Archers Take Aim at Wasting Arrows Indoor Range

STORY & PHOTOS BY ERIC CACHINERO

There's something about archery that evokes an almost primal sense in people. It is astonishing that an art, which is tens of thousands of years old, has evolved so much technologically, yet has essentially remained the same. From the days when bows and arrows were fashioned and fletched from wood, sinew, and feathers to a modern system capable of extreme accuracy and precision, archery has been—and will continue to be—a respected sport for many years.

Wasting Arrows—the only indoor archery range in the Reno/Sparks area—allows archers of all skill levels to experience the draw of archery for themselves. After hearing various friends and colleagues buzz about the facility, I'm elated that I finally get to visit Wasting Arrows to experience what all the hype is about.

Having shot a bow only a few times in my life, I'm eager to learn more about the sport. After Deana and Lystra Pitts—the very knowledgeable owners of Wasting Arrows—give me the rundown on safety information and archery basics, I'm ready to shoot. Though certainly not a dead-eye, I fling a few arrows down my lane, which luckily, stick into the target.

The facility caters to a large number of people, offering 22 archery lanes; private and group lessons; equipment rental and purchase; and league and tournament shooting. Wasting Arrows also accommodates birthday parties, special events, and holiday-themed events. "For Halloween, we had people in costume shooting at zombie targets," Lystra says. "And for Christmas, we're going to do a Christmas ornament shoot." He adds that they're planning a special Thanksgiving "turkey shoot," with a frozen turkey as the grand prize, a chicken as second, and a Cornish game hen as the third place prize.

Deana and Lystra are USA Archery, National Field Archery Association, and National Archery in the Schools Program certified instructors, and their skillful teaching methods show on the facilities' "Robin Hood wall." The wall acts as a display for visitors who shot two arrows with such precision that one arrow is shot directly into the shaft of another arrow.

Although I leave without achieving any "Robin Hood" shots, I walk away very happy with my visit, and much more knowledgeable about archery.

Wasting Arrows is open to the public daily from noon to 5 p.m. on Mondays, noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Hourly rates start at $12, with equipment rentals at $5.

PLAN YOUR TRIP
Wasting Arrows
8975 Double Diamond Parkway
Reno, NV 89521
wastingarrows.com, 775-240-8749