Red Hawk, that is called stinkin' thinkin'. Archery clubs are for everyone, regardless of experience or skill level. Get into that club and meet people. Start shooting with others. Start networking with other bowhunters and pick up leads on where the hot action is. I guarantee you, you'll learn more about archery and bowhunting in ONE YEAR of being an active member in an archery club than you'll learn in 20 years of mucking about on your own.

Side benefit... Well laid out archery ranges are set up to be safe, taking even the unlikely, but possible, freak accident into account. Shooting in your backyard is dangerous, even illegal in a lot of jurisdictions. If an arrow gets away from you - release goes off prematurely, you shoot the wrong pin, string breaks, rest malfunctions, anything like that - and you cause property damage, physical injury or even death down the block, then you're wide open to civil suits and criminal charges.

But there is a flip side, of course. Archery clubs are CLUBS, not amusement parks. Your dues get you the right to use the range, but with that right comes responsibility. You will be expected to pitch in and help with range maintenance chores, maybe even serve a hitch as a club officer when you earn the confidence and respect of your fellow members.

But don't let that scare you off. Like everything else in life, you only get out of it what you put into it. I've been an officer for the past 17 years with only one two-year break when I was between clubs. My experiences, the vast amount of knowledge and experience I've been exposed to, the people I've met and the great friends I've made over the years have been well worth all the work I've put into it.

Go get an application and join that club ASAP!