Where to practice shooting a bow

Practice shooting your bow regularly and you’ll develop the form and muscle memory you need to shoot accurately and confidently.

Places to shoot from the backyard to the backcountry

You can practice your shooting anywhere it’s safe and outside of urban growth boundaries. It's also illegal to shoot in the direction of any person, building, structure or vehicle within the range of your bow. So be sure there's y a clear line of sight between you and the target, and a safe backstop.

Possible locations include:

  • A large backyard in a rural setting
  • Archery specific indoor and outdoor target ranges
  • Informal locations or ranges on public lands

Backyard range

If you have roomy property in a rural setting, there’s no reason you can’t practice shooting there. It helps that most turkey shots will be within 20 yards, a reasonable-size backyard. Make sure you have a decent-size target, an even larger backstop and no structures or animals behind the target.

Outdoor archery ranges

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has set up outdoor practice ranges at EE Wilson near Corvallis and Junction City Pond near Eugene.

In addition, bow and archery associations may be able to help you find nearby archery ranges. You’ll find lots of helpful information on their websites:

Indoor archery ranges

The same associations listed above may be able to steer you toward indoor ranges, as well. Indoor ranges will be particularly helpful getting ready for spring turkey season. Late winter and early spring weather can make practicing outside difficult and uncomfortable.

In addition, many archery pro shops and larger sporting goods stores have indoor ranges, and some may let you come in and practice. They also routinely hold shooting events for both kids and adults. Informal shooting events are a great way to enjoy shooting and comradery at the same time.

Shooting at a local pro shop or sporting goods store also gives you a chance to establish a relationship with an archery professional in your area – an especially good thing if you’re new to bowhunting. Pros can help you select an appropriate bow, set you up with the right arrows and other gear, and help you tune and maintain your bow.

Shooting on Oregon’s public lands

Oregon is blessed with hundreds of thousands of acres of public land, much of it accessible to hunters and archers. If you’re practicing on public land, make sure you’re shooting well off the road and into a safe backdrop.

Also, be respectful of our wild places and the other people who visit them. Haul off any targets you brought with you (or that were left by someone else) and pick up any trash in the area.

Related