Staff Report
A unique archery tournament series is being offered called the Florida Archery Slam sponsored in part by Ferman Chevrolet. The series benefits local charities and follows the seasonal interests of target archers and bowhunting enthusiasts with five unique events.
The first event is the Bone Fish Grill Spring Freshwater Challenge, which is an all ages freshwater only bowfishing event held on Saturday, April 26. The event will be conducted out of Adventures Archery at 2210 U.S. 301 Ste. 200 in Tampa where participants weigh in their catch.
The target species are: Nile Perch (5), Mudfish (1), Gar (only 1 of any species) and Plecostomus (up to 5). All fish must be taken with a bow and arrow, and picture and video evidence must be provided, either texted or e-mailed to the contacts provided. The winner is determined by heaviest combined weight and there is a $700 Grizzly Cooler prize for the heaviest fish in each category.
The other tournaments include a saltwater bowfishing event, a big wild boar contest, biggest alligator contest and concludes in November with a big buck contest. All events have significant cash and prize awards provided by sponsors. The winner of the series will receive an all-expense paid bowhunting trip to Africa complements of Dries Visser Safaris and Adventures Archery.
Another unique aspect to this series is on-site archery tournaments during each event for novice and pro archers. The participants are encouraged to pre-register for both events to receive discounts on entry fees and for a chance to win door prizes. The 3D archery tournament begins at 8 a.m. The 3D challenge includes a Bowtech 50 and 100 yd. challenge shot and flying disc challenge where participants can win a brand new Bowtech, Elite, Darton, Prime, PSE or Mission bow.
One participant from each bowfishing team is required to attend the Captain’s Meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 24 at Adventures Archery to receive tournament supplies, rules, and protocols. The tournament begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 25 at any legal freshwater site of the archer’s choice in Florida and concludes at 2 p.m. the following day with a weigh in from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Adventures Archery.
Awards for both events begin at 4 p.m. with door prizes given out all day every hour and the cash and prizes for the winner total more than $10,000.
Aside from the onsite tournaments and Bowfishing event, attendees will be treated to an array of activities, seminars, a fish fry and BBQ, onsite appearances from both 99.5 WQYK and more.
“The events will be a lot of fun for anyone who is an outdoor enthusiast, whether active in archery for years or just starting out,” said Dani Edelman, Event Coordinator and Archery Trainer at Adventures Archery. For more information call 664-8700 or visit AdventuresArchery.com.
