22nd Annual Barber Bearpaw Bowmen 3D Archery Shoot a Huge Success

 

June 23, 2021

This group includes all the Bearpaw Bowshoot 12 and under archers that participated in this years event. Every entry receives a mishmash of prizes including hats, toys, candy and goodies donated by the wonderful sponsors of the shoot.

After a long difficult year it was great to see all the campers lining up in the field at the Barber Ranch for the 22nd Annual Barber Ranch Archery Shoot.

Located in the Hungry Hollow near Lloyd Montana, Frank and Bettie Barber have been spectacular hosts for the two day event for more than two decades. The Bear Paw Bowmen Archery Club has worked hand in hand with the Barbers in building the Archery Shoot into one of the premiere events around.

It's hard to imagine a better way to spend Father's day weekend for the outdoor archery enthusiast than spending it in the Bear Paw Mountains on Hungry Hollow Road near Lloyd, Montana.

Hundreds of archers and their families from all over the United States and parts of Canada, from the novice to the very experienced gather together beginning the first part of the week and stay until the following Monday or even Tuesday. It's quite a challenge to put on such a spectacular event but the Barbers and the Bearpaw Bowmen get it done.

The 'Not to Serious' competition includes several events such as: Freestyle, Unlimited, Limited, Barebow, Recurve, Long Bow and AC/DC. The AC/DC shoot compound one day at two courses and shoot traditional the other two courses with no broad-heads or rangefinders for a total of four courses that include some rough terrain.

This years event also featured a live and silent auction as well as plenty of raffles and door prizes. Saturday included the Vicky Thomas Memorial Cub/Chick Challenge which was followed by the Water Shoot.

This bowshoot includes four courses of 3D targets with as many 20 foam animals setup on each. Targets have generally included deer, elk and antelope as well as some you may not expect to see like Sasquatch, dinosaurs, chameleons and more. Local favorite events are the fun shoots, which come on Saturday evening before supper, kids' shoot for prizes, water-bag shoots for everyone, and the long-distance arrow event.

All this good fun goes to support a good cause. This shoot helps support the Frank and Bettie Barber Scholarship fund at Montana State University-Northern in Havre.

After such a crazy year, seeing all the RV's and campers start pulling in midweek, "It was like Christmas in June, it was a real joy to see everyone coming back. COVID uprooted so many lives but to see some normal returning was uplifting. We certainly missed our Canadian friends but hopefully we can reconnect with them soon," said Bettie.

It's a big deal to so many groups locally, "We have a group of 4-H kids that come and help with concessions. There are a number of Archery Vendors that come from all over the state to take part in the activities and all the visitors spend money in the community. They by gas, food, ice whatever they need because we are not a full service campground and people pack in what they need," stated Bettie. "It's actually just a cow pasture but it more than does the job."

There is always so much going on that you just try to take in as much as you can and there is never a shortage of something to take in, "I think probably the biggest highlight for Frank and I is walking up and down the line of campers and visiting with all the people. Hearing their stories of being here for so many years, how may generations they have in their campsite and just how much it means to them. They are constantly thanking us, but we tell them all the time it's us that really need to thank them because their is no other place we would rather be this weekend and we look forward to it the entire year.

Long time attendee Sonny Boucher passed away this past year. Sonny was an avid supporter of the bow shoot and the family decided to start a Memorial Archery set to be raffled off in his memory.

As far as getting the event put together, its very fluid, "The Bowmen are fantastic. Brandy (Kurtz) starts organizing in January, they inform us of when they are coming to do this and that and we pretty much just give them free range. They do it all and they are extremely respectful of our land and just do a great job.

In all 290 shooters made up the various categories and age groups. Prizes were handed and awards were given for each but whether you won or lost it really didn't matter because remember it's a 'Not so Serious' competition.

The Vicky Thomas Memorial Card Shoot was a huge success. It focused primarily on getting the younger kids involved in the shoot and everyone received something for their participation.

It was a spectacular two day event that lasted all week! Frank, Bettie and all the visitors look forward to the 23 Annual Bear-paw Bowmen Archery Shoot in 2022 and hopefully our Canadian friends will be there.

 
 

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024

Rendered 03/27/2024 12:57