Inks Lake State Park will host an Explore Bowhunting event in Burnet for the fourth time, according to a Sept. 30 news release from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The event, brought to the public by the TPWD Community Archery program, runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 10 at the park, the agency said. TPWD is partnering with the Texas Game Wardens, Operation Game Thief, the Texas Youth Hunt Program, Hunter’s Ed, the Outdoor Tomorrow Foundation, the Archery Trade Association and other local partners.
Participants will learn about bowhunting and how to prepare to use archery equipment during hunting season, according to the release. The agency said the event will focus on necessary gear, proper concealment, anatomy and shot placement to improve accuracy and reduce recovery time and the processing of an animal after a successful hunt.
“We are excited to partner with Inks Lake State Park for another year, to bring the public this one-of-a-kind archery event,” said Adam Lewis, TPWD community archery specialist. “Whether you are a seasoned archer, beginner or just starting to gain interest in the sport of archery and bowhunting, this is a great event to hone your skills, further your knowledge and understand what it takes to be a successful bowhunter.”
The event is free, but participants must check in with park headquarters first and buy a day pass to the park, according to TPWD. Park staff can provide directions to the event location. Equipment is provided, so participants do not need to bring their own archery gear, and anyone shooting on the archery range must be at least four feet tall.
Activities include an archery trailer with interactive games and a range for adaptive archers, an introductory range with 3D targets focused on anatomy and shot placement, an animal processing demonstration, cooking conversations, gear examples and hunting simulation activities for youth, the release said. Staff will also be available to answer questions about public hunting and regulations.
The TPWD Community Archery Program works on a “train the trainer” model, the agency said, training teachers and leaders through a National Archery in the Schools Program curriculum in range setup, safety, program design and coaching. Community archery specialists offer Explore Bowhunting and Explore Bowfishing programming to introduce those skills to new audiences.
Information on contacting a community archery specialist is available on the Community Archery Program page of the TPWD website, according to the release.