We love 3-D archery shoots. And we hope you do to. During this years 3-D shoot schedule, bowhuntinginfo will be visiting a new bow hunting or archery club each week. We will let you know how we liked the club, about some of the members and on good days, how we shoot. If you would like to see a previous report look here. If you would like us to visit, make sure you post your archery shoot schedule and drop us an invitation. We can't promise we will make it, but we will be shooting somewhere every weekend. Good shooting!

Nelson Ledges IBO Qualifier

 

What a treat this shoot was. Nelson Ledges, in Garrettsville, Ohio, was the perfect spot to be in this early May weekend. This range, owned by Ken and Linda Janecek has only been open since about 1995. The range sits on almost 300 acres of beautifully different terrain. There are currently two complete 30 target 3-D courses, and Ken is talking about setting up a third range. There sure is plenty of room. There is no indoor facility, but they do have a covered pavilion for picnicking or whatever. The spot target range is conveniently located and away from the 3-D courses so there is no interference from either. Nelson Ledges takes pride in the quality of their targets. While we were there, we had opportunity to shoot or walk both ranges. All their targets were in good shape, and consisted of both McKenzie and Rinehart targets. Because this was an IBO qualifier, Nelson Ledges had set one course up with all McKenzie targets, while the other had a mixture of both. Not only were their targets nice, they also put a lot of effort into target placement, too. There were several targets where you had the option of shooting one of two animals. They also took the time to set targets up in very real situations, such as drinking from a stream. The additional effort to position the targets like this was a real treat.

Nelson Ledges care and target placement is enhanced because of the beauty of their location and terrain. The range is situated, as their name implies, along a series of ledges cut by a stream. One of the favorite targets in the course is "Sparky in the cave". This is typically a cougar target set up in the dark recesses of a shallow cave in the ledges cut by the creek. Depending on where Ken and Linda set up the shooting stakes, this shot may be anywhere from 20 to 50 yards. This shot is called "Sparky", because if you miss the shot, you will see sparks as your arrow hits the rock surrounding the target. And that happens a lot. The dark interior of the cave seems to throw a lot of shooters distance estimates off. By itself, "Sparky" is a shot worth traveling to see, but that is not the only spectacular shot on the course. Nelson Ledges boasts a waterfall as well. While we were there, the targets where set up such that the shot was taken from the top of the waterfall at "drinking" targets along the stream bed below. But at other times, the shots are made from the stream bed up to the top of the falls or even through the falls themselves. Wow! Nelson Ledges is open every weekend, and they hold eight week spring leagues and fall leagues that shoot during the week. Randy Osaka helps Ken and Linda out with the leagues. If you would like more information about Nelson Ledges you can visit their link page at bowhuntingINFO, or their own web site, or call them at 330-527-4940. Oh, by the way, the course must be doing something right, as Linda won the IBO World this year, and was the Triple Crown Champion last year. Look for a feature article on Linda soon.

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