archery

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The world’s greatest expedition shooter, Byron Ferguson of Hartselle, Alabama, shoots two separate arrows at two different targets as spectators look on during the grand opening of the new 3-D archery range here, Aug. 15. Ferguson came to Minot to open the 3-D archery range hosted by outdoor recreation, talk about archery safety, and to demonstrate some of his trick shots with his long bow. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Keith Ballard)

archery

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The world’s greatest expedition shooter, Byron Ferguson of Hartselle, Alabama, showcases his skills with an archery demonstration during the grand opening of the new 3-D archery range here, Aug. 15. Ferguson came to Minot to open the 3-D archery range hosted by outdoor recreation, talk about archery safety, and to demonstrate some of his trick shots with his long bow. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jesse Lopez)

archery

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The world’s greatest expedition shooter, Byron Ferguson of Hartselle, Alabama, and Col. Joel Westa, 5th Bomb Wing commander, cut the ceremonial ribbon marking the grand opening of the new 3-D archery range here, Aug. 15. Ferguson came to Minot to open the 3-D archery range hosted by outdoor recreation, talk about archery safety, and to demonstrate some of his trick shots with his long bow. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jesse Lopez)

Outdoor archery range grand opening scores bullseye

Published Aug. 18, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Keith Ballard
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Scores of people attended the grand opening of the Outdoor Recreation office's new outdoor archery range Aug. 15.

"I see today's event as an amazing success," said Rachel Filkins, 5th Force Support Squadron Outdoor Recreation manager. "It was more than I had expected. I don't think it could have gone any better and I think it was a great day to have this event. I think everyone enjoyed themselves."

The day began with some opening remarks by Col. Joel Westa, 5th Bomb Wing commander, welcoming Mr. Byron Ferguson, the world's greatest exhibition shooter, and thanking all who participated in the set up making the event a success.

Mr. Ferguson then discussed some differences between the long bows he was shooting and the compound bows shot by many hunters today. He then wowed the crowd with a combination of trick shots and humor designed to inform the crowd as well as entertain.

When asked about his first trip to Minot, Mr. Ferguson said, "I love it. These are great people. Everybody's been real friendly and we have had a great time and the hospitality is outstanding."

Mr. Ferguson is a native of Hartselle, Alabama, and has been involved in archery for the last 45 years.

"What got me started in archery was when I realized I could go hunt whitetail deer a month early," says Mr. Ferguson, "So I decided I was going to shoot the bow."

The archery tournament was a close race all day, but in the end Kathy Girke of Minot, N.D., won the women's division and John Dickman of Minot ,N.D., won the men's division. Girke won a Matthews hat and t-shirt and Dickman won a Matthews hat and cable slide.

The other events were an 83-yard shot as well as a raffle drawing with the prize for both events being a new Bowtech bow. Both events were won by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Jeffreys, a pavement and grounds journeyman with the 5th Civil Engineering Squadron. Sergeant Jeffreys drew a name out of a hat to give away one of the bows and that bow went to Brandon Tolleffson of Minot, N.D.

With the success of outdoor archery range grand opening, Filkins would like everyone to remember that, "People do need to become a member to utilize the range. It is $25 a year or $35 for families and they will then be given 24 hour access after that."

For more information about this and other services offered by the Outdoor Recreation office, please call 723-3648.