Info about Fort Collins range

KentuckyWolf · October 07, 2019, 12:00:37 PM

Years ago, I lived in Colorado for a while and I would periodically visit the Fort Collins range. Lovely range, that I would have shot more if I had lived closer to it.

I am hoping someone here will have info on the range. They had targets that were made of something like compressed straw bales with burlap animal silhouettes. What were/are the targets actually? The burlap silhouettes seem likely they were homemade...if so how? Like where did they get the patterns for the silhouettes?

cacciatore · October 07, 2019, 05:38:46 PM

Are you talking about Lon Hagler between Loveland and Fort Collins?

KentuckyWolf · October 07, 2019, 07:36:19 PM

The Fort Collins Archery Association Range.

KentuckyWolf · October 07, 2019, 07:38:39 PM

It was right on the river. It is the Cashe la Poudre river....I think

lefty4 · October 07, 2019, 09:34:10 PM

The Fort Collins range used to have excelsior bales for the target backstop. The burlap targets were spray painted through cardboard cutouts creating the silhouette. I don't know who made the templates but they should be pretty simple to make.
Those excelsior bales last a long time and take a beating. If left uncovered and allowed to get wet, you will lose points from arrows shot into a frozen bale. This makes a good testing medium for insert/point glues. Don't ask me how I know. LOL

https://americanexcelsior.com/wood-fibers/applications/power-stop-archery-targets/
These bales are similar to the ones we had at the range, and may even be the same ones. They are heavy buggers, especially when wet!

They also use excelsior bales at the Lon Hagler range in Loveland, CO.

KentuckyWolf · October 07, 2019, 10:50:44 PM

Thank you. That is some of the info I was looking for. Now if only someone can tell me where those silhouettes came from.

lefty4 · October 08, 2019, 08:27:26 AM

I will see what I can find out.
I am pretty sure these were homemade by the club, but I will check with some of the other "old guys".

KentuckyWolf · October 08, 2019, 11:56:54 AM

Finding out the source of the stencile for the silhouettes or how they made the patterns would be great.

lefty4 · October 08, 2019, 02:12:29 PM

I just spoke with one of the "old guys". He believes the stencils were homemade and they purchased burlap by the roll. Club members made the targets. Supposedly, the stencils and materials were donated to another archery club in Sterling, CO a few years ago. I know nothing of that club but you may be able to locate them and get some more information.