Welcome to the Everglades Archery Club. We have been around for over 50 years. We are a family oriented club with something for everyone, from the occasional target archer to the most dedicated tournament archer. Many of our members are hunters too. We are an NFAA/FAA affiliated club and follow the prescribed tournament rules. There are paper shoots and 3-D shoots scheduled throughout the year. So, it is up to you to come and enjoy the sport. Your club officers and board members are always glad to hear your ideas, as they could be the cornerstones for tomorrow. The Everglades Archery Club promotes the sport of archery and the spirit of good fellowship. We encourage the safe and responsible use of the bow in tournament competition and in hunting, and we cooperate with organizations in the conservation of our natural wildlife resources.

General Rules

The bow and arrow is a deadly weapon. In the hands of an irresponsible person it could be lethal, so please be aware of your limits and those of your bow. Proper training, as in any sport, will allow you to enjoy archery to the fullest. Remember, SAFETY is the first rule.

Children are always welcome at the range but must be under direct adult supervision at all times. Children, like adults, must be competent with a bow and arrow and practice proper shooting line etiquette.

Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the club property, especially prior to or during any shooting activities.

Nothing other than the bow and arrow, such as BB guns, firearms or crossbows, are allowed at any time. The range is not designed for these weapons and our liability insurance does not cover their use.

Bicycles, ATC'S, motorcycles, and other motor vehicles are a safety hazard to all on the range and are not allowed.

You may fish in the pond, but all fishing is strictly catch and release. The use of barbless hooks is required if you fish. No bowfishing is permitted.

Members are encouraged to bring prospective members to the range as their guest. Please remember you are responsible for the safety of your guest, and you are not to leave them unsupervised while on club property. After the second visit your guests are expected to join the club and support club activities.

The gate is to be relocked after entering the property so people can't wander in and possibly find themselves in harm's way. If you are coming in when we are having a club shoot or other scheduled event, such as Wednesday night shoots, there is no need to close and lock the gate, after all there will be others behind you.

Please park at an angle along the fence. Do not park north of the light poles as that area is used for turning around. Do not park directly in front of the storage trailers as this would make access to them difficult when deliveries are made. It also makes retrieving materials and putting them away difficult.

Membership

Memberships are renewable at the Annual Club Picnic in July, or available any time during the year. After March the membership will be prorated through July. However, the NFAA/FAA dues cannot be prorated. Individual and family memberships are available. A family membership covers Husband, Wife, and all children under 18. At 18 years of age you are expected to become an individual member. There will be only one gate key issued per household. You will be issued a membership card with a unique number for yourself, and your family if applicable. Please keep your membership cards visible at all times on the range. All members of the club are eligible to vote in club elections, and members are encouraged to vote and have a say in the business of the club.

 

Each club member is required to participate in at least 2 work parties per year. Work party tasks consist of mowing the grass, pasting the targets, posting the targets, clearing the shooting lanes as needed for upcoming events, painting the yardage markers, and target butt and bale maintenance. Some of our members work at home pasting the targets that we shoot each week, so there is something for everyone to do. If you can't come out to the work parties please contact one of the club officers or board members. There is always something to do on other days or afternoons. Even the children can help at work parties.

Club Activities

Periodically each household is mailed a copy of the club newsletter "Gator Tales”. We try to include news about upcoming events, schedules, etc., and articles of interest. The editor always welcomes articles written by club members. (Word Perfect is the preferred format if submitting an article on disc.)

Each Wednesday night the flint range lights are turned on, and you can shoot for a fee to cover costs. Several times a year there are organized leagues. The most popular is the indoor league and the 3D league. The name indoor in South Florida refers to the distance and target face that is shot. Only the Yanks up north have to confine themselves to being inside. Both league and non-league shooters are welcome. The 3D league is set up as 5 animals at various distances. You shoot one arrow at each animal, and score. The animals are than moved and you shoot 5 more arrows and score again. The moving of animals, shooting, and scoring are repeated for a total of 20 arrows. It is a handicapped league, so all shooters have an equal chance of winning.

Club shoots are held monthly usually on a Sunday, scheduled in cooperation with other clubs in the region that are affiliated with the Florida Archery Association and the NFAA. Special seminars may be held along with the club shoots. Check the range bulletin board, club newsletter or special mailings for schedules. Maps to other clubs are available from the club secretary-treasurer. Also see the LINKS page for information available from other archery clubs and organizations.

Practice Range Rules

Sighting-in and warming up should be done on the Flint Range only. The Field Range, for safety reasons, should be shot as a consecutive 28 target round, starting at target #1. As new archers, or even seasoned archers, sometimes we need to be refreshed on target scoring and such, especially when rules and target faces are changed by the NFAA. Rules to follow for the various "seasons" are in your Membership Information Packet.

Safety is the FIRST (1st) rule. Please observe good Flint Range line etiquette. All archers must remain behind the shooting line until the last arrow is released and the shooting line is called cold or clear. This is signaled by the range captain blowing his whistle or verbally calling the line clear or cold. Place your bow on the rack while the line is cold / clear. All archers will advance to the targets and score and pull their arrows at the same time. Shooting cannot begin until everyone is behind the shooting line and the range captain has called the line HOT.

BROADHEADS:  Broadheads are to be shot in the Broadhead Sand Pits at the south end of the Flint Range ONLY!  Do not shoot Broadheads into any other targets on the Flint or Field Ranges. We spend most of our income replacing used bales and can't afford the damage caused by Broadheads. To that end, if you are found shooting Broadheads into the Flint or Field range bales you will forfeit your membership and there will be no rebate of dues paid.

Field Range Rules

Please shoot only the designated targets. Never shoot when a person is downrange from you. Please don't disturb any wildlife on club property. We have a unique opportunity to observe several species here and enjoy our wild friends.

Target pathways are one-way only for your safety. Please stay on the designated pathways and follow arrow directions. Do not travel on the maintenance roads or cross any barriers as this may put you in harm's way. The Field Range is constructed so you may shoot targets 1-14 or 15-28 or 1-28 as complete rounds, with a safe path between the parking area and target 15.

Always leave your bow or another member of your group in front of the target should you have to look for arrows. This tells other archers to wait.

Other Items of Interest

There are a variety of shooting styles which you will encounter:

In addition to male and female, archers are classed by age:

Pee Wee - under 8 years old
Cub - up to 11 years old
Youth - 12 to 14 years old
Young Adult - 15 to 17 years old
Adult - 18 to 54 years old
Senior - 55 years old and up

Youth, cub and pee wee classes each shoot different yardages.

If you find an arrow, please place it in the tube behind the large yellow rules sign in our club pavilion. Be extra careful handling shattered carbon arrows as you can get splinters in your hands.

SAFETY IS #1 - Always use caution and good sense.

Have a great day at the range.