idahoelkinstructor

To say I am a proud papa is a understatement. Yesterday a new archery club hada 3-D shoot in the foothills (Text Creek Wildlife Management Area) near our home here in Idaho Falls. My 5 year old son has been wanting to go so I took him along with two friends. This past year my son has been shooting his bow a lot both in the shop and at home in the back yard. He shoots a Stacy Tom Thumb bow, 10 to 20 pounds, at 10 yards he can hit a 1.5'x1.5' square most of the time. Yesterday out of 35 3-D targets, he shot at 34 and of thosetargets he only missed 8 animals compleatly, about half the hits were in the vitals. The course was not easy to hike either, it was a bit over 2 miles and had a lot of up and down hiking with steep angled shots.One bighornsheep target was almost a strait up 50 yards shot sitting onthe edge of a smallcliff. To get to the target you had to hike 200 yards in a half circle to get up and around the cliff. That was the only target I didn't let my son shoot at becaue there was no way of getting closer.AlsoImade him stay back when pulling arrows becasue I didn't wantto risk him falling off the small cliff.Many of archers either broke or lost their arrows on that target lol. Overall thecourse was a lot of fun and set up very well, they picked some challenging terrian to simulate what a big game bowhunter in Idaho has to face during the hunting season. At 5 years old I was notsure if my son was up to the task of hiking it but he proved himself worthy and was able keep up for the most part. I did carry him through some thick vegitation that had some stinging nettle in it. But other than that he did good in both hiking and shooting. I'll say again Iam a very proud daddy and I look foward to going to many of 3-D shoots with him in the furture. I only wish now I had packed a camera so I had picks of his face when he was pulling arrows out of targets, it was a smile a mile wide. I should add his favorte targetswere a wolverine and aantelope and he has asked to go back and shootthem again many of times last night and today. Of course my favorite were the 4 different elk they had. I just wish I had arinehart elk target myself but dang are theybig and expensive.This new club has targets from Rinehart, DELTA, Mckenzie, and looks to be off to a good start. They will leave out someburlap stuffed bag targets around the coursethrough the summerfor the public toshoot free of charge.They are still shooting today, but being sunday we will not shoot. In addition to a few other 3-D shoots from local clubs the Rinehart shoot is comming again this year to are area june 9th and 10th so we are going for sure, and our state shoot in Stanly Idaho is fun as well. Anyway yes I am excited becaue I now have a lifelong 3-D and hunting partner. Next time I will take pics and post them.

IL-Cornfed

Glad to hear your son is having a great time and learning to become a good shot. Keep up the good work! Best of luck to both of ya

Dubbya

Well done and congrats on the new hunting buddy! That's very cool, and something that he'll probably never forget as well. I wish we had some cool courses down here, the ones I shot in Wyoming the past couple years have been great.

Colorado Luckydog

Thats about as cool as it gets. Looking forward to the pictures next time!

TJF

Sounds like a great day for you and your son. Congrats to him on his shooting and hiking. 2 miles in rough country is impressive with him only being 5.

Tim

mfhunter27

That is very exciting to hear!! Great job and both of you keep up the good work! Getting kids involved is great for everyone!!

TROPHYHUNTER25

awsome

shed33

Right on.. cool stuff Idaho..These mountains make these kids tough! No way around it..

manuman

I have a 6 year old who will --when his mom lets me--start with me as well. He went to the woods for the first time last season and we got to see 5 does--and guess who heard them coming first? He ats still and never did make a sound!
Happy for ya!!!!

bloodcrick

pat the young man on the back, sounds like he deserves it!