Local lessons available at Stevens Creek archery range

Though California is desperately in need of some rain, the dry weather does afford some time for outdoor activities, like archery.

The Stevens Creek Archery range, off of Mt. Eden road in the Stevens Creek County Park, is a nearby place to try. It’s nestled in the hills, on the border of the Cupertino and Saratoga city lines, about 15 minutes away from the school.

The range is open to the public and has 28 archery stations with hay bale targets. The Bowhunter Unlimited Archery Club offers free lessons there with a reservation. Free lessons are available on the first Sunday of every month between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. for groups of five or fewer.

Lessons are also available on other days for a fee and with a reservation. The range is open to the public from 8 a.m. to sunset, so visitors can use the course all through the day, and a membership is not required for course use.

Equipment is provided, and lesson instructors teach the basics of archery: equipment, operating procedures and proper shooting technique. The lesson generally lasts about an hour.

After the lesson, the range offers a variety of different courses to choose from, which can range from half an hour to two hours with some necessary hiking (so bring sturdy shoes and water).

Archery is a fun and doable activity for everyone, even those typically disinclined to sports. So if you want to try out some archery, head up into the hills for some exercise, while trying something new with friends.