The Athens Community Archery Park was the first archery facility in the country to be developed through a partnership between a state fish and wildlife agency, city government, and the Archery Trade Association. The park features adult and youth known distance targets from 15-50 yards and 5-20 yards, respectively. A 12 foot high elevated platform provides bowhunters with an opportunity to simulate hunting conditions at targets from 10-40 yards.
Location
The range is located directly behind the Athens High School (SE corner near band room and tennis courts) in Limestone County. Parking is available adjacent to the range along with other recreational facilities including a playground, pavilion, tennis courts, and walking trail.
View an aerial image of the range location.
GPS coordinates: 34 deg. 48' 06.01" N 86 deg. 56' 56.51" W.
License Requirement
- For Alabama residents, a valid hunting, heritage, fishing, or WMA license is required for all range users between the ages of 16-64.
- Nonresidents over the age of 16 are required to have either a valid Alabama state hunting license or state WMA license to use the range.
Purchasing a license can be done in one of three ways:
- Online by clicking here
- By calling 1-888-848-6887
- Or through an outdoors supply retailer in your area
Range Regulations
- The range is open during daylight hours only.
- No alcoholic beverages allowed.
- Arrows may only be nocked onto the bowstring when standing on the shooting line preparing to shoot.
- Shoot only from the shooting line into the designated targets.
- Shooters are allowed to bring and shoot at a paper face placed on an existing target as long as it is removed from the range or placed in a trash receptacle once an individual has finished shooting. Personal targets are not allowed on range.
- Bows must be hung on the bowhanger behind the shooting line when waiting to shoot or while archers are down range retrieving arrows.
- All persons are to remain behind the shooting line while shooting is taking place. No shooting shall be allowed while anyone is down range.
- Arrows from bows of 30 pound draw weight or more may only be shot into the targets on the adult range. Arrows from bows less than 30 pound draw weight may be shot into targets on the youth or adult range.
- Only arrows with field or target points may be used or possessed on range. No broadheads may be possessed on the range.
- All individuals standing on or utilizing the elevated platform must wear a full body harness, including shoulder and leg straps, and attach themselves to the appropriate safety cable with the use of a “D” ring or safety carabiner.
- All used paper target faces and other trash shall be placed in a trash receptacle or removed from the range.
