Five Valleys Archery Club Hosts 45th Bear Shoot

While some dads are out sipping mimosas and brunching it up on Father’s Day, we’re here in Montana doing what we do best...Slinging arrows, swapping stories, and turning the woods into a family reunion with a side of competition. Invite your pops to join you on the range and tell us (detail optional) what you’ll say when you beat him!

It’s that time again. The Five Valleys Archery Club annual Bear Shoot returns to Clearwater Junction for its 45th year. If you’ve gone, you already know, it’s not just a shoot, it’s a tradition.

When and Where
Saturday and Sunday, June 14–15
Starts at 7 AM both days
Clearwater Junction: just drive out Highway 200 past Bonner and keep going until you come to a giant fiberglass cow. You’re there.

Here’s How It Works
You’ll shoot 40 3D targets each day. No marked distances. Binoculars are okay, but rangefinders? Nah. That’s not how this shoot is going down.

And Saturday night? Stay for a kids’ shoot, a long-distance challenge, and the frequently rowdy smoker round.

What’s It Cost? (SEE FLYER BELOW)
It’s cheap. Aside from a $3 fee from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Want to skip that part? Spend 3 hours volunteering for the club helping with setup, welcoming and registering folks, or tearing it down, and they’ll waive the fee. That’s a solid community right there.

Some Food, Some Camping, and Some Raffle Goodness
Sher’s OutWest food truck will be in attendance to keep you full. There’s primitive camping available, bring firewood, don’t be a slob, and a raffle on Sunday that’s worth sticking around for. (PSSSST! I hear that they have Aaron Lewis concert tickets to give away!)

Why You Should Go
The Bear Shoot isn’t just for bowhunters or serious archery enthusiasts. It’s for families. For kids. For dads who’d rather be in the woods than stuck in a crowded booth pretending they like Eggs Benedict.

You’ll take a shot, you’ll probably laugh, maybe lose an arrow or two (I manage to break plenty every year), and what you’ll walk away with are the memories that actually matter.