Pope and Young Bowhunter Bash Returns to Ogden, Utah

Pope and Young’s 2nd Annual Inter-Mountain Bowhunter Bash, which is sponsored by WildFit, will take place May 20, 2023, at The Bakcou Center – Weber County Archery Park — in Ogden, Utah. The day will be packed full of family friendly activities. Attendees can test their skills on the 3-D course, check out the vendor area, and enjoy food and cornhole boards. Last year’s successful National Field Judging Championship returns, where attendees can enter and test their field judging skills.

The evening will wrap up with a ticketed banquet dinner, where attendees can take part in raffles, door prizes, silent auction items, and a live auction. Like last year, tickets are expected to sell out; click here for more information.

“The Ogden area is home to so many of our great partners like King's Camo, Bakcou, WildFit, Easton, Hoyt, and many others,” stated Dylan Ray of Pope and Young. “Getting together with all our partners to make this event happen is what makes it so special. This event proved itself in the first year and we can’t wait to get back and see all our friends in the Ogden area again.”

 

NASP Celebrates Growth of Western National Bullseye and 3D Tournaments

The 2023 NASP National tournament season is underway with the 2023 Western National Tournament being held at the Mountain America Exposition Center in Sandy, Utah, on April 28-29. A total of 1,763 bullseye archers, from 24 states, attended this year’s tournament. For several western archers, this event was the first time they had qualified to attend a NASP national competition. Click here to see the results of the 2023 Western Nationals Bullseye Competition.

In addition to the exciting bullseye competition, The International Bowhunting Organization’s NASP/IBO 3D Challenge was also held with 1,214 participants from 21 states. Click here for the results of the 2023 Western IBO/3D Competition

IBO Vice President Ryan Bass said, “We continue to be encouraged about the increasing excitement and participation in the western states. We are extremely optimistic about the future and continued growth of the NASP IBO 3D Challenge!”

NASP was also pleased to collaborate with Centershot Ministries, which conducted the 2023 Centershot Western National Tournament. There were 652 Centershot archers from 21 states who were able to compete in bullseye and 3D competitions. Click here to see results from the Centershot Western National Tournament.

Centershot Ministries Executive Director Aaron Scheer said, “We are all in for Western Nationals! The growth of the sport of archery is exploding in the United States and being a part of the NASP Western National Tournament gives western archers a chance to compete on the big stage. Centershot Ministries uses NASP archery protocols to help churches reach their community with archery camps, leagues, and tournaments. JROTC Archery teams also competed at the 2023 Western Nationals for the second year in a row. A total of 280 cadets from eight states participated. This year, the JROTC bullseye and 3D tournaments were hosted by Centershot B.L.U.E., the Law Enforcement and Military division of Centershot Ministries. Click here to see the results from this competition.

As the 2023 Western National competition comes to an end, archers from the eastern portion of the United States will now gear up for their opportunity to compete. NASP will conduct the Eastern National Tournament on May 11-13 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Attendance at the Eastern National Tournament is expected to be one of the largest since before the pandemic. Scores from both tournaments (Eastern and Western), will then be combined to determine the individuals and teams that will be named as overall champions and then advance to the Open Championship, June 8-10, 2023, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

 

Bowtech Pro Paige Pearce Wins With Last Arrow

Bowtech Pro Shooter Paige Pearce (below, center) recently took first place during the ASA Camp Minden event with an incredible last arrow in the shoot-down. She has won every ASA event so far this year.

Pearce said, “I am so excited about my win at ASA Camp Minden! The shoot-down was incredibly nerve-wracking, and on the final arrow, I had to shoot a 14 to win. That’s no easy task, but I stepped up and sent my arrow right into the 14-ring for the win. That was my first ever 14 in ASA, and I’m so glad I pulled that off when I needed it most. After taking time off to hunt in New Zealand, I am so thankful that my Reckoning Gen 2 36 is so forgiving that I could come back after a break and still perform at my best.”

Bowtech Shooting Manager Todd Snader said, “Paige Pearce's win is a testament to her incredible talent and dedication to the sport. She has been a force to be reckoned with in the archery world for many years and continues to inspire a new generation of shooters with her amazing feats. The Reckoning Gen2 bow is the perfect tool for her.”

 

R100 National Archery Tour Remaining Dates

The National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) invites you to participate in theR100 National Archery Tour as it heads to Staunton, Virginia, and Allentown, New Jersey, this month.

NBEF is sponsoring the 2023 R100 National Archery Tour. The R100 is celebrating 20 years of operating family friendly 3D archery events. R100 works with local clubs and archery pro shops who host the events across the United States. NBEF chose to partner with R100 again to increase awareness of NBEF’s safety and success-focused bowhunter ed classes and to actively support the industry.

“The R100 events are very approachable for youth and adults,” said NBEF Executive Director Marilyn Bentz. “We’ve found these events are a great way for NBEF to engage with archers and foster an interest in bowhunting. We’re excited to sponsor the Youth Zone complete with colorful and unique targets.”

The Youth Zone features five uniquely painted dinosaur targets and two NASP targets. It is free to all supervised youth and cub shooters.

All events use the same format including two 50-target ranges (the Safari Range and North American Range). Specialty shoots are offered each day.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the National Bowhunter Education Foundation as a way to promote the sport of archery as well as ethical hunting practices,” explained R100 Co- owner Brittany Rinehart.

“We look forward to educating shooters all over the country as well as providing them with a fun, enjoyable archery event,” added R100 Co-owner Brad Rinehart.

Upcoming 2023 R100 Events

• May 5-7 – Staunton VA in partnership with Augusta Archers
• May 19-21 – Allentown NJ in partnership with United Bowhunters of New Jersey
• June 9-11 – Sturbridge MA in partnership with Hamilton Rod & Gun Club
• June 23-25 – Ottawa OH in partnership with Leipsic Fishing & Hunting
• July 7-9 - Fayette IA in partnership with Echo Valley Archers
• July 21-23 – Sparta WI in partnership with Sparta Rod & Gun Club
• July 28-30 – Farmland IN in partnership with Farmland Conservation Club
• August 4-6 - Moberly MO in partnership with NoMo Bowhunters
• August 11-13 – Saginaw MI in partnership with Saginaw Field & Stream Club
• August 18-20 – Pipestem WV in partnership with Pipestem Resort
• August 25-27 – Calhoun KY in partnership with Myer Creek Archers
• September 8-10 – Franklin PA in partnership with Fertigs Archery Club

Visit R100.org for event details. Spectators are welcomed, too.

 

Pope and Young Award Winners From 33rd Biennial Convention

Pope and Young recently announced the recipients of its prestigious Conservation, Youth, Stewardship, and other awards. These recipients were honored at the most recent Biennial Convention held in Reno, Nevada.

The Conservation Awards are four awards given to individuals and/or groups for outstanding commitment to bowhunting and conservation.

• Pope and Young Conservation Award: The National Deer Association
• Pope and Young Stewardship Award: Iowa Bowhunters Association
• Pope and Young Lee Gladfelter Memorial Award: C.J. Winand
• Pope and Young Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Award: Lt. Stacey Lewton NE P&P

To see a detailed definition of who each award recognizes, and past recipients, visit the Pope and Young Achievement Awards page.

The Glen St. Charles Outstanding Member Award was awarded to Stan and Carolyn Godfrey and the Lifetime Membership Award was presented to Gil and Deb Hernandez. The infrequently presented Ishi Award is the highest honor which the Pope and Young Club can bestow upon a bowhunter. It is awarded only when a truly outstanding North American big game trophy animal is deserving of recognition. A nomination and selection committee, comprised wholly of the Pope and Young Board of Directors, determines each selection after careful evaluation.

This year the Ishi Award was given to one very deserving trophy, Bowdy Gardner with his new world record typical mule deer in velvet, measuring an incredible 218 2/8 inches. Bowdy’s Utah mule deer was the talk of the show, a real attention getter, and a trophy that is truly deserving of this highest honor.