NR-S archery program awarded NDWF grant

The archery program at New Rockford-Sheyenne School recently got a boost in funds with help from the Eddy County Rod & Gun Club.

President Scott Severs and Director Gene Masse of the Eddy County Rod & Gun Club presented a check for $1,650 to coach Jamie Risovi, Superintendent Jill Louters, and several archery students on Friday, Feb. 9.

The funds will be used to purchase a set of 3D targets, which allow students to practice on life-size animal replicas, and other equipment needed for the program. Risovi and Louters said the ultimate goal is to have enough targets, nets and other equipment needed to host a tournament here in New Rockford.

The North Dakota Wildlife Federation is the granting agency. The organization holds a Big Spenders Raffle fundraiser each year, which brings in about $15,000, and then uses the funds to make grants to North Dakota schools with archery programs. The school is the applicant, and the local sportsman's club is the sponsor. Schools must be affiliated with a sportsman's club to be eligible.

Now in its second year at NR-S, the program has 57 participants in grades 4-12 attending more than a half dozen tournaments on weekends in February and March. The season culminates with the North Dakota State Bullseye and 3D Archery Tournament in Minot on March 23-24.

The Eddy County Rod & Gun Club is dedicated to providing and encouraging outdoor activities among portsmen and families. The organization and its member volunteers have raised enough funds to open a new gun range east of New Rockford on Hwy. 15, which will be open to the public at designated times beginning this spring.

The club is also hosting its annual Sportsmen's Memorial Ice Fishing Tournament on Lake Coe, 19 miles east and one mile north of New Rockford, this coming Saturday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and the cost is $20 per person.

Anyone interested in supporting the club can become a member; all members will have unlimited access to the gun range. To find out more about the club, contact Severs or Masse, or find the group page on Facebook, Eddy County Rod & Gun Club.