The Battle Mountain Archery Club is taking a shot to expand membership by leasing a plot of land from the county. The club, which reformed in February 2012, has more than doubled from 12 members in the first year to over 30 members now, said Angela Alexander, the group's advertising director.
Lander County commissioners have discussed the club leasing the land, which is located next to the motocross complex. The parcel has recently been surveyed and contains an old building with a fenced yard.
The group is now awaiting the results of the survey which will be given to the assessor. Members then have to come before commissioners again to get an okay finalized, Alexander explained. After that, the district attorney will draft a contract.
"It's a really great opportunity for future growth," Alexander said. "We're hoping to see more members out of it."
She said the club wants to use the building as a clubhouse and an indoor shooting range. She said she hopes to see the building be expanded eventually but that is in the distant future.
Having the structure could allow for winter leagues, she added. The group holds fun shoots and meetings from spring through August and then takes a break for hunting season and winter.
Alexander wants to see the lease in place by June so club members can start cleaning up the weeds and getting the building ready.
People do not have to be a member of the club to take part in the fun shoots but the fee is a few dollars extra.
Those of any age can shoot. Kids 12 and under are asked to have an adult present but anyone over the age of 12 can shoot alone. The group has around two shoots per month at varying locations.
As the group expands, Alexander said the goal is to hold sanctioned competitions.
Members use their own equipment but targets are provided. Targets cost between $150 and $3,000, Alexander said.
The archery club is run by four officers and four directors. It existed in the early 2000s and then disbanded as people moved away. It got back up and going in February 2012 with renewed interest and momentum. Alexander has been a member since it restarted and her husband Wayne "Moe" Alexander, the group's president, was a member of the original group.
The club is working on getting its nonprofit status. Members meet the second Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. in the commission chambers inside the Lander County Courthouse. The public is welcome.
Some of the club members are from Elko and Winnemucca. There is a lot of interest from Winnemucca because there is no archery club there, Angela Alexander said.
The fees to join are $35 per year for adults, $45 per year for couples, $55 per year for families and $25 a year for youth and teens.
Each summer, the group raffles off two Yeti coolers, valued at around $475 each. Tickets are on sale now for $4 each or six for $20.
Anyone who would like to purchase a ticket or join the club can contact Moe Alexander at (775) 635-9129. Also, to purchase raffle tickets, Shawn Schroeder can be reached at (775) 340-5559.
The first drawing will be held July 4 and the second drawing will be held in October.
Last year, the raffles raised around $2,000 and Angela Alexander said she is hoping to beat that amount this year. The money raised goes toward purchasing targets, advertising and club events.
"The support of our community and the surrounding areas is greatly appreciated," Angela Alexander said.
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