GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska (KSNB) – There is a lot to explore at the Nebraska State Fair, and one of them is the outdoor educational exhibit operated by the Nebraska Games and Parks Commission.
Instructors teach children and adults how to use archery properly. The exhibition shows the Niobarara River Valley and the animals as a target.
Christy Christiansen, outdoor education specialist, said it’s a fun way for archers of any level to have fun. Archery lessons have been available at the State Fair since she came to Grand Island 13 years ago. There’s also a good reason to learn a hunting skill.
“This is how we manage our wildlife through hunting and we want to pass on this hunting tradition to everyone,” Christiansen said. “We also focus on those who may have stopped hunting. We try to invite them back to hunt because it’s a heritage, it’s a Nebraska tradition and we try our best to keep it alive.”
Christiansen said the money spent on archery, firearms and ammunition stays in the state of Nebraska. She said the state uses that money to restore habitat and wildlife. Christiansen said her father was a hunter and she started hunting when she was 19. She also loves archery because it’s different than shooting a firearm.
“I’ve been hunting with a bow and arrow for over 30 years and have hunted all over Nebraska with a bow and arrow. I’ve even been to Canada a few times and shot some bear, deer and turkey,” Christiansen said. “I love archery because of the challenge. It’s a little quieter than shooting a firearm. I think it’s a little less intimidating, but it takes a lot of practice.”
Christiansen said she enjoys teaching archery and that you don’t have to be athletic to be good at archery; you just need good concentration. An important tip is to always keep that in mind when archery.
“I think the most important thing is always safety, that’s always our number one priority,” Christiansen said. “But to pick up a bow for the first time, draw it and be able to hit a target, that’s the exciting part. You draw the bow and hit the target and you think, ‘Oh, I did it,’ and it’s just great to see the wide-eyed look on the kids’ faces when they do it.”
Christiansen said she is very happy when the children go home with a sense of achievement after shooting with a bow and arrow.
Archery takes place at the Nebraska State Fair Monday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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