Blackhawk Bowhunters History

The origin of the Blackhawk Bowhunters goes back to about 1955 when Bud Shackelford started the Blackhawk Field Archery Range at Outer Lincoln and Bell Road.

In the late 1950's or early 1960's Blackhawk moved to the Vanderburgh County 4-H Center. This did not last long and the Club became dormant.

Approximately 1962, Bud Shackelford, Charlie Martin, Jack Hungate, Bud Clark, and Jarold Held revived the Blackhawk Club. They leased land off of Yankeetown Road where we are currently located.

About 1964, the club members decided that they want to pursue ownership of the land. They purchased the land from a woman living in Florida. She wanted $10,000 and an agreement that the land would be used for archery and youth activities. Burley Scales, attorney, had the club incorporated under the name  Blackhawk Bowmen.

There were 30 members who each paid $100.00 for a share of stock. This enabled the club to aquire the down payment for purchasing the property. To pay the balance of the loan, the members held shoots, benefits and fund-raisers. They also received money by selling some of the road frontage and suing the coal company for flooding on the back of the property.

 

In 1979, the club changed from field archery targets to 2D animal targets and around 1992 had changed to all 3D animal targets. In addition, the old clubhouse became unsafe around 1986, which resulted in club members building the present clubhouse in 1987. The old clubhouse was demolished in XXXX.

 

In 1991 the club hosted the IBO World Shoot at Scales Lake in Boonville. The shoot was a success due to the marathon work effort by club members. In 1992, the stockholders notified the active members that they were going to sell the property and end the corporation of Blackhawk Bowmen.

The active members, under the leadership of President Terry Buhr, decided to buy the property and form their own corporation. Steve Sheets, attorney, had the club incorporated under the new name Blackhawk Bowhunters.

 

The property was purchased with $20,000 that was earned by hosting the IBO World shoot in 1991 and with a $35,000 interest free loan obtained by Al Rinehart. Unlike the previous corporation, no stock was issued. If the club fails, the assets will go to a pro-hunting organization. The property loan was paid off in full in 1997 by the efforts of our members hosting 3D-Shoots and Indoor Leagues.

 

Another major project was the extension of the club house in 1998. This was accomplished by many of our members under the leadership of John Johnson.

 

This brief club history underlines the fact that a considerable past and ongoing effort by numerous members enable the club to be what it is today and its members take great pride in the name “Blackhawk Bowhunters”.

The mission of the club is to advance the sport of archery and bowhunting through the promotion of sportsmanship and archery skills.