I would think the main reason is probably the cost of insurance needed to cover the shop of possible safety issues or possible injuries. We all know that archery is very, very safe if done properly but that doesn't change the fact that accidents can happen and if they do there is the possibility of legal action against the shop owner. This can be covered by liability waivers but I would still believe that some major insurance coverage would still be needed as a back up. I think I remember reading somewhere that at the ATA show, that any manufacturer that was to have a shooting range at their booth needed a minimum of $1 million insurance.

Exhibitors who lease shooting lanes are required to provide
a proof of liability insurance in an amount not less than one
million dollars ($1,000,000) and said policy must list the Archery
Trade Association and the convention facility as additional insurers.

I would be willing to bet that most private archery shop owners would not want to invest in a long term insurance policy of this magnitude.

What's the difference? Everyone there is paying a fee to use the range.....just like standard operating procedure.

I know my shop has leagues! He is open from 9 till 1 then from 530 till 9 closed Mondays! I went down there already and could not get a parking spot it was so full!

Down here at S&S Graham when I worked there, we had talked about building an indoor range for this purpose, and that was the reason the girls stuck to for not doing it. Honestly I think it would help improve business, advertisement, profit during the slow winter and spring months, etc. I was just throwing another reason out there for why an owner might not want to host these indoor events.

Takes allot money GMMAT! Not everyone is made of gold. The archery shops around my area haven't done to well, It might be a tough business to be in, at least from what I've seen where I live.

I guess I'm trying to understand how it could COST money and not MAKE money.

The numbers don't lie.

I can guaranee you my shop has 30 guys on the range plan per year. That's $4,500 a year to replace cores.....run the lights....pay the help.

Have shoots only one night a week.....and charge an extra fee for these shoots.....and you HAVE to make money. You're spending $1K in replacement cores. If the guy makes $10/hr.....3 extra hours a week......throw in labor burden and let's say it costs you $50 a week extra in wages (TOPS!). That's $2K in extra wages.

So....you're now at $3,500 in expenses (with $4,500 tendered)....and you haven't even accounted for a single dollar in entry fees.

Nope....I'm calling lazy.

The shop I was at last night has a league on Tuesday and a fun shoot on Thursday. The cost last night was $15. 10 for the pot and 5 for the range. To just shoot the range was $5 per hour. Not bad for the possibility of shooting inside out of the elements.

Start one yourself then!

What about a central location, all the local shops support it, ran by a third party and all shops can hold a league shoot there for a fee?

Dont quote me on this, but I remember hearing (from the owner) of the shop here in town was paying around 7 grand a month in insurance before he closed up. They also had an underground rifle range though.

Or maybe the guy just wasnt worried about the extra money, and wanted to spend time with his family or away from work instead.