Archery ranges anywhere near Herndon?

Davall · Nerd Rager! Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 1925

I figured I would ask here. I am thinking about getting back into shooting a bow and was curious if anyone happens to know of any archery ranges "near" Herndon? I am looking for no more than 45 minutes- 1 hour drive. I figure I had best try to find something before I run out and order a $500+ bow and then never get to use it.

Help a cracker out?
_________________
Tone on the internet can be a bitch. Honest, I am not Nerd Raging. Well, maybe not.

alaitoc420 · Joined: 25 Feb 2011 Posts: 74 Location: Herndon, VA

http://www.nvrpa.org/park/bull_run_public_shooting_center/content/archery

i've never been to the archery range, i usually just do my archery in the back yard. I go to bull run every so often to do some clay shooting. Good facility IMO.

Davall · Nerd Rager! Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 1925

Thanks. That's a start. Most of what I have found are clubs out in the boonies, although the one in Fairfax Station looks like it might have some promise except for the whole "initiation fee" and only being able to apply in person. At least I think that one is Fairfax Station.

If I could shoot in my back yard, I would Razz

_________________
Tone on the internet can be a bitch. Honest, I am not Nerd Raging. Well, maybe not.

Davall · Nerd Rager! Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 1925

I guess another question would be any entry level/mid ranged bow suggestions? The last time I actually used a bow was, well, 25 years ago and needless to say a lot of things have changed. Embarassed

People seem to recommend the Bear line a lot, but I am not thrilled with the 30" axle to axle. When I picked it up, it felt like a child's bow. I know it is meant for more hunting vs target shooting, but wow it felt tiny.

I guess I would be looking for something closer to 34", but so far I have not seen a lot, at least not in my price range. I am not dropping $1k+ for something that isn't going to be an every day type of hobby. I want something a bit more forgiving for a strictly amateur shooter (7"+ brace, 34" A2A or so, 50-70# draw until I figure out what is comfortable, etc).
_________________
Tone on the internet can be a bitch. Honest, I am not Nerd Raging. Well, maybe not.

Skipschnit · Herr Pyramid Dictator! Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 2274

Check out Hoffman Archery out in Gainesville as they had an indoor range as well. It's been awhile so I don't know their number.

I'm assuming you want compound and not recurve? Bear brand is the main player for cost, but check out Barrett. Find a Gander Mountain and they will have an indoor range to try for purchases.
_________________
Thanks,
Ben J.

Orationem pulchram non habens, scribo ista linea in lingua Latina

Davall · Nerd Rager! Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 1925

Yeah, I would want a compound. I shot recurve when I was younger, and I don't think I would care for it much at this point. I have a few back issues, so the weight drop off of the compound is a huge draw (hurr hurr).

Like I mentioned in my first post, Bear seems to stick to sub 32" A2A bows. That's great for tree stand hunting, but I am not sure how it would work out for casual/hobby target shooting. It's been so long the last thing I want to do is get a bow that will be tough to shoot, frustrate me, and make me quit. I already do that with painting miniatures; why have another hobby that I do the same? Razz

I might try out Hoffman Archery. I see they have a (limited) website, but I see they are in Warrenton which is a bit more of a drive than Gainesville, although not horribly so. All info is great. I went to a Dick's Sporting Goods just to physically lift a Bear. It just seems so small. I think I could get used to it, but I don't know.

I am looking at a Quest Hammer possibly. Decent price point, A2A 33", nice brace height (7"+), aka a sissy bow Wink

What reviews I have seen are positive, although I haven't really seen any negative reviews for any brand I have read about. I have a feeling regardless of what I try, it will make my memories of my old bow seem like a PoS.
_________________
Tone on the internet can be a bitch. Honest, I am not Nerd Raging. Well, maybe not.

Skipschnit · Herr Pyramid Dictator! Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 2274

Regardless of the brand, get one that fits and has the least amount of vibration on release. Trigger release? I've toyed around with bows and crossbows, but I've drifted more to the rifle/scope hobby.
_________________
Thanks,
Ben J.

Orationem pulchram non habens, scribo ista linea in lingua Latina

Davall · Nerd Rager! Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 1925

Yeah. Most of them are pretty good about limiting hand shock now, and I would probably go for a mechanical release of some sort. Finger shooting kind of hurts after a while, especially on a short A2A.

I am not a fan of guns, unfortunately. If I was willing to hunt, it would be a different story most likely.

Looks like the nearest Gander Mountain is about an hour away. I am noticing a theme here Razz

I am tempted to buy one from online and let them do everything for me, then make any final adjustments after.

http://www.huntersfriend.com/2011_Quest_Hammer_Compound_Bow/hammer_bow_by_G5_Quest_package.htm
_________________
Tone on the internet can be a bitch. Honest, I am not Nerd Raging. Well, maybe not.

Skipschnit · Herr Pyramid Dictator! Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 2274

I thought there was a Gander Mountain near Fair Oaks?
Oh, I like hunting....paper targets, milk jugs, and melons. Laughing

_________________
Thanks,
Ben J.

Orationem pulchram non habens, scribo ista linea in lingua Latina

Davall · Nerd Rager! Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 1925

AFAIK, the nearest Gander Mountain is in Winchester. It would be nice if one was near Fair Oaks Confused

_________________
Tone on the internet can be a bitch. Honest, I am not Nerd Raging. Well, maybe not.

Skipschnit · Herr Pyramid Dictator! Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 2274

I looked it up...what is now Dicks used to be Gander Mountain. My bad.
_________________
Thanks,
Ben J.

Orationem pulchram non habens, scribo ista linea in lingua Latina

Davall · Nerd Rager! Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 1925

No worries. I just got back from Gander Mountain in Winchester and shot the Quest Hammer 4 times.

Wow, have things changed. I can't wait to actually shoot a bow that's been tuned/set up for me.

I just need to convince the wife it won't be a dead investment.
_________________
Tone on the internet can be a bitch. Honest, I am not Nerd Raging. Well, maybe not.

Davall · Nerd Rager! Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 1925

Looks like she is OK with the idea, so I should have me a new bow in a week or three.

/cheer

Of course, I only have BS1, so it will be a while before I could hit the broadside of a barn Embarassed

_________________
Tone on the internet can be a bitch. Honest, I am not Nerd Raging. Well, maybe not.