Archery Range Hits The Bullseye For Howell Recreation Goals

HOWELL, NJ — "Get out and enjoy Howell." That's the thinking behind the newest recreation site in the township - the public archery range at the end of Bass Place.

The range opened June 3 and came about from a partnership between Howell and the United Bowhunters of New Jersey.

Howell's Department of Public works cleared the site, paid for the wood chips to cover the ground and has provided directional signage, says Paul Novello, the head of the Department of Public Works.

The bowhunters group installed the targets and the bases for them so they stay in place.

The beauty of the archery range is that it's self-directed, Novello said. If you want to use it, bring your own archery equipment and take it from there.

The range is open from dawn to dusk. There is no need to sign up for a specific time or to register.

Just enjoy the ages-old art of archery.

According to the World Archery federation, archery initially "emerged as a technique for hunting and then later for warfare." The earliest evidence of archery – arrowheads made of flint – dates back to around 20,000 BC. As guns and gunpowder came on the scene, archery became obsolete in warfare and quickly developed into a sport. Archery is both an Olympic and Paralympic sport, the federation notes.

In New Jersey, the tradition is fostered by the United Bowhunters of New Jersey, based in Spotswood.

The organization began in 1974, is nonprofit and works to protect bow hunting and expand bowhunting opportunities in the state. It also promotes "fair chase" hunting and sound wildlife conservation practices to protect natural renewable resources, its website says.

And a contingent of members came out June 3 to inaugurate the new range in Howell and to encourage residents to make use of the archery range.

Novello says the sport could really boom in the area.

He envisions the creation of leagues, for example, and he said an archery business might move into town to support the interest in the sport.

"This could really take off - this could be a great spot for a tournament," Novello said.

And the range is a good size to support a lot of interest, he noted.

There are about eight targets, one for 10 yards, two for 20 yards, two for 30 yards, one for 40 yards, one for 50 yards and one for 60 yards. The length of the area is 100 yards - football field size - so there is lots of room.

Novello said there is bow and arrow shooting and crossbow shooting (using what is called a bolt) and longbow shooting at the site.

The internet offers lots of information about how the bows are constructed and what works best for a person's individual strength and goals for shooting.

For example, Novello said compound bows are popular because they use a series of cables and pullies that make it easier to retract the bow and can offer better accuracy.

Look at the Field & Stream site and you'll see lots of detail on longbow versus the recurved bow, both of which are more traditional. The longbow is quieter, but slower, for example.

Novello says archery is one of many options for what he called "passive recreation" in the township - not that there isn't a lot of action in the sport.

In area, Howell is the largest town in Monmouth County at 62 square miles. There is lots of open space for hiking, lakes for fishing, and other ways to enjoy passive recreation, Novello said.

He said Township Manager Joe Clark is a big supporter of expanding recreation in the township and helped develop the two cricket fields that Howell now has. In fact, last fall the New Jersey Soft Ball Cricket League played its first matches on one of the fields.

But whatever your sport of choice, Novello said, "Just get out and enjoy Howell."