Hidden back on 75 acres of land on Sperry Road is the home of the Geauga Bowmen, the sport club founded in 1953 for archery enthusiasts.
The miles of course that wind around this Chesterland forest, which is leased by the group, are not just home to hay bails and circular targets. Bowmen aim for black bears, antelope, crocodiles and turkeys, placed among the valleys, creeks and rolling trails — a regular Sherwood forest for would-be Robin Hoods.
Mike Ballash of Burton is the club’s president, a job he has held multiple times for many years. He started shooting at 8 years old when his dad bought him his first recurve bow.
“We are a family-oriented club that caters to bow hunters, professional archers, boy scouts and youth groups,” said Ballash, standing at the first of 40 different spots where archers can take aim. There are four courses with 10 targets each.
Archery is like golf except archers want to score the most points by hitting animals in as close to vital areas, ethical kill-spots, as possible.
Deer hunters use the course to prepare for bow season, and the club has a Deer Shoot & Corn Roast on Sept. 10 and 11.
Ballash has been trying to grow the club and get the word out. Occasionally, archery becomes popular because of the movie “The Hunger Games” and television shows like “Game of Thrones.” The club draws between 75 and 100 members per year, most from Lake and Geauga Counties.
The Bojtushs of Eastlake were out one Saturday morning, led by John Gadus, one of the club’s most long-term members who got involved in the 1970s. He had brought his son-in-law Bill and granddaughters Rachel, 11, and Ashley, 15. The family goes out at least once a year.
Keith Rogers of Ashtabula and Paul Meyer of Cleveland Heights joined the group. Rogers was considering joining the club. He hit the crocodile target right in the heart on his first pull.
“I’ve been thinking of joining a long time,” Rogers said as Ballash gave him the pitch.
The club sponsors its African Safari Shoot on Aug. 13 and 14 — its most popular shoot of the season, which features full-sized giraffe, elephant and water buffalo targets.
Family memberships are $100 and single memberships are $75. Equipment rental is available for those without equipment. Some members don’t actually shoot archery but like to walk their dogs along the beautiful trails, Ballash said.
Anyone interested in getting involved can try it for no cost.