Howdy, y’all! Listen to this, Texas is home to a lot of really great archery ranges. Given the state is huge, and has a lot of ground for archery ranges, both indoor and outdoor, there is still an impressive presence for the archery world.
Just like the numerous great barbecue places to choose from, there are so many amazing archery ranges, so it can sure be difficult to just choose one of them.
Because Texas can be really hot, there is a multitude of nicely air-conditioned indoor ranges, but also has some really pretty outdoor ranges for the times that you want to enjoy the beauty of Texan nature!
And because of the bounteous number of archery ranges that are located in Texas, especially in San Antonio, I put together a special list of the 10 best archery ranges in the San Antonio area!
By using this as a guide, you can find your way around the San Antonio area while stopping at some of the best archery ranges around! You might even try an archery tour!
So if you live in San Antonio, or you’re just stopping by for a visit, then make sure to stop by these hidden gems that are waiting for you to come and shoot!
1. Viking Archery
Viking Archery is a family-owned business that owns a pro shop as well as a range to teach members of the community the art of archery. Located in Canyon Lake, this family business caters to all the archery needs of Texas Hill County and is proud to host JOAD programs as well.
They own not just a pro shop, but an indoor and outdoor archery range, with both flat and 3-D targets to practice from. They teach both children’s and adult classes during certain times of the month, as well as host many special events like shoot-outs and tournaments.
2. Archery Battles
Archery Battles isn’t necessarily the most serious archery place in Texas, but it sure is fun! Archery Battles is a facility that specializes in a recently popular sport, arrow tag, where opponents play certain games and shoot each other with arrows that have a protected foam end, so as to minimize pain.
Similar to paintball, there are many games that can be played, and all opponents are given proper eye protection and head protection. Located in Austin, San Antonio, and Waco, Archery Battles is a great place for birthday parties, company events, and just fun with your friends and family!
3. Leading Edge Archery
Found in Boerne, Texas, Leading Edge Archery is a pro shop and indoor range that is “for the serious hunter and target shooter.” So if you’re the more serious type about archery, Leading Edge Archery provides all gear, instruction, and practice that you could ever wish for!
The indoor range located onsite is very large, with over 10 lanes to shoot from, and daily fee for the range is only $10! They also host a number of shooting leagues and tournaments, including a handicap league. Equipment is also available for rent, which you can find with the assistance of the helpful staff!
4. A Place to Shoot
A Place to Shoot is a gun shop and range that also includes archery equipment and an archery range! Located in San Antonio proper, A Place to Shoot has all the equipment for gunmen and archers alike!
And while there are a lot more gun ranges at A Place to Shoot than archery ranges, they still have a nice covered archery range with foam targets at 20, 30, and 40 yards! The entry fee for the archery range is $10 and counts for all day. You’ll get a spot at the range as well as arrow holders and bow hangers!
5. Buck & Doe’s Mercantile
Buck & Doe’s is another gun and archery combined shop and range. If you happen to dabble in both shooting guns and shooting bows, then Buck & Doe’s Mercantile is the best place for you! Found in San Antonio proper, Buck & Doe’s is a family-friendly center for you to practice the things you love!
Their indoor range is 12 lanes, with each target placed at 20 yards each. They provide instruction for beginning archers, as well as host shooting leagues and tournaments for both gunmen and archers. They also have times where you can shoot lifesize 3D targets for a change of pace!
6. Gassman’s Archery and Air Rifles
Coming to you from San Antonio is the family-created, family-owned Gassman’s Archery and Air Rifles. This pro shop was founded by Arch Gassman in 1934 and has been passed down in the family ever since. While the shop is primarily geared towards archers, they also offer an array of air rifles.
They have a beautifully air-conditioned indoor range, where you can go to practice or learn from the pros how to shoot your bow like an Olympian. Gassman”s Archery prides themselves on their exceptional customer service, and they promise that if you come to their shop with your family, you won’t be disappointed!
7. Archery Training Center – Austin JOAD Archers
Now down the road from San Antonio to Austin, one of the best places for juveniles and children to learn archery is the Archery Training Center for Austin’s JOAD Archers. This is a learning center for children who are interested in joining the JOAD program, or Junior Olympic Archery Development program.
They offer a wide range of classes for junior archers, and they have amazing facilities, including an indoor range and an outdoor range. The indoor range is beautiful, with the capacity of 10 archers, and targets are 9m to 18m.
The outdoor range has the capacity of 40 archers, with targets up to 70m, and has up to 10 competitive target mats.
8. Austin Archery Club
The Austin Archery Club, also found in Austin, is a non-profit archery club that caters to the archery needs of their members and focuses on fostering a love of target archery in their circle of archers. They are very open to guests, who can attend all club events as long as they’re accompanied by a member.
The grounds of the club are very large, with a large Bowhunters trail/course and a field archery course, as well as a smaller static field range. If you know a member or want to become a member, you’ll know that everyone will treat you like you’re a part of their family!
9. Archers Haven
Going back to Canyon Lake, TX, Archers Haven is another family-based archery club that has many competitive teams and shooting leagues. They host a wide variety of different club events, and even provide special memberships for those who are active duty and their families!
They have an outdoor course with flat target and 3D target options, and the various competitions that are available are very kid and family-friendly, so you know that if you joined this club, the club would take great care of you and your family!
10. Mesquite Archery
And lastly, returning back to lovely San Antonio, Mesquite Archery is the last pro shop we’re going to be talking about today. The shop has a specialized team of technicians who will work with each customer individually so that their needs are properly catered to and they feel like they get what they want.
The shop also has a 10-lane, 20-yard indoor range for you to try out your new equipment on! They sell every type of bow known to man and provide in-house customization and repair! If you decide to stop by Mesquite Archery to get your next great bow, you’re guaranteed to walk back out again feeling satisfied!
So that’s it for this list of the 10 best archery ranges in the San Antonio Area!
There are a plethora of great ranges to choose from, but I promise that there’s something that will fit your expectations and your archery needs, whether they have to do with bowhunting, learning from the beginning, or buying a great new bow!
So wherever you decide to go, you will have the time of your life and get in some needed quality time with you and your bow! (in addition to your significant other, family, and/or friends!)
Thanks for reading, and Happy Shooting!
Check out the best archery ranges in the country.
What Makes a High-Quality Archery Range?
The country has many archery ranges, some being better than others. A quality range offers features and qualities that cater to the needs of their visitors to provide a fun and safe shooting experience. Some important things to look for in a quality archery range are as follows.
Safety: The safety of their visitors should be the top priority in any archery range you visit. A range that values safety will have safety protocols and rules clearly posted for all to see. These will include designated shooting lanes and proper signs along with trained staff to monitor and enforce their rules and regulations. Safety measures such as backstops, barriers, and adequate ventilation systems should be in place to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of participants.
Range Layout and Design: An effective range layout is crucial for archers to practice their skills comfortably. The range should have well-defined shooting lanes with sufficient space between shooters, allowing for safe and unobstructed shooting. Distances for various shooting distances should be marked, and targets should be properly positioned for easy visibility and retrieval.
Target Variety and Quality:Â A great archery range offers a variety of target options to cater to different archery disciplines and skill levels. This can include traditional bullseye targets, 3D animal targets, and specialty targets for specific archery styles. Targets should be well-maintained, regularly replaced or repaired, and appropriately sized and positioned to provide a fair and challenging shooting experience.
Equipment and Amenities: High-quality archery ranges provide individuals with access to quality archery equipment and amenities, including bows and arrows, shooting stands or benches, and storage areas for personal gear.
Related Reading: 11 Best Compound Bows for Beginners
Instruction and Coaching: A great archery range may offer instructional classes or coaching services for people of any skill level. Qualified instructors or teachers should provide training and tips to help archers improve their form, accuracy, and technique. Their main goal is to contribute to the growth and development of archers at any skill level.
Community and Atmosphere: A positive and welcoming atmosphere can greatly enhance the overall experience at an archery range. A great range fosters community, encouraging archers to connect, share knowledge, and support each other’s progress. Organized events, competitions, or social gatherings can help build this community spirit and create a vibrant archery culture.
Accessibility and Convenience: Convenient location, sufficient parking, and low range fees contribute to the accessibility and attractiveness of an archery range. Range hours that accommodate various schedules, including evenings and weekends, can cater to a wider range of archers.