The only discovered proof of archery's origin comes from the stone shelters of Spain where paintings of archers date back to the Mesolithic Period of some 10,000 years ago.
Evidence of archers (from the Latin "arcarius") is prominent throughout the Old Testament and was the chief means of hunting and battle until the development of gunpowder. It was refined to a high degree in Asia and had much to do with the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. The first use of gunpowder to fire a hand-held weapon was 1326 — to propel an arrow.
Made famous by the English in war and in legend, the longbow came to America and replaced the weak Indian bows found here by archery devotees. It remained the favorite for the then primarily target sport which was furthered by the inception of the National Archery Association at Crawfordsville, Indiana on January 23, 1879. The National Field Archery Association was founded in 1939. Oldest of any US archery organizations still is existence today is the United Bowmen of Philadelphia, formed on September 3, 1828.
Undoubtedly one of the biggest advances in the last two decades has been the development of the compound bow. Wilbur Allen, a Missouri bowhunter, is credited with its invention and holds the patent for the compound bow that he built in 1966.
Rend Lake Sporting Goods has an indoor archery range. The hours of operation are as follows:
The range is open to the public and the charges are as follows:
We have paper targets of all styles and sizes. We also have free-standing deer targets.
NEW IN 2005: In addition to the regular archery range, we now have a video range. Hours are the same as above. Stop in and see the new video range!
