Thursday, January 17, 2019

Scholastic 3-D Archery hosts Instructor training in Albuquerque, NM

Williamsburg, KY – Scholastic 3-D Archery National Outreach Director, Chris McDonald hosted an Advanced Archery Instructor Training Course in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Albuquerque Game and Fish Office on December 27th. Upon successful completion of this instructor training, candidates earn certification as S3DA Advanced Instructors. With this certification, they are qualified to teach S3DA Basic 3-D Archery Instructor certification classes as well as teach children the skills needed to participate and compete in S3DA archery events at local, regional, state and national levels.

There were a total of 14 participants in the training and 10 of those participants were New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) employees.

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish officially opened the NEW Northwest regional office in Albuquerque on November 15th. The new complex, located at 7816 Alamo Road NW, creates a destination that provides the public a place to interact with staff and participate in educational and recreational opportunities. Director Mike Sloan and others are excited about the new facility and the opportunity this presents to expand the hunter, angler and wildlife education programs.

John Martsh, R-3 Program Manager, said, “The New Mexico Game and Fish Department had learned about S3DA directly from Jennie Richardson while at a US Fish and Wildlife meeting. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish intends to use the S3DA advanced training that staff received to introduce schools around the state to three dimensional target shooting. This is instrumental for making archers into bowhunters. The program will allow students to shoot 3-D game animals with bows they would use for hunting. We are optimistic this program can produce more young bowhunters around the state of New Mexico.” S3DA National Outreach Director, Chris McDonald stated, “It was exciting forming a partnership with the New Mexico Game and Fish Department and planning for S3DA to be launched under their leadership and guidance. I expect the program to be a huge success in recruiting young adults to the world of archery and hunting.”

More than 100 public schools across New Mexico participate in archery programs during the school day. S3DA would like to further extend the archery and bowhunting opportunities in after-school settings through archery affiliated clubs, sportsmen clubs, archery dealers, churches, fire stations, etc.

“Archery is gaining popularity as a competitive sport among New Mexico’s students, said Brian Guzman, archery coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “Our department is proud to support young archers and encourage their interest in this challenging extracurricular activity. We are pleased so many kids are eager to demonstrate their skills and sportsmanship.”

Started in December 2012 by the Scholastic Archery Association, S3DA has grown exponentially as a next step program to follow introductory programs offered as part of 4-H or the National Archery in Schools Program. S3DA addresses the need for a program to bridge beginning target archery experience and more advanced activities such as 3-D shooting and bowhunting. The program currently operates across the United States with hundreds of certified coaches serving

thousands of young archers, grades 3–12.

For more information on S3DA membership go to: WWW.S3DA.ORG or email: infos3darchery@gmail.com

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