Bows and arrows at the Senior Games

It’s a competitive sport many people try in high school physical education class or at the county fair, but according to Buffey Autry, archery draws you in and becomes part of who you are.

Autry competes in archery at the Dona Ana Senior Olympics, but her love of the sport began before it became about the Games. She first picked up a bow when she and her husband were living in Hawaii and had a young family.

Autry is from Washington and her husband is from Colorado. His military career has taken them to various locales, one of them being that stop in Hawaii. They moved to New Mexico in 2015 when he retired after 25 years of active duty, and he now works at White Sands.

Horseback riding, shooting sports, hunting and fishing were in Autry’s wheelhouse during her youth. Archery was a natural extension.

“We had a really nice outdoor range in Hawaii,” Autry said. “It was just shooting the bow at first, just shooting at a target. Then, once we got better at it, we started hunting with the bow.”

Competition archery followed, with traditional target shooting and other types of events. She is currently president of a group that promotes the fun and community of archery—the Organ Mountain Bowmen. They organize a 3D shoot every month.

“It’s shooting at foam animals, deer and other animals with markings where the vitals would be and that’s where you shoot,” she said. “Points depend on what part of the animal you shoot at. Sometimes there are awards like a belt buckle or occasionally a money prize.”

On a recent weekend, the group gathered with 117 shooters to enjoy the sport they love.

Autry says that with the small, yet growing number of people taking up archery, it’s a great place for beginners to join in. She says even those new to the sport can compete at the Dona Ana Senior Olympics.

“They would feel more intimidated going to a competition, but there are other people who are beginners too,” Autry said. “Archery is what you make it to be. You’re going to be practicing and getting better and better, and you just build your skill by practicing. People say they don't want to go to a 3D shoot because they feel like they're not at that level, but they really are because they just go up there and just shoot where they feel comfortable.”

For someone interested in giving archery a try, Autry has a simple piece of advice.

“Show up.”

The 3D shoot is set up on a walking course with about 20 stationary targets. The trail is well marked so newcomers don’t get lost, and participants are tasked with finding them all and firing at them with the bow.

The one requirement is that each person needs their own bow. A retail outlet like High Desert Outfitters in Las Cruces is a critical partner in that, according to Autry. A bow is fitted to its user and when you decide to pursue the sport, you’ll want to use your own.

“The first thing is you have to know your jawline and they’ll measure you,” Autry said. “And, if you're left eye or right eye dominant because that determines how you hold the bow. I'm right-handed, but I'm left-eye dominant.

“You can't pick up somebody else's bow. It’s an individual thing so you really need someone who knows what they're doing to help fit you.”

Autry says that while there is certainly a physical aspect to archery, the competition is mostly about her mental makeup.

“I think it's probably 75% mental, the focus,” Autry said. “If you're thinking of other things you're not thinking about your shot. I love it.”

The Senior Olympics uses the American Round format. Competitors shoot five sets of six arrows at each of three distances—40, 50 and 60 yards. Points are awarded based on the proximity of the arrow to the center of the target, but it’s all about hitting the bullseye.

Archers cheer for each other, and that’s the best thing about the Senior Games. It’s not that Autry isn’t competitive, but she mostly enjoys the camaraderie and the chance to push herself.

“It’s just fun being able to challenge yourself,” she said. “You're at your own level. I love the competition and I love the sport of it.”

One of Autry’s objectives as she promotes archery is to introduce more women to the sport. At this point, it’s still more of a male-dominated activity. Autry encourages people to make archery a family activity.

“My husband and I, we do it together,” she said. “It's so much fun to be able to do it together and my daughters also. They grew up doing it with us.”