAA Easton Yankton Archery Center Yankton, SD
NFAA Outdoor National Target Championships
NFAA Easton Yankton ARchery Center Yankton, SD
VICE PRESIDENT ELECTION MEET YOUR CANDIDATES
DOUG
JOYCE
Hello, this is Doug Joyce & I am running for my third term as Vice President of the NFAA. I have been an NFAA member for 34 years.
terms served as Vice President of the NFAA 3
I sit on the NFAA Foundation Board and am also a member of the Tournament Committee which oversees the Vegas Shoot, First Dakota Classic & the Rushmore Rumble.
years as a former State Director of New Jersey 12
I was NJ State Director for 12 years and was President of my local club for a combined total of 19 years. I was President of the NJ State Field Archery Association for 6 years and Lead Official for the ESPN Great Outdoor Games in 2005 & 2006.
I created & taught a Beginning Archery course for 22 years at Rutgers University. I am currently
years as a former President of the NJ State Field Archery Association 6
an NFAA National shoot official and have been for the past 18 years. I have attained a Level 3 teaching certificate & have been coaching archery for 23 years.
years combined President of his local archery club 19
Working with President Brian Sheffler, we made positive changes for the benefit of the NFAA, including establishing a program to certify our tournament officials & offering youth scholarships to student archers who won their event classes. This has increased participation among young people at NFAA events. One of my main goals is attracting more people into our sport.
I believe that young people are the future of archery. In order for the NFAA to continue growing
I believe we should consider more youth programs via local clubs & state organizations around the country.
If I am re-elected as your Vice President, I look forward to continuing to work with and for the NFAA to better the sport of archery for all.
Doug Joyce
years as an National Field Archery Association member
OLIVER AUSTIN
I purchased my life membership in NFAA with the proceeds from my first job when I was 18. I had already been a member for seven years (dependent member). I am also a life member of the Florida Archery Association.
Recently, I received my NFAA 50 year pin. I created one of the first State Archery websites and the first Sectional website, and have been a State Officer in the Florida Archery Association for over 30 years.
I was the Florida NFAA Director for 17 years making all sorts of agenda items to try and improve the sport. In 2022, I took over NFAA Southeast Councilman upon the death of my father, Tim Austin. I also inherited his other archery jobs and am currently Secretary/Treasurer of the Florida Archery Association.
I have only missed one National
National Senior Game events as the Director of Archery
Outdoor in the past 30 years. I enjoy the National Indoor and have attended many times winning my style and class a couple of times (yes, against competition).
I have attended the last 5 IFAA World Field shoots and have enjoyed traveling around the world shooting my bow. It was my honor to be US Team captain for the last three and finally learning enough to pick the first US team to win the World Team competition since the IFAA World was in the US (the home team has an advantage and usually wins - more archers to pick the team from).
I have also been Director of Archery for the National Senior Games for the last two events. When I go to a shoot, even when not in practice, I shoot my bow. I have built Field ranges, been a club president and run many
IFAA World Field shoots attended.
years as the NFAA Southeast Councilman 2 years as a State Officer in the Florida Archery Association
state and sectional shoots.
I have been awarded the NFAA Medal of Merit and am in the Florida Archery Association Hall of Fame and the NFAA Barebow Fraternity Hall of Fame.
I would appreciate your vote for NFAA Vice President. See you on the range.
Oliver
Austin years as a former State Director of Florida 17 years old when received NFAA membership. Life member since age 18.
NFAA Unveils Exciting Update for the Shooter of the Year
The NFAA Shooter of the Year (SOY) program recognizes top archers each year for their outstanding achievements. Consistent with the NFAA’s commitment to the development of youth archers, the NFAA will also be recognizing Junior archers with this award starting in 2025. To qualify for any SOY award, archers must compete in each of the following tournaments in 2025:
• NFAA Indoor Nationals in Chicago, IL (February 14-16)
• The Vegas Shoot in Las Vegas, NV (March 5-9)
• NFAA National Marked 3D in Redding, CA (May 2-4)
• NFAA National Field Championships in Mechanicsburg, PA (July 18-20)
• First Dakota Classic in Yankton, SD (Fall 2025)
Points are calculated by adding final scores from all five events plus the final X count for The Vegas Shoot, NFAA Indoor Nationals, and the First Dakota Classic. Each X counts as an additional point.
Professional SOY categories: Pro Male, Pro Female, Pro Senior Archers who have competed in a Professional division or have won $250 or more in an Adult Championship or Senior Championship division in the current year are considered Professional for SOY purposes.
Adult SOY categories: Adult Male, Adult Female Archers who have competed in the following divisions during the year are considered Adult for SOY purposes: Flights, Adult, Senior, Silver Senior, Master Senior.
Junior SOY categories: Junior Male, Junior Female Archers who have competed in the following divisions during the year are considered Junior for SOY purposes: Cub, Youth, Young Adult, Young Adult Championship.
Read more about the SOY program and the full program rules for 2025 by clicking here
The 2024 National Indoor Fall League ran for 10 weeks from September 1 to November 10, affording archers the chance to hone their skills during the Fall months in preparation for the Winter indoor season. Participants completed Vegas rounds for the first 5-week session and NFAA 300 rounds (blue/white face) for the second 5-week session. Their top 4 scores from each session were counted toward their National Indoor League final placement.
The flexibility of the National League makes it appealing to many archers as they can submit scores completed at their hometown range or any NFAA event. Even more? The National League offers a way for the NFAA to partner with eligible clubs and shops by providing lucrative host rebates. These rebates help clubs and shops offset their operational costs while fostering growth within the sport. Over 40 NFAA clubs and shops from around the country hosted the 2025 National Fall League to take advantage of these rebates.
All registrants were automatically entered to win prizes from the NFAA. Stephen Tansey and Karen Baca-Moya won FREE registration to an NFAA national or sectional event of their choice, while Sean Chan and Kendra Boehm won $50 NFAA gift cards.
Want to join the next edition? Starting January 12 and ending March 23, the National Indoor League is the perfect opportunity to stay engaged throughout the indoor season while competing on a national level. Get registered today!
The Great Chicago Open to Serve as Key Stop for Indoor World Series, Held Alongside NFAA Indoor Nationals
Mark your calendars for The Great Chicago Open on February 13-14, 2025, at Festival Hall, located in the heart of the historic Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. As the fifth stage of the 2025 Indoor World Series (IWS), this event marks the first time the IWS has made a stop in Chicago—and the first time the U.S. has hosted an IWS stage outside of Las Vegas! Prize money will be awarded to top finishers in all categories, with scholarships offered for U18 divisions (or anyone aged 14 and under).
Visit The Great Chicago Open event website for all the details on registration, tournament schedule, rules, hotel accommodations, and more.
COMPETE AT TWO PRESTIGIOUS EVENTS!
The Great Chicago Open will coincide with the 45th NFAA National Indoor Championships, giving archers the unique opportunity to compete in two major events over one exciting weekend! The annual NFAA Indoor Nationals feature NFAA members shooting 120 arrows at the iconic blue-and-white target face over two days of thrilling competition. Each division winner will receive the prestigious NFAA Silver Bowl— an exclusive honor awarded only to NFAA national champions, representing the pinnacle of excellence in archery! Read more about the NFAA Indoor National Championships.
Take some time Friday through Sunday to explore the NFAA Tradeshow, which showcases many of the world’s leading archery manufacturers. Check out the latest equipment, ask your questions, and connect with industry experts. It’s a great opportunity to see the newest innovations in archery!
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT THE GREAT CHICAGO OPEN?
Eligibility: To compete in The Great Chicago Open, participants must be members of USA Archery or another national federation recognized by World Archery.
Schedule: Official practice will take place on Thursday, with the 60-arrow qualifying round on Friday morning, followed by elimination matches in the afternoon. Check the complete tournament schedule for details on both The Great Chicago Open and the NFAA Indoor Nationals!
Centennial 600: This stand-alone 25-meter event sanctioned by World Archery provides archers with another chance to compete during the weekend. Held on Thursday evening, participants are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to prepare for the big weekend.
Transportation: Archers and guests may purchase shuttle access to and from the airport and designated hotel locations. Stay tuned for more information on this convenient service.
Hotel Accommodations: Book your hotel through the NFAA room block and enter for a chance to win one of two $50 Visa gift cards!
WHAT IS THE INDOOR WORLD SERIES (IWS)?
The IWS is a series of open-entry tournaments held during the winter, allowing amateur archers to compete alongside professionals. Elite ranking points are awarded based on final placements in the Senior Compound and Senior Recurve categories, with top archers qualifying for the IWS Finals on Sunday at The Vegas Shoot. The 2024-25 IWS season began in November 2024 and concludes in March 2025 after events in Switzerland, Luxembourg, Chinese Taipei, France, and the United States. For more details, read about the 2025 Indoor World Series Rules and Regulations. Elite ranking points will be awarded at The Great Chicago Open based on final placements for participants in the Senior Compound and Senior Recurve divisions.
SEE YOU THERE!
Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to showcase your skills and compete with top talent.
• Compete in The Great Chicago Open for IWS elite ranking points and prize money.
• Join the fun at the Centennial 600 on Thursday evening, a 25-Meter event sanctioned by World Archery.
• Participate in the Indoor Nationals for a chance to win the coveted NFAA Silver Bowl.
• Explore the NFAA Tradeshow to discover equipment and services from top archery manufacturers.
We look forward to welcoming you to Chicago for a weekend of archery excitement!
Mark Your Calendars for the 2025 North American Field Archery Championships
The 2025 North American Field Archery Championships will take place at Lee County Archers in North Fort Myers, Florida, on December 13-14, 2025. The event will feature 28 Field and 14 Animal targets on Saturday, followed by 28 Hunter targets on Sunday. Consider arriving the Saturday before to participate in the Florida Senior Games, held annually on the first Saturday in December. The Florida Senior Games is open to out-of-state participants, so you can join in the fun!
You can even take some time to explore Florida’s attractions— Disney World, Universal Studios, deep-sea fishing, Key West, and even a cruise are all within reach. Keep in mind that Fort Myers is in its snowbird season during this time, so motel rates tend to be higher. However, discounted rates will be available—check our website for more details in the future. And don’t worry, we promise there won’t be any snow! We hope to see you there.
Learn the essentials of teaching the program and access valuable resources through our self-paced online course.
Students enjoy 23 activities designed to provide a solid foundation for the aspiring bowhunter.
Though developed for ages 8-17, the activities provide a great learning opportunity for students of any age to become familiar with bowhunting.
Students can earn awards to showcase their achievements by completing various sections of the program.
SECTIONAL & NATIONAL EVENTS
INDOOR MARKED & UNMARKED 3D FIELD TARGET
SCHOLARSHIPS
ACADEMIC & TRAVEL TEAM & INDIVIDUAL
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
NFAA MEMBERSHIP
MINIMUM GPA
FULL-TIME STUDENT
The all-new NFAA Collegiate Archery program offers special membership rates for college students, making it easier than ever to join our growing community! Eligible members can participate in both individual and team events around the country. With numerous awards and archery programs available, there's never been a better time to shoot your bow during your collegiate years!
ANNOUNCING THE ALL-NEW INDOOR NATIONAL
The NFAA is thrilled to announce the opening of registration for the 2025 NFAA Indoor Sectionals, now featuring the highly anticipated Indoor National Series! This exciting addition means archers can shoot once and compete for two titles: their Sectional Championship and the brand-new Indoor National Series Champion title.
When you sign up and compete in your Sectional event, your two-day results will automatically count toward the Indoor National Series national ranking. There’s no extra registration or additional competition required – just compete at your local Sectionals, and we’ll do the rest! Your results will determine your placement not only in your Section but also on a national scale.
SHOOT ONCE, WIN TWICE!
Each Sectional event will follow the same round format: two NFAA blue/white 300 rounds, totaling 120 arrows. Your combined score will be used for Sectional placement and contribute to your national ranking for the Indoor National Series.
Awards and recognition:
• Archers will compete for their Sectional awards, freshly designed in 2024.
• Champions, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in the National Series will receive a special, newly branded Indoor National Series medal – a must-have addition to any trophy case!
SERIES: COMPETE LOCALLY, RANK NATIONALLY
FIND A HOST LOCATION AND BOOK YOUR STAY
Archers can visit the Registration Page on the event website for the most up-to-date list of Sectional host locations, with more sites and dates to be announced as they are approved.
To make travel easy, the NFAA has partnered with Lucid Travel to provide discounted hotel accommodations for all participants. Curated listings for each location can be found directly on the event website.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN: DON’T FORGET OUR NEW COLLEGIATE DIVISIONS!
NFAA membership is required to participate, and all NFAA divisions will be offered. Registration is online through Sport:80, and onsite registration may not be available. To be eligible for Sectional awards, archers must hold an NFAA state membership within the section in which they compete. Not sure which section your state belongs to? Check out our section and state landing pages on the website.
New for 2025, collegiate divisions are now available at all Sectional events and the Indoor National Series! Collegiate archers can compete alongside their peers for sectional awards and earn national series rankings in this exciting new category.
Don’t miss your chance to compete for two titles at one event – your Sectional Championship and the inaugural Indoor National Series Championship. See how you stack up against archers from around the country and make history by earning one of the very first Indoor National Series medals! Sign up, shoot once, and let your score shine both locally and nationally.
EDITED BY NFAA HEADQUARTERS
Central Florida Archers 2/1/20252/2/2025 5990 Hwy 17 South Ft Meade, FL 33841 Heath Baulac (863) 370-2303 heathbaulac@gmail.com
2/1/20252/2/2025 1451 Rector Rd, Scotia, NY, 12303 Jonathan Scott (518) 817-0356 nyarcher12010@gmail.com
2/1/20252/2/2025 3641 Green Springs Rd. Winchester, VA 22603 Bob Phillipps (304) 268-9870 lousybowhunter66@yahoo.com
Southwest Section
ARIZONA | CALIFORNIA COLORADO | HAWAII
NEW MEXICO | NEVADA UTAH
Gary McCain, Councilman gary@bgmach.com
2025 SOUTHWEST INDOOR SECTIONAL HOST INFORMATION
Host Start - End Address City, State, Zip
Break the Barriers
1/31/20252/2/2025 8555 N. Cedar Ave Fresno, CA 93711 Mike Hernandez (559) 908-6685 2ts@comcast.net
High Dessert Archery 2/22/20252/23/2025 940 Matley Lane, Suite 5 Reno, NV 89502 Lynnette Siedemann (775) 432-4041 HDArchery@mail.com
High Dessert Archery 1/12/20251/13/2025 940 Matley Lane, Suite 5 Reno, NV 89502 Lynnette Siedemann (775) 432-4041 HDArchery@mail.com
Timber Mesa Outdoors LLC 2/5/20252/6/2025 1190 E Huning Show Low, AZ, 85901 Deanna Cronin (928) 242-2038 dcronin@timbermesaoutdoors.com
Wolf Pack Archery, LLC 1/17/20251/19/2025 1320 E Hwy 40 Vernal, UT, 84078 Mindy Mair (435) 650-5614 Mindydmair@gmail.com
Archery Only 2/2/20252/2/2025 37300 Cedar Blvd. Suite D Newark, CA, 94560 Roger Brown (510) 795-0460 roger@archeryonly.com
Archery Only
2/16/20252/16/2025 37300 Cedar Blvd. Suite D Newark, CA, 94560 Roger Brown (510) 795-0460 roger@archeryonly.com
Aces and Arrows Archery 2/16/20252/16/2025 980 American Pacific Dr. #107 Henderson, NV, 89014 McKenna Cooley (702) 682-6007 mckennacooley1@gmail.com
Rim Country Bowhunters Association 2/22/20252/22/2025 800 E. Cherry St. Cottonwood, AZ, 86326 Charlie Kester (928) 254-9693 az-charlie@hotmail.com
Leave Your Mark Archery 1/11/20251/12/2025 4245 S Vernal Ave Vernal, UT, 84078 Bart Winterton (435) 790-3030 leaveyourmarkarchery@gmail.com
Santa Cruz Archers 1/25/20251/26/2025 141 Brookwood Drive Santa Cruz, CA, 95065 Gabrielle L Garrett (831) 588-0628 go2garrett2@gmail.com
Santa Cruz Archers 2/1/20252/2/2025 141 Brookwood Drive Santa Cruz, CA, 95065 Gabrielle L Garrett (831) 588-0628 go2garrett2@gmail.com
South Bay Archery Lessons 1/18/20251/19/2025 1300 Kingsdale Avenue Redondo Beach, CA, 90278 Paul Farbman (310) 404-3665 southbayarcher@gmail.com
Desert Sky Archers 1/18/20251/19/2025 4044 W Black Canyon Blvd Phoenix, AZ, 85086 Richard Bachman (602) 295-1639 desertskyarchers@gmail.com
Hit or Miss Archery Center 1/12/20251/12/2025 2801 Broadbent Pkwy. NE Suite D Albuquerque, NM, 87107 Jenifer Jameson (505) 200-9650 hitormissarcheryevents@gmail.com
2/8/20252/9/2025 800 Archery Lane Yankton, SD, 57078
Michael Anderson (605) 260-9279 x1007 manderson@nfaausa.com
2/7/20252/9/2025 3985 Wickiup Hill Rd Toddville, IA, 52341 Don Parker (319) 431-0979 don.parker@mchsi.com
STEP 1: DOWNLOAD THE IANSEO SCOREKEEPER NG APP
Search for “IANSEO ScoreKeeper NG” in Google Play (Android) or Apple AppStore (iPhone or iPad). This is the only step that can be done prior to arriving to your shooting location. NG stands for “Next Generation”, so if you have the old app on your phone, please be sure to delete it as it will no longer be used.
Scorekeeper NG Scorekeeper
CLICK OR SCAN THE QR CODE TO DOWNLOAD from apple store or google play
STEP 2: SCAN THE UNIQUE QR CODE ON YOUR SCORECARD
(internet is required for this step!)
Once at the tournament, you will be provided with a paper scorecard.
Open the Scorekeeper NG app; Tap “Setup app using a QR code”; Point your phone’s camera at the QR code on your scorecard; A grey screen will pull up. Please pay attention to the distance (Distance 1: Day/Round 1, Distance 2: Day/Round 2); Check that the information matches the scorecard and displays the correct day/round; Tap “Save”.
L E A R N M O R E !
1
2
3
4
5
Be an NFAA or USA Archery validated member.
Shoot your score at an NFAA sanctioned event or NFAA League.
Purchase your keychain from the NFAA Store and customize it with scores and divisions!
Submit your scorecard for validation via the linked online form.
Receive your keychain in the mail and show it off with PRIDE!
B E C O M E A N B E C O M E A N N F A A N F A A
J U D G E J U D G E T O D A Y T O D A Y
G e t R e a d y f o r
G e t R e a d y f o r I n d o o r S e a s o n ! I n d o o r S e a s o n !
N F A A m e m b e r s c a n c o m p l e t e o n l i n e c o u r s e s t o b e c o m e
C e r t i f i e d & N a t i o n a l J u d g e s . C o u r s e s e d u c a t e m e m b e r s o n
r u l e s a n d p r o c e d u r e s i n v o l v e d w i t h j u d g i n g a n d t e a c h t h e
f u n d a m e n t a l s o f N F A A r o u n d f o r m a t s a n d r a n g e s e t u p s .
N F A A C e r t i f i e d J u d g e
O f f i c i a t e a t N F A A l o c a l , s t a t e , a n d
s e c t i o n a l e v e n t s .
N F A A N a t i o n a l J u d g e
O f f i c i a t e a t N F A A a n d N F A A F o u n d a t i o n
n a t i o n a l e v e n t s .
C L I C K T O L E A R N M O R E !
PREVENT BUCK FEVER
By Terry Wunderle
inflicted as your focus became misdirected. To remedy the problem, you needed to change your point of concentration.
retrieve it. By learning the importance of one shot on the practice range, you will be ready to apply it when hunting.
In the early days of our marriage, my wife Jeanne and I would get up before sunrise and hunt a variety of wild game. Then the children came along and she took a break from being my partner in the woods. As her retirement neared, she again picked up the shotgun and also learned to use a crossbow. I had hopes of teaching her how to field dress and drag my deer out of the timber, but that part was unsuccessful. One evening we were hunting from a buddy stand overlooking a path where hours before a large buck had been chasing a doe. Eventually a doe emerged with an eightpointer following close behind. When the buck moved into an opening at 20 yards, I gave a mouth bleat to stop it. At that instant the arrow from Jeanne’s crossbow passed through his lungs in the perfect spot.
Moments later I asked, “Were you nervous?”
“No,” she responded. “You had the bow exactly sighted in and all I had to do was squeeze the trigger.”
With this type of attitude, there was no room for the anxiety of buck fever to be present. Many hunters, however, experience the symptoms of this condition because their thinking becomes misdirected when they encounter a trophy animal. Think of the times you may have made avoidable mistakes you don’t normally experience. Perhaps you couldn’t keep the arrow on the rest, made unwanted noise, found your bow arm was shaking, or even forgot to pick a spot to aim. You were in the grips of buck fever because you were distracted by the anticipation of the shot. This condition was self-
When a shot opportunity presents itself and the hunter allows the thinking process to be completely altered from what it is during practice, the situation can quickly go south. Thoughts such as, “I have got to get this big buck,” “I hope I don’t miss,” or “I have to hurry and shoot before he leaves,” are all ideas contrary to the mental pattern you have instilled in your mind during practice. If an archer programs the thinking only towards perfect shot execution in practice and while shooting a deer, there will be no room for detrimental thoughts to appear. When a deer is in your sights, you main goal is to select a spot to aim and then execute a shot with good form.
If you experience a case of buck fever, what steps can you take to overcome the difficulty? Because the condition is a mental problem, the remedy for this chronic ailment is to reprogram your thinking. Talk to yourself and follow a simple step-by-step shot sequence. Most archers shoot with their mind running on autopilot. The problem with this is they end up in the “Bermuda Triangle.” Instead, shoot from the conscious mind and formulate a simple shot sequence to follow. My personal sequence is simple: pin on the target; pull the bow apart; and drive it in. I use the same format, whether on the practice range or when harvesting a deer. By keeping your mind immersed in the perfect shot execution, misdirected thinking cannot appear and erode the consistent form that you have established.
Practice is one of the best preventative medicines for this recurring affliction of buck fever. With it you will gain confidence in your ability to use effective form. Talk yourself through every shot. Make sure you produce every shot in the very same manner. Over-aiming is usually the biggest pitfall to becoming an accurate shooter. Let the pin float on or around the mark and then execute good form.
Each time you rehearse, pretend the first arrow is at a prized buck. Since you don’t have warmup shots in the woods, practice by shooting one arrow and then walking to the target to
Nearly all hunters get nervous and that is not a problem. However, if your anxiousness turns into muscle tension, that’s a problem. When you start seeing the signs of anxiety, shift your focus to what you can control, which is performing a shot with proper form. After a little practice, how difficult would it be to shoot one shot with the very same form you normally use? The answer is, “Pretty darn easy.” On the practice range you can keep every arrow in a softball-size target. If you have the same shot at a deer, you need to keep it in a volleyball-size target. That makes the shot very simple. Just shoot the same form you use in practice and then call a friend to help drag your deer.
When I shoot a deer, I have a lot of confidence. This self-assurance isn’t in capturing the deer; instead it is in my ability to perform a shot with perfect form. Place your trust in what you can control and that is flawless shot execution. Keeping your mind focused on the task at hand will prevent the dreaded condition of buck fever from being a part of your hunt.
Photo of Jeanne Wunderle following her successful hunt
