Years ago hunters used bows and arrows to slay animals for food to feed their families. Nowadays accuracy is not as crucial for survival, but is still required for flinging arrows to poke a hole through the bulls-eye. Local archers have been practicing to do just that at indoor events sponsored by the Stansbury Oquirrh Bowmen at Deseret Peak Complex this winter.

This is the seventh year shooting has been held at Deseret Peak Complex, and last Thursday the largest group ever showed up to begin the season.

"Anybody can come and shoot, just for fun or in the league," organizer Bart Hansen said. "We've even got little kids shooting, so we're trying to make it as family-oriented as possible."

There are rules and guidelines, but they are simple and are in place so there are no injuries or accidents. Everybody lines up at a designated spot and waits for the whistle. When it is blown, the only noises heard are the whoosh of the arrows and the thuds of the targets. After all the shooters are done they have to wait for the whistle to blow again and then they can go collect their scores and arrows.

January will bring some big-name archers to town along with some big-time competition. The main indoor arena will be transformed to look like an outdoor scene with old Christmas trees and hills around the targets. It's an event held for hunters after the hunts so they can practice and for people who just plain like to shoot.

"It's a good way to meet fellow archers, have a good time and practice something you like to do," Hansen said.

For the people who aren't shooting for fun and are participating for sheer competitiveness, the scores depend on where you hit the target. The scores can range from 10, 8 and 5, with distances ranging from 20 to 60 feet. There are 20 positions and 20 targets. The archers shoot for an hour then take an hour break, and go right back to shooting.

The shooting began Thursday and will continue every Thursday night from 7 to 9 p. m. until the end of February. The only Thursdays not scheduled for shooting during the next four months are Nov. 8 and Nov. 22. Archers in the league encourage newcomers to come and participate.