and the art of archery Sharon Pierce, a thirty-something single mom/teacher’s aide/college student who lives in Hamlin, knew within the first few lessons that she was hooked on archery. Less than four years after that introduction, she placed first in her division at the New York State archery championships held in Rochester last April. Pierce, mother of three boys, Sean, 17, Luke, 13 and Riley, 10, is just one of a number of women who have recently taken up what traditionally has been predominantly a male sport. Geena Davis, the Oscar-winning actress who portrayed Thelma in the hit film "Thelma and Louise," helped bring female archers into public view when she tried out in 1999 for the U.S. Olympic Team. While she finished only 24th in the trials for the Sydney Olympics, failing to make the three-woman, three-man U.S. team, her high profile participation attracted attention to a sport currently undergoing a resurgence in popularity. Sharon Pierce got started when she took her son, Luke, along with his scout troop, to an introductory lesson at Creekwood, a Brockport archery shop which rents and sells equipment, provides lessons, has an indoor shooting range and organizes adult and youth leagues. As Luke’s interest in archery waned and he moved on to other activities, Pierce found herself increasingly challenged by the sport which she has continued on her own. "When I first started, I could draw a 25-lb. bow - with difficulty," she says, " Now I can draw a 50-lb. bow using muscles around the shoulder blade I never knew I had." Her first bow, along with aluminum arrows with target points, which she still uses, cost around $250. Aside from indoor target range charges of about $5 an hour, there are no other significant expenses for newcomers. "To begin you just shoot at a paper target," she says, "but now I also participate in 3-D, where you walk through a field and shoot at targets set up at unknown distances. In 3-D, the animal-shaped targets are made of foam -- woodchucks, alligators, elk, bear and deer have scoring rings on them. You have to judge the distance (of the target) and make a good shot, then you score your shot - "it's like golf, really," she said. "In target archery, it is mostly a mind game. Physically, you try to perform as consistently as possible but your head really gets in the way. It’s about precision, doing the same thing over and over again. In 3-D, it’s a different game. I prefer 3-D because the variety makes it more fun, there’s more to think about," Pierce said. To prepare for a competition, Pierce says, "I shoot about three times a week. I might do a little stretching exercise. Some people do strengthening exercises and just before the competition abstain from caffeine." But when it comes to practicing, Pierce says, "It’s not about time, it’s about quality. At it’s best, it really has to become mindless - your body knows what it needs to do and you do it. But, it’s real tough, it’s very, very hard to remove yourself from it because you have this anxiety … on a perfect day, the perfect shot, it’s all automatic and not controlled. You’re not making it happen, it’s happening. Your body has done it so many times it’s automatic." In competition At the NYS Championships in April, Pierce shot the top score of 291 out of a possible 300 to win her division in which there were about a dozen other female archers. In describing her victory, Pierce insists, "I want to get across that my ability is not particularly that good." Modesty aside, Pierce goes on to say, "My goal is to someday shoot a perfect 300." Geena Davis, when asked if she would ever give up acting for archery, is reported to have said, "Unfortunately, I can’t make my fortune at archery, but I like that archery is measured in points. It isn’t about anybody’s opinion. Archery is a battle with yourself, … it’s character building and really puts you in touch with yourself." The competitive, psychological and spiritually oriented aspects of archery, aside, many archers practice the bow hunting traditions of the sport. Pierce is among them. "When I first walked into Creekwood I was anti-hunter. I thought I knew. I had a mindset," she says, "I had an idea of who I thought hunters were, a character of a blood thirsty, uncaring, cruel - all that. So, for the first months it was hard for me because a lot of people who go there are into hunting. But as I met people and talked with them and they told me about their philosophy and approach to hunting, my attitude changed," she said. "Hunters are very responsible, about having the skills, to hunt ethically, with a deep appreciation, a love of the outdoors, understanding the animals, with knowledge about them and an interest in conservation," Pierce said. While she’s been unsuccessful so far, Pierce says, "I have hunted for deer, and once for turkey. I would definitely consume the meat. In a sense it’s a much more honest approach to meat eating than someone who goes to the grocery store and pretends that what’s in the package was never an animal. It should be done with reverence, like the native people who hunted for subsistence but did it with reverence." Until that day, Pierce says she has "really wonderful experiences out in the woods, seeing two bucks fighting, foxes running near you, having birds land right next to you, observing the animals without them knowing you’re there - it’s really fun." Archery - the origins The origins of archery begin in prehistoric times with spear-like arrows made by lashing flint tips with sinew to wooden shafts. (35,000-8,000 B.C.) The first known bow was discovered in 6,000 B.C. Probably almost as soon as bows and arrows were used for hunting they were put to use in war. •The Akkadians, in 2500 B. C. conquered Sumeria with infantry archers. During the Crusades of the 12th Century, both Muslim and Christians employed archers, the crusaders employing the cross bow - a French invention - for the first time. The Japanese archers were still employed right up to the start of WII. •English archers including Robin Hood were renowned for their abilities including development of the longbow. Prince Louis Napoleon once recalled "a first rate English archer, who in a single minute was able to draw and discharge his bow 12 times with a range of 240 yards, and in these twelve shots once missed his man." •Native Americans, after the introduction by the Spanish of the horse, quickly learned to adapt their skills with the bow while riding. •It wasn’t until the mid-17th Century that English archers were replaced by musketeers. •Chinese cross bow archers fought against the British in 1860 and the Japanese refined and adopted archery into the philosophy and art it is considered today. •In Zen In The Art Of Archery, author Eugen Herrigel writes, "[Archery] is a contest of the archer with himself … and it is the foundation of all contests outwardly directed." (Random House; ISBN: 0375705090, Feb. 1999. Originally published by Pantheon, 1953). •For more information on the history of archery go to: www.student.utwente.nl/campus/sagi/artikel/faq/history/shtml Archery Focus Magazine has information including tips, techniques and tournaments. Links to many clubs and associations including its own National Archery Association, www.archeryfocus.com Local resources •The Hollow Grinder, 34 Stutson St., Rochester (East on Lake Ontario Pwy to Lake Ave., go left to Stutson, 865-9725. •Kessel’s Westside Archery, 53 King St. Hamlin, 964-7810. •Creekwood Archery, 451 Lawrence Rd., Brockport, 392-2030. •For information about bow hunting in New York State go to: •Hunters Helping the Hungry is a program that encourages hunters to donate venison to those in need. Call the Conservation Council for more information at 315-894-3302 or log on to: www.nyscc.com E-mail nyscc@nyscc.com |
