Bowhunting competitions in Neepawa hit the mark
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- Published on Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Photo by Eoin Devereux
About 60 bowhunters from across the prairies participated in the Yellowhead Bowhunters Provincial 3D Championship and the final stage of the 3D Triple Crown Championship on Saturday, July 7.
By Eoin Devereux
Neepawa Banner & Press
The best bowhunters from across the province recently converged on Neepawa for a pair of premier events. On Saturday, July 7, the Yellowhead Bowhunters Archery Club hosted both the Provincial 3D Championship and the final stage of the 3D Triple Crown Championship.
The Triple Crown was part of a three-stage series put together by the Archers and Bowhunters Association of Manitoba (ABAM). The other parts of this accumulative competition have already been held in Selkirk and Winnipeg.
As for the Provincial Championship, that was a separate shoot which took place at the same time and was open to shooters of all abilities. Both tournaments feature “3D” life-sized animal targets, which are placed in outdoor areas that simulate bow hunting. The surrounding terrain of over 80 acres is used to provide visual challenges and varying levels of difficulty for the shooters.
Yellowhead Bowhunters club president Adam Lukin said about 60 competitors participated in either one or both of these events. He noted that because of the size and scope of these shoots, the club decided to make this year’s course extra special.
“We created two separate courses in order to challenge the shooters. We have our normal course on our land located just east of [Neepawa]. On top of that, Terry and Carolyn Payjack, who own the property adjacent to our course, generously donated the use of some of their land. So we have been able to temporarily set up a second course. We are very thankful to them for allowing that,” said Lukin. “As for the competitors, they have really been happy with the challenge both courses are providing them. They’ve been saying that the layout of the targets has been great. It’s been a good challenge for all levels of shooter. We’ve had a good turnout and there have been some very good remarks from the course. This has given us a chance to showcase the club and this wide acreage of land that we have access to. The area is well maintained, thanks to all of our club members, so we’re really pleased with how things have gone.”
Aside from the local shooters, an event of this scale brought out bowhunters from across the prairies, including Adam Boyle of Regina, SK. Boyle said this was his first time on Neepawa’s course and that he found it to be very impressive.
“[He and members of his family] participate in events like this throughout the summer. The schedule has allowed us a chance to come here and take part. I like the layout here. It’s a good up and down course, the changes in elevation add an extra challenge to the shooting. It’s the type of course that the community should be proud of,” stated Boyle.
As for the long-term plans of Yellowhead Bowhunters Club, Lukin said they hope to continue to attract more provincial and potentially national events to Neepawa in the future.
