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Sport of archery takes flight

The popularity of The Hunger Games series has renewed interest in the sport of archery, especially among girls.
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Ali Kraayenbrink, 15, takes aim at the Lambton Sportsmen’s Club archery range. Glenn Ogilvie

The popularity of The Hunger Games series has renewed interest in the sport of archery, especially among girls.

But it wasn’t heroine Katniss Everdeen and her big screen prowess with a bow that drew 15-year-old Ali Kraayenbrink to the range - it was competition.

“Actually, I thought the movies were kind of cheesy,” she said, before letting an arrow fly at the Lambton Sportsmen’s Club.

Children as young as four are learning to shoot at the club’s archery range on Bickford Line, which is better known for its rifles, handguns and trap shooting.

Now in its third year, the archery section has grown to about 25 core members and is close to launching its own youth program.

One attraction of the sport is the fact no licence or protective equipment is required. And it’s cheap compared to many recreational activities.

A newcomer can pick up a used bow for less than $100, said secretary Caron Ball.

“But asking the price of a bow is like asking the price of a motorcycle. It depends on the motorcycle.”

Archery committee secretary Elsie Metcalfe said the club’s latest addition is 3-D archery shoots involving animal-shaped targets set up at stations in the woods.

“It’s to help get kids of the street and into outdoor sports,” she said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Archery

WHERE: Lambton Sportsman’s Club, 521 Bickford Line, (corner of Hwy 40 and Bickford)

WHEN: Tuesday evenings, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. until Sept. 30

COST: $5 per supervising adult, children free.

OTHER: 3-D archery shoots held Aug. 16 and Sept. 20. $10 for non-members, 15 and under free with paid adult.

FOR MORE: Call Elsie at 519-867-3940, or visit www.lambtonsportsman.com

- Journal Staff


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