What We Are

Dear Member, or prospective member,

Thank you for inquiring about the Johnson County Archers. Hopefully this letter will cover most of the questions you have. The Johnson County Archers mission is to promote the challenge and protect the values of bow hunting, by educating hunters and non-hunters alike, by promoting fair chase, ethics, shooting and bow hunting skills by the example we set; To encourage the use of the bow in hunting, and archery as a sport; To promote bow hunting and 3-D archery as a sport that the whole family can enjoy for a lifetime, where the entire family or simply the kids can enjoy the sport of archery under the guidance of experienced shooters; To promote the spirit of good fellowship among all archers.

Our range is located between North Liberty and Solon of Mehaffey Bridge Rd at the University of Iowa's McBride Nature Recreation Area. (See Map on Website) This area is owned by the Corps of Engineers and leased by the U of I. In University allows us the use of the archery range, in exchange we are required to keep the area open to the public. There is no fee to use the area except when we are having a registered shoot. There is a 40-yard practice range and two 20+-target courses that take you down through the woods. Both the practice range and the courses have burlap wrapped compressed foam or excelsior bails to shoot into. During the summer months the Club keeps the bails supplied with paper or cardboard animal targets (plus circle targets on the practice range).

Since we are not allowed to limit access to the area you may be asking, "Why join?" Membership has many benefits but the most important of these is that it strengthens the sport. We are always at odds with the anti-hunters, the non-hunters, those that are opposed to the shooting sports in general, and those who do not understand what we stand for and therefore don't like us. At any time these people may find a way to shut us down and our best defense is to be united. By joining you demonstrate your support of the Club and archery in whole. The membership fees are minimal and used almost entirely to pay for your membership to the Iowa Bowhunters Association. The majority of the overhead is paid for by donations and the proceeds from the 3-D shoots that we hold. Of course the shoots would not be so successful if we did not have the quality facilities that we do.

The only reasons we have accomplished so much in the little time that we have been around is from the support of the members and our sponsors. This is not the only way to support archery; everyone that comes to our 3-D shoots helps out.

Please don't think that I'm pushing you to join I just ask that you keep in mind what it would cost you to go anywhere else and shoot 365 days a year where the targets are provided for you. PLUS members pay only half price at our public 3-D shoots ($5/Adult) and shoot free at the member's only shoots as well as other special shoots throughout the year. Other benefits are the use of the tower and discounted prices on club apparel. An added benefit is the wealth of knowledge shared by the membership. Four of our members are also Bow hunter Education Instructors and we hope to hold instructional classes each year.

Time to get to the numbers. For one year an Adult membership is $25, a Family membership is $40, and a Student/Junior membership is $15. Or you may choose the Life membership for $625. Meetings are held the last Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm, usually at the range or the Social Center (down the road from the range on the right). Check the web site or the posters at Fin & Feather and Sheele's (sometimes Gander Mountain too). For more information please e-mail me from the link on the web site. www.johnsoncountyarchers.com

Sincerely,

Dan Heitzman

Public Relations Officer