There has been many clamors about the need for 3-D and target tournaments that would allow crossbow hunters to gather and compete.  IBO and the NFAA have taken the first step by creating a crossbow class in their current structure.  However, many who have attended a shoot with their trusty crossbows feel that they were treated by some like the proverbial skunk at the church picnic.

   Walking into the “Valley of the Shadow” is not an experience that most people go looking for and have a natural tendency to avoid.  Yet, if you want to compete, there is another choice - hold your own crossbow hunting tournament.

Left to right: Mike Cooper, Diana Border and Dick Bingham

   Mike Cooper of the Shawnee Outdoorsmen Club in West Union, Ohio, along with a handful of his fellow club members, decided that it was about time that someone in that area held such a tournament.  Moreover, what better place to hold it than in a state where the crossbow has been a legal part of the archery-season for three decades. During a hot and muggy July weekend, amid the rolling hills of Adams County, the Shawnee Outdoorsmen held a two-day contest for crossbow hunters.

   Mike and fellow members Dick Bingham and Steve Bautan laid down the thirty-target course along the wooded trails of the 400-acre, Shawnee estate.  The course was carefully constructed with maximum difficulty in mind as the crew pushed the envelope with long shots and unique targets positioned to deceive and frustrate.  It was an intricate gauntlet designed to test the abilities of both archer and bow.

The course was challenging and had some great targets.

   The hostess position was assumed by Diana Border who cheerfully greeted the competitors with her bright smile, registered and fed the hungry company in between rounds, and made everyone feel like they were permanent members of the Shawnee club.  Equipment emergencies were skillfully and quickly handled by the club’s current president, Ferrell Ross, while his faithful Jack Russel terrier, Petey handled pest control. 

   Besides regular club members, contestants arrived from Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin.  Travis Salmon traveled the farthest, coming from WI and was the only wheelchair-bound archer. 

Our hosts even provided an ATV for Travis to negotiate the course.

   The club knowing that he was coming arranged to have an ATV waiting for him so that he was able to traverse the entire course and shoot all of the targets with everyone else.  The special effort and kind consideration that the club put forth to accommodate the young shooter is not only commendable, but should be an example to every sporting club in the country.

Jordon and Kent Carpenter drove from Bloomington, IL.

   Kent Carpenter and his son Jordon drove all the way from Bloomington, Illinois to compete and represent their fine state on Saturday, but had to return early Sunday without finishing the tournament.  Mark Henegar of Ohio also attended only one day and delighted everyone with by bringing several of his handcrafted custom stocks that he designs for Excalibur crossbows.

Winners left to right: 2nd Place to Steve Bautman of OH, 1st to Travis Salmon of WI and 3rd to Denny Rogers of OH.

   When the smoke had cleared at the end of the two-day tournament, the first place plaque went to Travis Salmon of Wisconsin.  Second and third place were nailed down by Shawnee club members, Steve Bautman and Denny Rogers, respectively. 

   Everyone who attended the event, however, came away feeling like a winner.  The hospitality and the camaraderie that was shared at the shoot were atypical and unique.  The members of the Shawnee Outdoorsmen are to be congratulated and applauded for their effort and dedication.  

Author Daniel Hendricks with host and tournament creator, Mike Cooper.

  Plans are underway for another tournament next year.  If you would enjoy participating in a well organized and challenging crossbow event that is staffed by warm and wonderful people, may I suggest the Shawnee Outdoorsmen Club and their Crossbow Hunting Tournament in 2010. 

There was plenty of wild life to be seen like this little fellow that got caught in the open by the participants of the author

Youth shooters and building for the future are a big part of the Shawnee Outdoorsmen Club.