National Archery in the Schools Program Improves students’ confidence, focus, motivation and behavior

National Archery in the Schools Program

The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) teaches international-style target archery in physical education classes for grades four through twelve.

The program fits easily into the school day, usually as a two-week PE course. The course covers archery history, safety, technique, equipment, concentration, core strengthening, physical fitness and self-improvement. Before presenting the archery course to students, teachers undergo a rigorous eight-hour NASP training program.


Widespread academic and interpersonal benefits
The results of a recent study* showed that NASP participation helped students, even outside of their physical education (PE) classes:

*84 percent of instructors agreed that archery improved students’ self-confidence.
*78 percent of instructors agreed that archery improved students’ motivation.
*74 percent of instructors agreed that archery improved students’ behavior.
*64 percent of students stated that the program has helped them to pay more attention and improve their   focus in a variety of learning situations.

Overall, 83 percent of students enjoyed the opportunity to learn archery in their schools, and 78 percent rated their archery skills as either good or very good after completing the course.


Program growth and success in Utah
Utah recently became the thirty-second state to participate in NASP, and the program is gaining momentum. As of May 2010, Utah has seven schools trained and participating in NASP. The Utah Bowhunter’s Association has several members trained in the program. They are willing to assist the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) in training teachers.

This program offers students lifelong skills and provides many additional benefits. The DWR is working to introduce NASP in other schools across the state. By partnering with sportsmen’s groups and other conservation organizations, the DWR hopes to minimize or eliminate the cost of equipment and instruction.


Helpful information
Contact the Utah NASP representative
----RaLynne Takeda Email: ralynnetakeda@utah.gov Phone: 801-538-4753

Download course curriculum
--Grades four and five PDF 1.0 MB

--Grades six through eight PDF 1.0 MB
--Grades nine through twelve PDF 1.0 MB
Archery in the Schools—National Website

* Responsive Management conducted the study in consultation with Hilarie Davis, Ed.D., of the Technology for Learning Consortium.

Tips for a Safe Archery Hunt

If you’re an archery hunter, you can stay safe during this year’s archery hunts by following a few, simple rules.

Utah’s general archery buck deer and elk hunts kick off Aug. 21.

“Every year, we receive reports of archery hunters injuring themselves,” says Gary Cook, hunter education coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

Two practices lead to most of the accidents: not being safe in tree stands or having arrows out of your quiver when you shouldn’t.

Cook provides the following advice to help you avoid these accidents:

1) Tree stands - before you climb a tree, make sure it’s large enough to hold your weight.

To lessen the chance that you’ll fall while climbing the tree, leave your bow, arrows and other equipment on the ground, and attach a hauling line to them. After you’ve climbed into your tree stand, attach your safety harness. Then use your hauling line to lift your gear to you.

Cook also recommends using a portable tree stand, rather than building a “permanent” one. “Permanent tree stands can deteriorate and become unsafe,” he says. “Also, they don’t look good. And you can damage the tree by hammering nails into it.”

2) “Until you’re ready to shoot, keep your arrows in a quiver that has a hood on it that covers the broadheads,” Cook says. “One of the most common accidents we see is archers jabbing themselves or other hunters while carrying arrows in their hand that should be in their quiver.”

State law requires that arrows be in a case while the arrows are in or on a vehicle. When you’re outside your vehicle, it’s up to you to protect yourself.

More tips
In addition to the safety tips, Cook provides tips on getting prepared for the season, safety items to remember while you’re in the field and tips on tracking animals and preserving their meat.


1) Preparation -
a. equipment checks - make sure the laminations on your bow are not flaking or separating and that the strings on your bow are not fraying. And if you have a compound bow, make sure the pulleys and cables are in good shape. Also, make sure your arrow’s spline (the stiffness of the arrow’s shaft) matches your bow’s draw weight. If your bow’s draw weight produces more force than your arrow can handle, your arrow will probably fly off target when you shoot.

b. broadhead sharpening – when you sharpen your broadheads, be careful and take your time. Your broadheads should be razor sharp, but make sure you don’t cut yourself while sharpening them.

c. practice shooting as much as possible.

d. obtain written permission from private landowners before hunting on their property or using their property to access public land.

e. know the boundaries of limited entry units and other restricted areas in the area you’ll be hunting.


2) Never take a shot at a deer or an elk that is beyond the maximum, effective range you’re comfortable shooting at. Also, before releasing your arrow, make sure of your target and what’s beyond it.


3) After the shot -
a. watch the animal and determine the direction it took. Then go to the spot where you last saw the animal and find your arrow. If there’s blood on it, and if you have a compass, take a reading of the direction the animal went. Then wait 30 minutes before tracking it. If you track the animal too soon, you can spook it into running. If you wait 30 minutes before tracking it, you’ll find most of the deer and elk you shoot dead within a reasonable distance of your starting point.


b. when you track an animal, look for blood not only on the ground but on the brush too. If you begin to lose the animal’s trail, tie a piece of biodegradable paper near the last blood spot. Then search for the animal’s trail by walking a circular pattern out from the paper. The paper will serve as a marker that will let you know where you started.

Also, tying paper at the locations of the last three or four spots you see, and then standing away from the paper and looking at the paper trail, can help you visualize the direction the animal took.


c. once you’ve found the animal, check to see if its eyes are open. If they’re not, the animal probably isn’t dead. If its eyes are open, touch one of the eyes with a long stick. That will keep you out of harm’s way if the animal is still alive. Once the animal is dead, field dress and cool its meat immediately. It’s usually warm during the archery hunt. The warm temperatures can cause the meat to spoil quickly.


Cook also provides tips for reducing conflicts with homeowners and those who don’t hunt:

1) Find access points to your hunting area well in advance of the season.

2) If access requires crossing private land, you must obtain written permission from the landowner. If you can’t obtain written permission, find another access point.

3) Before you start hunting, make sure you’re well beyond the minimum distances you must maintain from roads and dwellings. If you’re going to hunt in Salt Lake County, please remember that the county’s hunting restrictions are more restrictive than the rest of Utah. Read the 2010 Big Game Guidebook closely for more information.

4) Avoid hunting in areas that a lot of people use. Also, whenever possible, avoid hunting near heavily used trails.

“Most of the people in Utah choose not to hunt. But they support hunting as long as hunters are legal, safe and ethical,” Cook says. “When hunters don’t behave that way, how people feel about hunting can take a turn for the worse.”


Extended archery areas
If you want to hunt the Wasatch Front, Ogden, Unitah Basin or Sanpete Valley extended archery areas, please remember the following:

1) Before hunting any of these areas, you must complete the DWR’s Extended Archery Orientation Course. The free course is available online at wildlife.utah.gov/huntereducation.

2) While hunting in an extended archery area, you must carry two items with you: your 2010 statewide general archery buck deer permit and your Extended Archery Orientation Course certificate. If you’re a member of the Dedicated Hunter program, you must also carry your Dedicated Hunter certificate of registration.

For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR’s Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.

Four Free Shooting Clinics offered on June 19

Salt Lake City -- Does learning how to shoot a shotgun at a target that’s sailing through the air sound like fun?


How about learning how to shoot a bow and arrow, or maybe even a muzzleloader?

Have you always wanted to shoot on a shooting range, but you haven’t because you’re not sure what the rules are?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may want to attend one of the free clinics the Division of Wildlife Resources is offering on June 19.

The clinics will be held at the same time—from 9 a.m. until noon—so you’ll need to choose which clinic you want to attend. And you’ll want to register soon. Each clinic is limited to the first 20 people who register for it.

You can register by contacting RaLynne Takeda at (801) 538-4753 or ralynnetakeda@utah.gov .

The DWR will hold the free clinics at its Lee Kay Public Shooting Range in Salt Lake City. The range is at 6000 W. 2100 S.

DWR instructors will provide all the equipment you’ll need. But if you have your own equipment, please bring it.


What you’ll learn
Depending on which clinic you attend, you’ll learn and do the following:


Shotgun
You’ll learn basic shotgun shooting techniques. Then you’ll get a chance to shoot at plenty of flying clay targets on the shotgun shooting range!


Muzzleloader
You’ll learn about different types of muzzleloaders. Then you’ll have a chance to shoot at targets with them.


Archery
You’ll learn about various bows, arrows and the latest archery equipment. Then you’ll shoot arrows at a variety of targets.


Learn about shooting ranges
You’ll learn basic firearm safety, including how to identify and unload various types of firearms. You’ll also learn how shooting ranges operate and basic procedures you need to follow. Then you’ll get a chance to shoot on the range!

For more information, contact Takeda at (801) 538-4753 or ralynnetakeda@utah.gov .

Free Shooting Instruction offered on May 22

Salt Lake City -- Have you ever wondered what it would be like to shoot a bow and arrow? How about a .22-caliber rifle or a shotgun?

You can find out on May 22 at the Lee Kay Public Shooting Range. With the exception of the facility’s shotgun range, all of its shooting ranges will be open for free from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. that day.

And, if you want to shoot on the shotgun range, you can for a reduced price.

If you don’t have any equipment or don’t know much about shooting, no problem. The Division of Wildlife Resources has equipment you can borrow from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. that day. Free shooting instruction will also be provided.

Experienced shooters are also invited to come to the range on May 22 and shoot for free from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The Lee Kay Public Shooting Range is at 6000 W. 2100 S. in Salt Lake City.

“Beginning and advanced shooters are welcome,” says Ralynne Takeda, shooting sports coordinator for the DWR. “Equipment and instruction will be available for those who would like to try archery, shotguns and .22-caliber rifles for the first time.

“Plan on joining us for a fun day at the shooting range.”

Volunteers needed
If you enjoy the shooting sports and would like to help others enjoy them too, you’re invited to join Lee Kay’s volunteer force.

The range is looking for volunteers to help with its daily operations. Volunteers are needed to serve as safety officers on the facility’s firing ranges, to help at the front counter and to maintain both the rifle and shotgun ranges.

If you’d like to volunteer, call Herm Rackl at (801) 972-1326.