Hunter Harrison doesn't normally spend a great deal of time shooting targets with his bow and arrows. But he certainly did last Saturday.
"It's fun," confessed the 5-year-old Harrison, son of Mr. and Mrs. Blake Harrison of Thomson.
He was just one of the dozens of youngsters who attended a free bowhunter youth event at Sweetwater Park near Thomson last Saturday. Youngsters weren't the only ones who participated. A lot of adults did, too.
The event was sponsored by the Traditional Bowhunters of Georgia in conjunction with the McDuffie Recreation and Leisure Services.
"He's really into it today," said Mr. Harrison of his son's hours of shooting targets with a traditional bow. "It's great to see him having so much fun."
Mr. Harrison, who has been involved in the sport for several years, said he brought Hunter out to the event at 10 a.m. "and we're still here at almost 2 p.m."
Matt Schuster, of Warrenton, who is a member of the Traditional Bowhunters of Georgia, worked closely with Hunter, as he took aim at some of the targets on the front lawn outside the gym and recreation offices.
"He's a quick learner," said Mr. Schuster.
Another father and son attended the event from nearby Washington, Ga. They were Donald Hulin and his 16-year-old son, Byron.
"I like shooting the targets," said Byron, who wants to get into the sport of bowhunting. "This is a lot of fun."Billy Hudson, of Elberton, Ga., a member of the Traditional Bowhunters of Georgia, pointed out that Byron took to hitting the targets pretty quickly.
"He's got a lot of raw talent right now," said Mr. Hudson, who makes bows with a business partner, Jeff Algood, in Elbert County. "He could be very good at this sport if he'd stay with it. I hope he does."
Melvin Edwards, one of the organizers of last Saturday's youth event and a member of the Traditional Bowhunters of Georgia, said he was pleased with the turnout.
"This was a fun event for the kids and the adults who came out," said Mr. Edwards. "We're hoping we can do another youth event here in the future.
McDuffie Recreation and Leisure Services Director Bob Howard said he thought that everyone who attended the event enjoyed themselves.
"I thought it was great," said Mr. Howard. "I'd like to see us have more of these type events."
PHOTO:
1) archery -- cutline: Matt Schuster, a member of the Traditional Bowhunters of Georgia, helps Hunter Harrison.
