This year, Indian Creek Bowhunters Inc., with the help of Twisted Arrow Archery and several other local sponsors, will kick off the first Ray Lewis Memorial Archery Shoot.
Registration for the archery event will begin at 6:30 a.m., Sept. 10, at the Missouri Department of Conservation archery range in Poplar Bluff. The cost to enter is $20.
This will be a 20-target 3D shoot with ASA scoring. There will be peer grouping and a shotgun start at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. with several classes available.
Proceeds from the event will go toward assisting the local high school archery teams, a fund to help local families suffering from unexpected loss and to establish the Ray Lewis Memorial.
Ray Lewis was an avid bow hunter, archery coach, IBO champion and bowmaker, according to organizers. He helped start the local 3D bowhunters club “Indian Creek.”
He was a pillar of the community by always giving to and serving others, “we would like to continue that tradition in his name,” organizers have said.
For the past 11 years, Indian Creek Bowhunters Club has hosted the St. Jude’s Archery Shoot, but this will be the first year for the Ray Lewis Memorial Archery event.
To get to the range, take Highway NN north from Business Highway 60 East, turn right on County Road 546 and go just past the Poplar Bluff Gun Club, about one mile to the range on the left.
Donations for the event have been provided by several local businesses including: Twisted Arrow LLC, Bowtech, Big Shot Targets, Montana Decoy’s, Victory Arrows, SKB, Easton Arrows, Nose Jammer and more.
Local listed sponsors for the event so far are Midwest Security, Matt Mills, Robertson Construction, State Rep. Hardy Billington, Baldwin Motors, Wilcoxon Insurance, Michele Chiropractic, Allisa Photography, Poplar Bluff Realty and Camo Dust, with more expected.
The first ever event is described as a unique buckle shoot. There will be novelty shoots on the side. There will also be a silent auction, in addition to the archery competition and local vendors in attendance. Local businesses are encouraged to take part in this event. If you own or know of a local business that is a part of the outdoors and would like to set up a vendor table or otherwise take part in this event call Indian Creek Bowhunters Club at 573-718-7135 or call Twisted Arrow at 573-785-6914.