Spring

Well, spring has come early to Minnesota & most of us are OKAY with that!  The ice went off our lake Monday night.  Ducks and geese are flying in.  Some trees are budding & we've even gotten rain.  I saw some turkeys strutting today.

What does this have to do with archery??? 

We can shoot outside now.  The temperatures are mild & snow piles long gone.  How great does that fresh spring air smell?  Ahhhh.

It's officially the last week of winter indoor league at Northridge.  There will be a one week gap before the Minnesota State Archery tournament in Bemidji.  Jason will be opening Northridge for Al on Wednesday next week. Otherwise, it's closed for the season. State shooters will have to practice at home on Thursday.


OTHER NEWS:

Jason turned 32 on Sunday.  It's the first year EVER to celebrate his birthday outside as a BBQ.  He went to a game farm turkey hunt the day before and had a great time with other archery friends bagging some gobblers.  The stories I've heard about it are very comical.




(Why don't guys ever smile for pictures?)
He got bipod shooting sticks for coyote hunting.


SHOP HOURS:

We're in limbo deciding what to do for spring shop hours here in Finlayson.  Until we make it official and settle on something that works for our family & "real" jobs, please hang in there.  Jason's night shifts are hard to work around.  We are welcoming any call aheads and will gladly make you appointments to meet with Jason.  April through June are our slow months (and I mean SLOW).  Leave messages at our home # (320)233-0516 or call Jason cell (320)279-0625 for all your spring archery needs, until further notice. 

DON'T FORGET:

The first 3D shoot is April 21-22 at Northridge.  This is the time to pick up your league trinkets and trophies!!!  We hope to see you all there!

CUB LEAGUE IMAGES:

Here are a few photographs of the Cub Banquet on March 10. Thanks to all the dedicated parents for bringing kids to shoot each week.  It's great to see our future bow hunters improve shooting & gain personal confidence!

Learning to score 3D targets!



Trophies!



Food!



Games!

 

PRIZES DONTATED BY:
 BOWTECH, LUMINOK, H&H ARCHERY SUPPLY



State Shooters

Just a few reminders to state tournament shooters:

If you need arrows or other items please let us (Jason/Jane) know ASAP so we can order product accordingly.  Hip quivers are also necessary, but you could also just borrow one.

Don't forget to preregister with the MSAA by March 24th to save $5.  This would have come in the mail.

Practice often & around other shooters.  Try shooting next to a lefty person, you might be placed face to face with one (or if you're a lefty, you might be used to it!) Busy nights at the range are a helpful atmosphere.

Scope out Bemidji online to see what food & shopping are available.  Print some handy coupons.  Last year some of us did a little bowling.

Shooters from last year, dig out your Otter Trail Archery/ Northridge Archery Range orange shirts.  We are wearing the same shirts as last because we had enough left for all the new people shooting this year. We want to use them up! If yours is worn out, check with Jane, Jason or Al to see if we have any more in your size. 

Bring your Northridge & Otter Trail Archery hats too, even if you only wear them around the hotel!

Pack up your spare release, if you have one.  Bring plenty of arrows.  A pocket wrench may be handy for practice shoot tweaking, since the lighting will be different from Northridge.  Practice shooting does cost extra.

Try and mark you bow case with an easy-to-spot sticker, tag, or even spray paint.  It's very hard to find YOUR black case among 1000 others!!!

Allow some extra cash on the trip for souvenir MSAA tee shirts, pins, patches or coats.  There is a snack & beverage window there, but bringing your own is another option.

If bringing kids, throw in a deck of cards, DS, book, or other items to occupy the down time.  There is a lot of sitting involved.

Don't forget the CAMERA!  All shooters have good odds of winning & this is a memorable event! 

Videos

I stumbled on this video of some good old boys shed hunting in Minnesota from last spring.
Check out their find:  Locked Bull Moose

Another cool video shows a well hidden deer skull with the most unbelievable rack!
Here it is: Monster Whitetail

One more video reveals a deer rack, stuck in a tree.  You can only image the panic it must have felt.
Deer Skull

We might have a crusty bunch of snow here, but it will be melting shortly.  Unless we get dumped on again, the shed hunting season will be back on!  Can you imagine finding this pair that Ken from Superior discovered?  WOW!

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