Aiming for a good time

Here's the next installment in my Outside the Ordinary series for the Alaska Star. Joshua took the photos.

It wasn't a typical turkey shoot. People were dressed in camouflage, the targets were foam animals and it took place in a forest in Chugiak.

But it was what I expected: a fun-filled day out with bowhunters who wanted to practice their aim.

Dan Branvold, the club's president, and his fianc?e, Barb Frost, emerged from the crowd to greet me.

Friendly and welcoming, Barb chatted while rummaging through her truck to get me the equipment I would need to participate.

Barb handed me a 25-pound bow, pulled an arm guard over the sleeve of my coat and laced a finger guard around my hand.

Grabbing arrows, we headed toward a practice range, where Vikki Gross, who has been part of the Cook Inlet Archers during its almost 20-year existence, and MJ Larson, who's been shooting with the club for eight years, joined us.

The three women bow hunters proceeded to give me my first archery lesson.

Talking through each step, and laughing a lot, we started with how to plant my feet and ended with how to release the arrow.

OK, now give it a go, they said.

I notched the back of a arrow in the bow's string, lined my feet up — turning my legs and shoulders perpendicular to the target, while squaring my hips — tightened the muscles between my shoulder blades, turned my gaze to the target's center, pulled the string back until my index finger brushed my lip and opened my hand.

The arrow whizzed away — moving in the general direction of the target, but veering substantially to the right of the burlap bag.

Close, I thought.

I gave it another try and once again the arrow buried into the shallow snow to the right of the target.

My third arrow also flew smack-dab to the right, and that's when I realized I have something to be proud of: I'm a consistent shooter.

With a deep breath and a good dose of giggles, I took a few steps closer, all the while trying to digest the many tips flying my direction.

And then (drum roll, please), I drew an arrow back, released it and bam — I heard the satisfying thud of the arrow burying into the target.

With a little success on my side, the four of us set out on the 25-target course that wove through the 13-acre Carol Moench Archery Range in Chugiak.

The targets were realistic-looking foam animals, placed throughout dense woods. The course was purposefully set up to reflect hunting conditions, so not all shots were clear or easy.

The first animal we aimed for was a red fox perched on top of a hill.

Two of the ladies hit foam; the third split a small birch tree that obstructed the target — an impressive feat in and of itself, even if it was unintentional.

I took my turn last. Positioning myself close to the foam fox, I took aim and wha-la. I tallied 5 points! A target hit is worth between 5 and 12 points, depending on where the arrow pierces the foam.

We moved from one target to the next, ducking under trees, slipping on snow and, all in all, having a very good time.

It was obvious that most club members aim to enjoy each other's company just as much as they aim for the target.

The archers told hunting stories, talked about the strange rift between compound and traditional bow hunters (both are invited to participate with the Cook Inlet Archers) and explained the nuances of various bows.

Club competitions always happen, no matter the weather, they said. Only once has a competition been canceled, and that was because there was so much snow, the city couldn't get out to plow.

This means they've shot in negative 30 degrees, howling wind and every other kind of weather Alaska serves up. Along the way they've learned some tricks for staying warm, including carrying hand warmers in their pockets or muffs.

Normally, the competitions are mixed, with both the guys and the gals forming groups of three to five to go through the circuit. On that particular Sunday, the ladies formed their own group to be able to give me instruction.

My shots continued to be hit and miss. It didn't help that I closed my eyes just as I was releasing the arrow — an unconscious reflex caught on camera.

My habit of shooting to the right of the target persisted, so I started compensating by aiming a little bit to the left. That helped.

After a couple of hours, I found my arms starting to feel limp; my aim corresponded.

I decided to head out, but not without hearty thanks. Hanging out with the Cook Inlet Archers was a great way to spend a Sunday morning.

For information on the Cook Inlet Archers contact Dan Branvold at 677-1306. Shoots cost $20 for members, $25 for non-members and $15 for youth. The fee includes a hot lunch. An annual membership cost $25 for a single and $35 for a family. The Cook Inlet Archers have about 100 members.