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“Archery is not a sport of instant gratification. It’s a pursuit that rewards patience, practice, and perseverance.”
~ Brady Ellison, Olympic Archer
Whether you want an individual challenge or an activity to do with the whole family, Bowmen’s Archery Range is the place for you. Nestled just outside of Ponca City on Prentice Road, it is a beautiful 33 acres of sport and fun.
If you have a group or family gathering and need a good place, the location is wonderful for those who enjoy the outdoors. There are all types of archery challenges, from 30+ 3D targets to an area that allows you to measure the distance of your shot. Some of these targets are even moving ones. It also has an archery Stump Course, better known as a Survival Course. The location even boasts a couple of grills for cooking out, places for camping in tents or small- to mid-sized travel trailers, all while being lakeside for fishing as well. The 3D course is designed to improve hunters’ skills, and many targets have a scoring range for challenges between people or for contests.
There has been an archery club since about 1953, according to Duke Miller, who has run the range for more than 20 years. After the organization rented the current land from the City of Ponca City, Miller and about five other men have continued to build the range and make it better. All work is volunteer, so they rely on interested people. Their cost from the city is not high, but they pay for their own insurance and upkeep. Miller keeps the trails trimmed and targets in good order. The relationship with the city and area law enforcement is a good one.
People can become members of the club, which gives them access to the range at any time. There are 60 current members who enjoy the range. There are also groups who come in and rent it for specific events, such as for family reunions, birthday parties, law enforcement and cadaver dog training, and hunting groups to camp and then hunt in other areas (they can host about 25 campers). There is no hunting on the property, so many times deer and other live animals are seen walking around the range. One local beekeeper even maintains bee hives on the property. No weapons are allowed beyond the archery equipment, and no drugs or alcohol. They consider it a place that is fun and safe for all ages and where families can come for activities together. People come from all over, including Florida and Texas.
Last summer the RecPlex had a group of children to the range. Miller says that was a highlight. He enjoys it when he and other members teach younger generations to enjoy archery. They have the equipment to help children or even adults learn the craft of archery. Stillwater even brought a group, Kids Archery in School, to the range.
While they won’t have some of their ongoing activities in July and August due to the heat, other times they have Fun Shoots for the whole family a couple of times a month. It’s a family affair even for Miller since his wife June does the books and cooks the lunch for those events. One of the worries Miller has is that most of the people who come to those are not from Ponca City, and he would like to see more Ponca City people, especially youth and children, enjoy archery on this local range. He says, “We do goofy things. The more I can create, the more they (participants) like it.” He enjoys his work with the range and helping others enjoy archery. Miller was born in Wisconsin, but moved here when he was four years old. He’s lived here except for 22 years in the Navy and participated in archery on various bases during that time. June is from Scotland, but has merged right into being active in this community. They have a daughter who teaches at Union Elementary and a son who is in the Army.
In addition to Fun Shoots, the range also hosts major contests once or twice a year, usually associated with Oklahoma Traditional Bowhunters (OTB), with people from numerous places competing. Those who enjoy archery enjoy traveling to shoot on new ranges. YouTuber and archer Greg Richards, host of channel 3D Archery, even came to Ponca City about a year ago to shoot the course. In his video, he talks about the Stump Course that he shot before the 3D one: “Probably the most awesome, funnest and unique course in America.” Miller shot with him on his 3D shoot, and they obviously enjoyed their time on the course, even though it was a hot summer day.
Ponca City Bowmen hosted their last Fun Shoot at the end of June this year, but they will be back hosting Hunter’s Warmup in September. You can watch the dates of activities on their FB site, Ponca City Bowmen’s Archery Range. Miller and the other members would love to see more people in the Ponca City area become active in archery. Miller says, “It is so much fun to watch these kids, and even adults, that come out here when they’ve never shot 3D.”
If you are interested in membership, shooting archery or camping and enjoying all the area has to offer, contact Duke Miller at 580-761-4053. You might text to let him know what you would like—he’s a busy man. The GPS location for the range is 36 43 26 N 97 0 21 W, but it will be locked unless you are a member or call to set up a time for Miller to show you all it has to offer for you or your group. This is absolutely a jewel here in Ponca City that is available for all ages, groups and individuals looking for more fun, challenging activities outdoors!
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