What a release!

By CHANSE WATSON

Managing Editor

KELLOGG — North Idaho is well-known for its abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. The vast wilderness of the area provides a perfect environment for residents and visitors to enjoy their favorite pastime.

For a group of enthusiasts here in the Silver Valley, their favorite passtime in particular is archery.

Based in Kellogg, the Bitterroot Archers archery club has been around since the 1980’s and is once again set to host their annual Spring 3D shoot.

The shoot will be a two-day event on March 23-24 in Cataldo and will feature 40 3-D targets with marked yardage (similar to previous years). Targets will include a variety of big game animals including deer, elk, lions and even dinosaurs. All shooters are welcome as several different classes are available ranging from age groups to bow types.

Bitterroot Archers President Greg Ingalls is looking forward to this year’s shoot particularly because it will also serve as the first-leg of the newly created North Idaho Triple Crown tournament.

Put on through the combined efforts of three separate bow clubs (Bitterroot Archers, Coeur d’Alene Bowmen and Broken Trail Bowmen), Ingalls explains the triple crown was created to shake things up a bit with shooters in the area.

“We kind of feel like everybody is bored with going to these local shoots on the weekends, so we’re going to try and create something to get people excited about going to the archery 3D tournaments again.”

In order to win the triple crown, archers must compete in all three legs in Cataldo, Farragut State Park and Worley. The winners will be decided by combining the final scores of all three shoots.

Each shoot will award its own trophy to its winner, then other prizes (to be determined) will also be awarded to the Triple Crown finalists.

Ingalls is hoping that the announcement of Triple Crown will increase participation at all three shoots.

“I’m excited to try something different to break up the monotony of doing the same old shoots happening around here year after year,” he said. “I’m hoping for a great turnout.”

To get to the Cataldo shoot, archers should take Interstate 90 to exit 39 (Old Mission State Park) and follow the provided roadside directions. Registration will be from 7 to 10 a.m. each day and score cards will be due by 2 p.m. Triple Crown shooters will be flighted an the 24th and flights will be at 8 a.m. sharp.

Bitterroot Archers is a nonprofit organization that conducts its indoor shooting at their range located at 138 W. Cameron Ave. in Kellogg, just behind the old Ron’s Sportsmen building.

For more information about the club or the competition, contact Bitterroot Archers on their Facebook page or call 208-661-6595.