Archery, Clay Target, and Shooting Ranges
ByArchery Country by Randy Rowley
Those who love bows would benefit from checking out Archery Country. They are located in central Austin (8121 Research Blvd, 512-452-1222). They have been in business since 1989. Archery Country includes a store, full-service pro shop, and 20-yard indoor range.
The store offers a wide selection of Mathews, Bowtech, Hoyt, PSE, and Archery Research bows which you’re invited to try out on their indoor range. They have a wide selection of carbon and aluminum arrows, for hunters and 3-D shooters alike, and are glad to cut them to fit your particular bow. They carry every imaginable accessory – from the latest fall away rest to the coolest sights.
Shooting leagues are held weekly including a traditional shoot, a target league, and a hunters’ league. Junior Olympic Archery Development classes are hosted each Sunday by two certified Olympic coaches.
Their hours are Tuesdays – Fridays, 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM, and Saturdays, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. They’re closed on Mondays. For more information see their website, call them at (512) 452-1222, or e-mail them.
Be aware that their service department is pricy. For example, I needed a new string for my bow. Archery Country didn’t have what I needed so they sent me to Sportsmen’s Warehouse. Archery Country would have charged me $15 to put the new string on plus an additional $10 to put my peep sight on the string. Sportsmen’s Warehouse didn’t charge me to put the string and my peep sight on.
Austin Rifle Club by Randy Slagle
Those who shoot at ranges more than four times a year would benefit from joining the Austin Rifle Club. The Club is located in Manor. The membership fee entitles the shooter to unlimited days of shooting.
The range has 25, 50, 100, 200, and 300-yard targets. There is also a plinking (.22 range) and a clay target thrower. They have no skeet, trap, or sporting clays ranges. The club sponsors competitive shoots and hunters safety courses. For more information e-mail them.
Capitol City Clays by Randy Rowley
I highly recommend Capital City Clays. FCS has held clay target shoots there since 3/20/93 and, for the past several years, our experiences have been positive.
For sporting clays, Capital City has automatic throwers with counters. They have red (hunter/corporate), blue (intermediate), and white (hard) courses. They also have two 5-stand fields, five skeet fields, two trap fields, a double trap field, and a wobble trap field. They can set a skeet field for international skeet (about two times faster than regular skeet).
An adult individual membership is $225/year. A family membership is $250/year. Capitol City is located just minutes from the IH35 & Hwy 290 intersection on the banks of Walter E. Long Lake (8707 Lindell Lane). For more information contact them at 512-272-4707 or cctsc@texas.net.
Eagle Peak Shooting Range by Randy Rowley
I highly recommend Eagle Peak Shooting Range. Eagle Peak is located off of FM 1431 near Jonestown on 20026 Lindeman Lane. They charge $15.00 for a lifetime range card. Their range fee is $15.00, no matter how many rifles, shotguns, and/or handguns you shoot.
They have a 50, 100, 200, and 300-yard rifle range and a 7, 15, and 25-yard handgun range with brass catchers. Rental guns are available. The ranges are also lighted. Their benches are on concrete, are carpeted, and have good sandbag rests.
They also have a shotgun range with four commercial spring-loaded clay target throwers. The shotgun range is included in your range fee. Bring your own clay targets (or you can buy them there for considerable more cost). They also have a shotgun patterning range (bring your own cardboard boxes).
They offer learn-to-shoot classes. They are open from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM every day, 365 days a year. They only take cash or checks (no credit cards). For more information call them at 512-267-1400.
