State 4H Archery Championship

Saturday was the my son's first state competition. He didn't shoot as well as some of the other kids in our group, but did OK. If nothing else, it was a good learning experience for him.

As a group, our juniors took second place in the junior class and our seniors took first place in the senior class. Also, one of the seniors had a robin hood from 40 meters. Over all a good day. Proud of our kids.

Also, I want to give props to the Cullman County group for hosting, the Heritage Archery Club for use of their range, Cullman Golf Course for holding the event on their driving range, and Cullman Fire and Rescue for sitting out there all day making sure every one was safe.

Love to see those kids shooting bows!

I think there were about 150 kids from lots of counties. Even as far away as Baldwin County.

This is the seniors shooting a round. There we 18 targets with 2 kids per target. It sounded like pop corn when all those arrows were hitting the targets at once.

This is my 10 yr old son waiting while they were staging everyone. He was the only kid out there wearing a 6 inch belt knife. He insists on wearing it everywhere we go. I have to make him leave it in the car when we go to church. He would have a concealed carry permit and a pistol if he was old enough. He says, "You just never know when something might happen". It makes sense, but sounds funny coming from a kid.

I also want the thank Bucket of Bows Archery in Ft Payne for letting us use his indoor range when the weather is too bad outside. He has also been doing tuning and repairs free for the kids. Bucket and his guys are good people. If any of you are up that way, go see him.

Looks like fun. I took my boy to his first 3d shoot this weekend. Had a blast and I think he's hooked now.

Love seeing the kids shoot also. My son started out when he was 6 years old. He used to travel and shoot the ASA Pro/Am Tour circuit with me. He wound up placing 2nd twice and 3rd once when he was 7 years old. He won an ASA Southern Regional Championship in 2003. I believe it was in 2005 that me and him both won BHA State Championships. He was one of the youngest to ever qualify for the Buckmasters World Championship in 2009 when he was 15. The joker placed higher than I did that year. He's 20 years old now working and going to college. He doesn't have time for it anymore.

Here he is when he was 11:



And here he is with a bow kill when he was 17:

Looks like we all got some thing to be proud of. My boy ain't winning first place or anything, but he did get 257 points out of 360 possible. Not too bad for a kid who has only been doing this for a few months. We'll get there eventually.

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