Historically, archery has been the domain of warriors and hunters. But even if you have no inclination toward warfare or slaughtering your own dinner, the challenging sport has health and psychological benefits. It can increase your confidence and improve your hand-eye coordination and upper-body strength. And talk about focus! Archers must be able to stand strong and steady while anticipating how wind, sun, rain, and other conditions will influence their arrows. People of all ages (though experts recommend children be at least eight years old) can enjoy the sport. Whether you’re an accomplished or aspiring archer, here are some archery ranges around the United States and Canada where you can let your arrows fly.
Preserve Sporting Club and Residences, Rhode Island
The Preserve Sporting Club and Residences features an archery “hunt” through woods and sorghum fields. Your guides will set up life-size archery targets such as beavers, bears, and rabbits. The under-10 set can participate in Nerf archery.
Mohonk Mountain House, New York
Guests at Mohonk Mountain House, a National Historic Landmark resort in New York’s Hudson Valley, work with skilled archery instructors. The archery course is open to guests 13 and up. Beginners welcome.
Windy Hill Farm and Preserve, Tennessee
Windy Hill Farm and Preserve in Loudon, Tennessee is a boutique luxury resort on over 500 acres. When you’re not practicing on the archery range, you can kayak, paddleboard, meditate, and participate in wine hikes.
French Lick Resort, Indiana
History and luxury will complement your bow and arrow at southern Indiana’s French Lick Resort. The resort combines both the French Lick Springs Hotel, established in 1845, and the West Baden Springs Hotel, with its enormous century-plus-year-old atrium. The archery range is open year round, weather permitting, to test your skill with 10 lifelike, three-dimensional animal targets.
Camp Lucy, Texas
About half an hour west of Austin, Camp Lucy is a Texas wine country resort known for amenities like stone bathtubs and beautiful antiques. Guests can learn archery (or hatchet throwing!) basics, then enjoy yoga, wildlife watching, or drinks at the swim-up bar. A bow and arrows resting on a tree stump with targets in the background.
Alisal Ranch, California
Alisal Ranch, north of Santa Barbara, offers outdoors lovers 10,500 acres of fun. Instructors help guests 8 and up improve their bow handling while shooting at hay bales, animal and bird figures, and targets. Other favorite Alisal activities include kayaking, stargazing, and telling stories around a firepit.
Brasada Ranch, Oregon
Certified archery instructors guide guests on a range at nearby Spirit Rock, which has panoramic views of the Cascade Range. When you’re not honing your bow and arrow skills, you can ride horses, play golf or pickleball, or relax poolside at this central Oregon resort.
Revolution Adventures, Florida
Revolution Adventures in Lake County, Florida, offers target archery for ages 8 and up. Practice with Level 2 and 3 certified archery coaches, then have even more fun playing archery tag. It’s kind of like dodgeball, but with foam-tipped arrows.
Painted Warriors Ranch, Alberta
The Indigenous owners and operators of Painted Warriors Ranch were on Team Canada’s competitive archery team, so you know you’ll get top instruction here. You can also ride horses, glamp, and learn wilderness survival, among many other year-round outdoor experiences. A person standing in the snow and pointing a bow and arrow.
Streamsong Resort, Florida
Streamsong is best known for golf, but it also has an excellent archery range. Amid wild Florida terrain, certified guides will fit you with an advanced recurve bow and share their tips.
Southwest Bowhunters, Arizona
Southwest Bowhunters is an archery club that’s open to archers of all ages, shooting styles, and abilities. You’ll shoot at hay bales and 3D targets. Club members love practicing their skills on three trail ranges, where targets are spread out through canyons and along river trails.
Ben Avery Shooting Facility, Arizona
Phoenix’s Ben Avery Shooting Facility includes lots for archers, with four ranges and five walking courses. This is a must-visit place for archery enthusiasts, with a long-distance range, family education range, and many other opportunities to hone your skills.
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Original Title:
12 archery ranges where you can let your arrows fly
Source: Outdoors Wire – USA Today
