relaxed. Field archery is another strong point. I feel the number one factor in shooting field successfully is to be prepared. I have learned all these lessons the hard way. First ,great sight marks, proven cut-shot charts, a reliable angle-measuring device and a bow you know will shoot the center of the x out if you make a good shot. Secondly, a reliable and disciplined shot routine that assists you in avoiding making errors in mis-setting your sight and shooting the wrong target. I made 3 sight setting errors at the National Field which resulted in 7 points lost. The guy that won, 0 errors. I believe in my equipment. It is all tried and true. I have been accused of being a tinkerer. My answer: “If you never try anything, you never learn anything”. No one will ever accuse me of following the norm, I believe there is always a better way of doing things, it just has to be found.
Flint Creek Archery Association (President) 2006 Major Sponsors Mathews Easton Technical Products, Inc. T.R.U. Ball Sure-Loc Muzzy Products, Corp. Alpen Optics Shrewd Precision Other Sponsors/Equipment: Super Scope, Doinker, and Sims Vibration Laboratory Equipment 3-D and Target Bow: Mathews Conquest 3, with Mini-Max cam, 54 lbs. draw weight, 27.5” draw length, equipped with a Sure-Loc sight with Shrewd Precision 6x scope, Doinker 30” stabilizer, Shrewd Precision grip, SVL Limb Savers and Mathews arrow rest. Bow: Mathews Switchback, 59 lbs. draw weight, 27.5” draw length, equipped with a Sure-Loc sight with Sure-Loc .7 diopter scope, Doinker 28” stabilizer, Shrewd Precision grip. Bow: Mathews Apex, 54 lbs. draw weight, 27.5” draw length, equipped with a Sure-Loc sight with Super Scope 6x scope, Doinker 30” stabilizer, Shrewd Precision grip. Release: T.R.U. Ball BT Gold 3 finger Arrows: Easton ACE 520, 27” with 1.6” vanes and 70 gr. Points, or Easton Lightspeed 500 with 2.3” vanes and 80 gr. points. Optics: Alpen 8.5 X 50 Binoculars Hunting
Tim Gillingham
Tim Gillingham Tim is 36 years old and has been shooting for 24 years. He is a National Shooting Staff Manager for Gold Tip Inc. His draw length is 32”. Current Equipment Bow: Mathew Apex 60 lbs/field , 65lbs 3-D Arrows: Field-- Gold Tip Pro Hunter 7595 w/120 grain pts. and pin bushings; 3-D—Gold Tip 30x w/100 grain pts. or Gold Tip X-cutters w/ 110-120 grain points and pin bushings Nocks: Magnocks (c-nocks) Scope: Shrewd 5x with drilled .019 lense and Pro Light DX with blue fiber Sight: Toxonics Naildriver String: Mathews Barracuda BCY 452x Loop: Center loop Carter release rope material Release: Carter Hole Thing 2000 Stabilizer: Shrewd 20” w/offset bracket to the left with a down angle quick connect Vanes: Vanetec V-max 1.75/field Vanetec V-max 2.25 3-D right helical fletched Arrow Rest: Golden Key TKO with .010 blade set up as dropaway Quiver : FIST Custom leather field quiver Optics: Binoculars/ Nikon Monarch 8x42—Nikon Premier LX L 10x42 Spotting Scope: Nikon Spotter XLII 6 Archery Magazine December ‘05/January '06
Hobbies All disciplines of archery with my favorites being marked distance FITA and Field Archery, Bowhunting Release Style I shoot a command style release meaning it is not a surprise when I shoot the shot. I feel like it gives me more control in various conditions and fits how I aim better. Although mentally it is not for everyone, I personally believe a surprise release is not either. We all have different aiming abilities and the subconscious can be harnessed no matter how we fire the release. Focus Point I try to focus on where I want the arrow to go and try to train my subconscious to keep the follow through happening both physically and mentally. That keeps the mind from thinking about the release. Summary I set the goal to win Shooter of the Year this year because I felt it was a very attainable goal for me. My ability to command the release is a big advantage, especially when shooting unmarked 3-d targets. I concentrate so hard on a little shadow or piece of light and as soon as the sight settles in it is gone. I always found it hard to hold on nothing when shooting a surprise style release. I combat the target-panic in archery by visualization practice and using a surprise style release in practice when I am not aiming
Linda is an Engineering Supervisor for Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Pascagoula, MS. She earned an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree, Drafting and Design Technology from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Release: T.R.U. Ball Arrows: Easton ACC 3-28, 26” with 4” Quick Spin vanes and 100 gr. Muzzy 3-blade broadheads.
Other Interests Outdoor and Wildlife Photography, Hunting, Bird Watching, Horseback Riding. I have been involved in the sport of archery for 17 years. I started bowhunting and shooting competitively in local tournaments in 1989. In 1991 I began competing on a national level, in NFAA indoor and field tournaments. In 1996 I started competing in the national 3-D tournaments (ASA), as an amateur, in addition to the NFAA tournaments. After winning the ASA Intermediate (Semi-Pro) Shooter of the Year and the NFAA Champion of Champions titles in 1998, I turned pro in 1999. I am an avid bowhunter. I have taken 28 whitetail deer with a bow, in five states, and antelope, wild hog and numerous small game animals, including squirrels, rabbits, grouse and pheasant. I have participated in several promotional hunts, including the “Does and Bows”, “Women out for Whitetails” (WOW), “Women’s Whitetail Rendezvous” and the “Halpino Lodge” ladies bowhunts. I have written stories about these hunts that were published in “3-D and Bowhunting Times” magazine. I actively promote the sport of archery and bowhunting as a family activity, and I am especially interested in getting more women and kids involved. I have participated in many bowhunting clinics, and help with the kids activities at tournaments. Active Memberships Archery Shooters Association Mississippi State Archery Association National Field Archery Association South Mississippi Archery Association International Bowhunters Organization
photos (including cover) courtesy of Greg Nielsen
SHOOTERS OF THE YEAR
LINDA K. OWEN
Bow: Mathews LX, 58 lbs. draw weight, 27.5” draw length, equipped with a Sure-Loc sight, Doinker 7” stabilizer, Shrewd Precision grip, SVL Limb Savers and Muzzy Zero-Effect arrow rest. Optics: Alpen 8.5 X 50 Binoculars
December ‘05/January '06 Archery Magazine 7