The Heisler Archery Club has grown from an informal group of like-minded people into an organization that’s attracting people from all over the province to the Flagstaff County region.
Derek White started the Archery Club back in 2018, opening a range at the Heisler Rec Centre that year.
White says it was initially just a space for people who owned the gear to come in and practice, often using their own targets.
He says initially the space was also used by other groups, but after a few years, it became the club’s dedicated range.
White says the club became a non-profit organization in 2021, and since then, has fundraised through silent and online auctions and received some grants that have allowed the club to purchase more targets, and purchase some club-owned bows.
The club flourished through Covid, because they were able to operate with the required spacing. White says that’s when the idea of having time slots came along, something the club is thinking of instituting again, not because of spacing, but because of demand.
White says the club has around 35 members this year.
“The early slots tend to be taken by families, with the older members coming later.”
He says most people come with their own gear, or start out using club gear then progress to purchasing their own.
White says that the club is affiliated with both Alberta Archery and Archery Canada, which brings a lot of benefits. “A membership purchased from our club includes an amount that goes towards our affiliations.”
He says another advantage is having Heisler Archery Club members getting certification numbers that allow them to compete in provincial competitions.
White says that the club tries to keep membership dues and event entry fees as low as possible to make them as accessible as possible.
White just came from the Provincials competition this past weekend where he competed in the Hunter Class and got fifth place, while his daughter competed in the Age 15-16 Class and won first place.
Heisler’s is a 3-D club, which means that you won’t see members lined up to shoot at paper targets. They use 2-D and 3-D targets, set up on the range, also using the IBO scoring system, which are marked on each target, and provide points for hitting in a certain place.
The club also has an outdoor space, which was donated to them. It’s just over 10 acres or so, and it’s there that the club will be hosting a big event this July that will take place outside.
It will be the second year for the outdoor event, where 3-D targets will be placed within two loops that have been mulched down, with a target lane coming out from a spoke in the circle.
White says that the first event they tried on the land last year attracted 75 people, many of them visitors to the region, and this year they are expecting even more.
White says for last year’s event, he was able to have the Battle River Railway passenger train on hand, so that competitors could have an ice cream in Heisler and then take a train ride.
White says that at the Club’s last shoot, there were around six people from Flagstaff County, with the rest coming from all around the province, like Sundre, Edmonton, and even Calgary.
“It’s amazing how far people will come for an event like this.
“We’re super fortunate to have the support we do from all around Flagstaff County.”
This January, the club applied for and was approved for a Flagstaff County Tourism Assistance Grant, in the amount of $3,000.
White says the region has been very generous, from individuals to corporate sponsorship, in helping the club get on its feet.
Hosting this July’s event, which will be part of the Archery ASA tour, is expected to bring in well over 100 competitors, and the club will use the funding to purchase more 3-D targets as part of the two-day event that will feature over 60 different and unique shots.
The three-dimensional targets cost anywhere from $250 for a skunk to over $3,000 for a full-sized buck.
White says, “Archery is a great sport for all ages. We have a grandparent that comes and brings along their grandchild so they can shoot together.”
He’s in the process of completing his official archery coaching certification, but he’s always been on hand to help newcomers to the sport. “There’s quite a lot to coaching archery. It’s fairly easy to coach the beginners, but the juniors and up have more complicated rules.”
He says the Archery Club range can also be rented for birthday parties and events.
The club is in the middle of hosting a trio of 3-D indoor shoots, which started in January and with the next shoot scheduled for March 1. “People from Sedgewick, Lougheed, Strome, Killam, and Camrose come for some of the shoots. There are a lot of bow hunters in the area.”
These competitive shoots attract many visitors from outside Flagstaff as well.
White says that bows range from $250 to in the thousands, adding, “Anyone can get into this sport for any age. There are cheaper bows that will be good enough to try it out.”
He says he really enjoys introducing people to the sport of Archery, and really enjoys working with young people, too.
“When you see them get that big smile when they make a shot, that’s what I do it for, and that’s all the payment I need.”
Leslie Cholowsky
Editor