Sometime this summer, Tahlequah, Okla. will become home to one of the few archery ranges in the state, thanks to the Cherokee Nation and Archery Trade Association.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2269872.jpg> During a groundbreaking ceremony on Apr. 20, Joe Thornton, age 99 and world archery champion in 1961, was honored by Bill John Baker, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, as the namesake of the new archery range to be constructed this summer.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Apr. 20 on the facility, near the golf course entrance to the Sequoyah High School campus. The range will be named for world archery champion Joe Thornton, now age 99.

"The Cherokee people have had a long storied history with archery," said Principal Chief Bill John Baker. "No modern day Cherokee is more famous an archer than Joe Thornton. I don't ever remember not knowing him, and he has always been a teacher. With archery making a comeback and young people learning to shoot, we decided to put in a range for cornstalk and target shooters. When they asked what it should be called, there was no other choice but Joe Thornton Archery Range."

Thornton was in attendance with his wife Helen, herself a gold medalist with U.S. women's archery teams during the 1960s. Joe Thornton said he was happy to see an archery range being established by the Nation.

"Maybe some other archers can come along and become world champions," Thornton said. "I believe it is a possibility."

Funding of $50,000 to construct the range is being provided through the Archery Trade Association (ATA). The Cherokee Nation has granted use of the land.

Colin Berg, information and education supervisor at the Jenks office of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, also addressed the gathering.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2269874.jpg> Bill John Baker, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, discusses the plans for the Joe Thornton archery Range with Taylor Alsenay, director of facilities management.

"The ATA is made up of all the manufacturers across the United States," Berg said. "They help states get community archery parks started - that's one of their projects. Our agency follows their money with funding for equipment kits for the National Archery in the Schools program, the Explore Bowhunting program, Fishing in Schools, Explore Bowfishing, and hunter education."

Berg said several schools in and around Tahlequah had archery clubs or activities, and that the new range would give archers a place to hone their skills, and could lead to archery activities at Sequoyah High School. The range will permit shooting at ranges up to 70 meters, and will include 3D targets.

"One of the features will be a tower stand," he said. "A lot of people like to hunt off the ground in blinds or stands. They will have a place to practice."

Most archery parks in the U.S. are in major metropolitan areas. Berg said the park in Tahlequah would be Oklahoma's third - after Coweta and McAlester.

During spring break, the Cherokee Nation offered an archery camp, which set up indoor and outdoor ad-hoc ranges.

"I thank Joe for being such a great example to archery," said Brian Jackson, who organized the camp and served as an instructor. "I appreciate working with the Cherokee Nation to see this through. There will also be use of traditional bows, so it will help preserve tradition as well."

Cherokee Nation officials expect the range to open sometime during the summer. Baker said it would be "functional for the [Cherokee National] Holiday," which coincides with Labor Day weekend.

- Appearing in The Archery Wire with permission of the Tahlequah Daily Press. Article and photos by Sean Rowley.