By Kelly Legg
With the popularity of the film and book series The Hunger Games, the sport of archery is skyrocketing.
The Ferman Chevrolet Florida Archery Slam has seen more than 300 participants and the events are continuing to grow. The latest tournament, the Red Hot Saltwater Slam, was the most successful event to date. With more than 35 participants in the saltwater bowfishing challenge, 100 participants in the archery festival/3D archery tournament and including volunteers, family members and spectators, there were more than 400 people involved throughout the day.
According to Danielle Edelmann, public outreach coordinator for Adventures Archery, there are five different events involved in the Ferman Chevrolet Florida Archery Slam. They include the Bonefish Grill Freshwater Challenge, The Overhead Door of Tampa Bay Big Boar Bash, The Red Hot Saltwater Slam, The Dinosaur Tug, and the Whitetail Blowout. The awards ceremony for the Dinosaur Tug and Whitetail Blowout will occur on Saturday, November 22 along with a 3D Tournament.
“Participation has grown with each event; we anticipate an even larger turnout at this last event,” said Edelmann.
An archery tournament can be found taking place nearly every weekend in Florida, which gives tournament archers a great opportunity to stay active in the off-season. The Competitive Bowhunters Association created The Ferman Chevrolet Florida Archery Slam in order to get people involved in archery before and during the season.
“We just want people to pick up their bows and get more passionate about archery, hunting and the outdoors,” said Edelmann.
Preregistration for the archery festival is as low as $30 for the entire day (includes lunch). Youth 12 years old and under can participate for as low as $15. Preregistration for the Ferman Chevrolet Florida Archery Slam has averaged out to be $50 per adult and $30 for youth participants. Anyone interested in participating in the swap meet will pay a $20 fee for a space. They are welcome to bring their own tent and set up for the entire day.
Winners for each individual event receive cash awards. “We are also able to give away products to our winners,” said Edelmann. “This is possible because of our wonderful sponsors, including Al’s Wild Meats, Grizzly Coolers, Bowtech Archery, Mathews and Mission Archery, Darton Archery, PSE Archery and Bear Archery.”
The grand prize for the Ferman Chevrolet Florida Archery Slam Series winner is a hunting trip to South Africa with Dries Visser Safaris.
Adventures Archery is located at 2210 U.S. Hwy. 301 in Tampa. For more information, visit www.adventures archery.com or call 664-8700.
