3-D archery shoot set for this weekend

COSHOCTON - Hundreds of archers are expected to take to the woods just west of Coshocton this weekend to shoot life-sized, three-dimensional animal targets in the Rinehart R100.

The Coshocton County Sportsman's Association is hosting the event's fourth annual edition Saturday and Sunday on 324 acres headquartered at 21280 Township Road 283. Registration starts at 7 a.m. both days, with archers expected to hit the course by 7:30 a.m., according to shoot organizer Karl Steiner. The course will close at 5 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.

"The thing that's nice for us, being Memorial Day weekend, we get a good crowd," Steiner said. "If you're into archery, this is the perfect place to go."

Club members have been busy since Tuesday installing 100 3-D animal targets throughout the complex's wooded trails, splitting the total in half with a North American side and an African side. A mountain lion, wild boar, hippopotamus, zebra, giraffe and elephant are among the targets, along with at least one dinosaur.

The event continues to grow, starting with 132 participants in 2013, its first year. Last year, 627 archers came to Coshocton County from at least nine states and Canada to participate, Steiner said. This year, organizers hope to top 700 visitors over both days.

The event is not a competition, Steiner said, but the Rinehart Target company, based in Janesville, Wisconsin, will award pins for points. Novelty shoots back at the clubhouse will feature prizes. A fish fry, at $8 a plate, is open to the public Saturday, Steiner said.

Archers will shoot from different distances, based on their categories: cubs, for children; traditional shooters; bowhunters; and open class, Steiner said. Points vary from 11 for an inner-circle shot to 5 for a body shot. Each participant keeps his or her own score.

Participation for adults costs $40 for one day or $60 for both days.Young adults from age 11 to 16 pay $20 or $25. Children age 10 and younger get in free.

Earnings will help the club pay for youth programs and the construction of a new indoor archery range, Steiner said.

jwilliams6@gannett.com

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