Archery thrives at local shop
By KURT BEGALKA
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kbegalka@nwherald.com
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| Northwest Herald file photo
Bow technician Pete Gussie (left), co-owner of Midwest Cimmarron Archery Pro Shop, is shown speaking to customer Ken Dishman of Round Lake in September. Gussie said January is the peak time for repairing and modifying bows. He recommends servicing cables on compound bows and replacing strings at least once a year. |
RICHMOND – If you’re thinking about taking up archery or are looking to upgrade your equipment, consider stopping by Midwest Cimmarron Archery Pro Shop.
Its headquarters – located in a nondescript barn off Route 12 on Richmond’s south side – belies the impact of this 19-year-old business. When it comes to archery, Wonder Lake residents Will Gussie and his son, Pete, are on target.
The crowded shop contains about 200 bows in stock made by such archery manufacturers as Bear, BowTech, Ross, Jennings and Stacey. Their inventory includes the older recursive designs and the compound models. The latter use cables and pulleys to minimize the amount of drawing strength required while maximizing power.
Pete Gussie, 33, said they routinely see customers who bought the wrong bows and arrows from a “big-box” outdoor supply store. In many cases, the bows cannot be tweaked enough to account for the wrong weight or draw length.
Will Gussie said they spend about a half hour talking with customers to determine their needs. That is followed by another 90 minutes customizing a bow to the shooter and then a trial run in the upstairs range – just to make sure everything checks out. They are measured for arrows. Do they require broadheads or target tips? What type of feathers will provide the greatest accuracy and visibility?
Also, those buying a bow receive a free initial adjustment.
“I guarantee you the draw length will increase 3 to 6 inches as their muscles get stronger,” Will Gussie said.
Will Gussie, 67, has been involved in archery 44 years – 40 of those as an instructor and bow technician. When he began, people were using simple longbows. Nowadays, new “parallel limbs” reduce vibration and noise. They also are smaller and lighter. The cost is between $300 and $1,400.
Shop amenities include an 80-yard outdoor range, a 20-acre outdoor course suitable for 3-D shoots and tournaments, and a 12-lane range upstairs – used for classes, lessons or simple target practice. Students include the Boy Scouts and YMCA Indian Guides/Princesses programs.
“If they show interest, we try and hook them up with a club,” Will Gussie said. “There are six [archery] clubs within a 45-minute drive.”
People who would like to use the range may do so for $8. Add another $5 to rent equipment. The 20-acre course costs $10 to shoot – far less than a round of golf.
“We’re the only shop that teaches traditional archery in the state,” Will Gussie said. “We’re also the only custom arrow shop around.”
The new arrows – featuring graphite, aluminum or composite shafts – fly faster and with greater accuracy.
After opening in downtown Richmond, Will Gussie and his wife, Norma, moved the business to what was a dilapidated barn 10 years ago. Despite having four times the space, he quickly ran out of room.
“We try to have a lot of inventory,” Will Gussie said with a grin. “If a guy needs something, he wants it now.”
