Bowhunters do right for Hunters for the Hungry

Hunters for the Hungry is an organization that provides venison to those in need. Last year in Virginia, Hunters for the Hungry provided more than 405,000 pounds of venison to those in need. Virginia hunters provide the venison, and Hunters for the Hungry takes care of processing and distribution, which is all dependent on donations.

Over the past several years, the trend is that more people need the venison while there are fewer people who can donate. Since 1996 the Belvoir Bowhunters have raised more than $30,000 in support of Hunters for the Hungry by sponsoring a combined archery competition, novelty shoots and a raffle.

Saturday morning welcomed a record 90 archers who took to the field to compete on an archery range with 25 foam rubber animals arrayed at unknown ranges. A maximum of 300 points were possible. There were 45 Adult Male Bowhunters Free Style competitors arrayed in three flights. The A Flight winner was Wayne Rasnake (253), Chris Hyers (249) was second, and Bob Ansel (244) was third. In B Flight, Ted Bradford (216) and Dustin Preet (216) tied for first place, with Kevin Brown (213) in second and Troy Stoner (208) was third. In C Flight, Bryan Leghorn and Gary Arrington tied for first place with a 185. Greg Singleton, Ty Flewelling and Felix Lopex tied for second place, a point behind the leaders with a 184.

Senior Male Bowhunter Free Style was won by Steve Richards (233), Barry Henningson (200) placed second, and Pat McHugh (180) was third. The Master Senior Male Bowhunter Free Style was won by Alex Paszly (214), Joel Lutkenhouse (191) was second, and Charlie Supienus (172) came in third.

The Adult Female Bowhunter Free Style was won by Bo Moxley (194) with Tammy Elizondo (143) second. Young Adult Male Bowhunter Free Style was won by John Gallion (120). James Hildebrand (206) won Youth Male Bowhunter Free Style with Joseph Spitek (183) second and Matthew Tourney (168) third. Youth Female Bowhunter Free Style was won by Lindsey Holtzclaw (127) and Cub Female Bowhunter Free Style was won by Lauren Holtzclaw (165). Cub Male Bowhunter Free Style was won by Dan Flewelling (94) with Matthew Spitek (71) second.

The Adult Male Traditional class was won by James Blackman (223) with Obula Reddy (184) second and Kevin O'Shea (165) third. Cay McManus (191) won Adult Female Traditional with Jennifer Stoner (169) second. Senior Male Traditional class was won by Russ Hatchel (190), Curt Lewis (183) came in second, and John Peeler (152) was third. Sarah Stremel (126) won the Youth Female Traditional class. In the Combined Free Style class Joey Truslow (263) was first, Kathy Weller (197) was second, and Chris Walker (192) was third.

After the competition, a series of novelty shoots and a raffle was held. By the day's end, a Bowhunters' record total of $3,636 was raised and presented to Hunters for the Hungry represented by Arrington.

Editor's note: Atchison is president of the Belvoir Bowhunters.