Getting Kids Started in Archery
By: Jenna Heil
Whale-Tales Archery prostaff
"Shoot your way to bullseyes!"
Archery is becoming a very popular sport. From Hunger Games to Brave, archery has become a well-known sport for kids. Many kids want to pick up a bow and arrow and get started. Your local archery shops will always be able to help you. My suggestion is to rent a bow first and get started shooting.
Once you feel comfortable you can then decide to choose one that fits right for you. I would try out a couple of different brands and types of bows and see which one you like the best; that is most important. The setup has to feel right for you and the way you shoot.
After you decide on which bow shoots the best, you need to find out what accessories you need for your bow. I would start with a basic set-up for now. You will need a basic sight, a rest, arrows, and release. Most local archery shops will have a package price for a whole set up. After you have been shooting a while, you can always upgrade your set-up. Now from here it’s all up to you to shoot and practice to get good at archery.
It all starts with your form. Being constant will improve your scores and keep you shooting more. Remember it’s all about having fun!
I recently was at Whale-Tales Archery, in Dousman and met a 10-year old girl who was shooting for the first time. Her name was Kat Vermilyea from Mukwonago Wisconsin. She had tried a few different bows and decided on a Hoyt Ruckus. We got her all set up, and by the end of her first day, she was shooting bullseyes! I asked what got her interested in shooting archery, and she said “The Hunger Games got me into archery. Also my brother shoots archery in Arizona.”
 |
 |
| Jenna Heil and Kat Vermilyer with Kat’s new Pink Hoyt Ruckus. | Kat Vermilyer of Mukwonago shoots for the first time. |
Her other interests include dance and drawing. She did not ever dream of shooting a bow in her life. But now that she has, she realized how fun it is. What she liked best about shooting was “it’s not too hard and not too easy but it boosts your confidence.” It’s exciting when you get your first bullseye because it’s something you’ve done on your own, not like a team sport like basketball.
A great way to get started is to join a kid’s league and go out and shoot whenever you can. The more you practice the better you get, it’s not going to happen overnight. Be prepared to spend many hours practicing and being consistent. You need to concentrate on your form. Now get out to your local archery shop or club and “shoot your way to bullseyes!”