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PAUL PARSONS - PRESIDENT

Q. What is your day job?

A . I am a Technology Coordinator for Redwood County. Techie stuff. Also during hunting season, City of Redwood Falls Hunt Coordinator, and in summer months, Archery Instructor for the City of Redwood Falls Summer Rec. and Cottonwood Summer Rec.

Q. Tell us about your family...

A . Awesome son that I am very proud of, very cool parents that have become more friends during the past many years. Two brothers (I am the middle child), sis-in-law, two nephews, one niece, niece-in-law and a great nephew. I also have a wonderful, beautiful girlfriend. All have been supportive of my archery addiction.

Q. What do you enjoy most about archery?

A . OH BOY. The list goes on and on. But I would have to say in no particular order: Discipline, comradery, friendships, telling stories, the adrenaline rush, the emotional roller coaster, meeting my set goals, being in the outdoors, building arrows is very satisfying. I have also grown to enjoy teaching archery to all age groups. Especially youth, and watching their faces when they hit that bull’s eye or pop a balloon. Priceless!!!

Q. Do you target shoot and/or hunt?

Q. How did you get into archery?

A . Both, but a tough one to answer which is more fun. I tend to target shoot more than hunt.

A . I would say mid 70’s shooting my Dad’s Herters recurve and cedar arrows at straw bales. Then early 90’s got back into archery shooting with my cousins after I got out of the Military. It has been in my blood ever since. Started getting more involved with competitive archery while I lived in CA. Also did a lot of hunting out there as well.

Q. What is your advice to someone who would like to start shooting archery?

A . Join a local club / pro shop, MSAA, MAA, NFAA. Shoot with other people, ask questions, ask for help. Set goals, but make them obtainable. Then after meeting that goal, set another one higher. Then most important, MAKE IT FUN. “If an archer shoots just for fun he has all his skill. If he shoots for score his hands tremble and his breath is uneasy. If he shoots for a golden prize he becomes mad and blind. His skill was not lessened, but the vision of the target changed him” (author unknown).

Q. Do you have family members who shoot archery?

A . My Dad bow hunted many years ago. A couple years ago, my brother and niece shot league and indoor competitions. I was super-pumped and had a great time shooting archery with them. My son and I used to shoot in the backyard and in tournaments.

Q. Do you have any life lessons you’ve taken away from your time shooting archery?

A . Patience, patience, and oh, more patience. The one life lesson that some of you know is this: “Forget the last arrow, only the next one counts.”

Contact Information:

PAUL PARSONS, Interim President 33811 Crown Avenue, Echo, MN 56237 507-401-0469 • indoorvp.msaa@mnarchery.org

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