Summer 2026

PINE LAKE ARCHERS “THE FIRST 50 YEARS”

Pine Lake Archers (PLA) started in the winter of 1976. A group of six individuals started shooting in the basement of one of their homes. Later they moved to other locations – basement at the bowling alley and legion and also to the State Training School. They started to talk about forming a club on May 10, 1976. They were issued a charter from the NFAA and the Pine Lake Archers were formed. A 28-target course was laid out at the Pine Lake Wildlife Club (PLWC) to the west of the club house (Timber Range). On April 25, 1976 PLA hosted their first shoot. Cost was $3.00 per shooter and frozen turkeys

were awarded to winners of each class. Targets consisted of animals drawn on cardboard. In 1979 with financial help from the PLA, the PLWC purchased the ground east of the club house (Meadow Range). A 28-target course was laid out. Over the years, both courses have been cut back to 20 targets each. In March 1980 the original club house burned down. By the winter of 1981, the new club house was built and we had a permanent indoor range. PLA began hosting the Iowa Bowhunters Association (IBA) Fall Festival in 1977. PLA continues to

host this event each year on the first weekend in August. In 2009 the hail storm hit the course while shooters were out on the course Sunday morning. No injuries, but a lot of damage to the trees. We hope to never experience that again. PLA continues to hold club shoots during the year. We have a “Chilly” Shoot in March – each registered shooter gets a free bowl of chili; July we have “The Warm-up” Shoot; and then we host the “IBA Fall Festival” in August. During the Winter, we have an indoor league and during the Spring/Summer, we have an outdoor league.

www.iowabowhunters.org

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