Bowhunters follow straight and "arrow" path to nature

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amaani Lyle
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) --  When the steely eyes of a six-foot, 1,800-pound bison peer at you from beneath toussled wooly hair, the last thing most people on the hunt would opt to do is even the playing field.

But for the bowhunters here, precision and accuracy is king, and some members said they favor their hand-made arrows, long bows and compound bows any day over the ease of guns or rifles in aiming for targets.

Though bowhunting of actual game is illegal in Germany, archery and bowhunting enthusiasts here can learn, train, and interact with other archers in the Eifel Bowhunters, a 70-member-and-growing club here.

“I started this hobby in Illinois some years back, and when I got here, I discovered there were a couple of clubs in the local area,” said Master Sgt. Chris Kossack, 52nd Communications Squadron NCOIC of standards and evaluations and Eifel Bowhunter. “A few of the people from each of those clubs joined the Eifel Bowhunters -- and I’ve been a member ever since.”

As the lone active American member of the Eifel Bowhunters, Sergeant Kossack said he and wife, Paola, have found a host of new friends and fellow archers.

Most of the Germans on the team speak fluent English. But, whatever the native tongue of the participants, all involved seem to agree that the Eifel Bowhunters is a family affair.

“I’d say the club members are almost half women because most everyone’s spouse or their girlfriend is also on the team,” said Jurgen Kraus, Eifel Bowhunter. “We have a wide age range too -- from age 6 well into middle age and older.”

The spectrum of team members makes tournaments much more social than competitive, Sergeant Kossack said.

“I don’t shoot, but I enjoy coming to the tournaments because we camp out, hang out and share experiences -- these are bonuses to being a part of the sport here,” Mrs. Kossack said.

While tournaments may not consist of man-versus-beast square offs, one bow hunting club member said he and his colleagues create some very hunt-worthy imposters with which to practice.

“We build and paint our own targets,” said club member Tomas Kraus. “In addition to creating life-size bison, goats and deer, we use a variety of bows and arrows, and we make most of the arrows ourselves.”

The beasts may be synthetic, but the closeness to nature is what Jurgen said draws him to the sport.

“When you’re out there in the wilderness and the wind is blowing -- it’s just you and the target,” Jurgen said. “It becomes a game of strategy and concentration.”

Jurgen’s nephew and fellow team member Tomas shares his sentiment.

“Archery takes a lot of concentration, but the release somehow brings you such a feeling of relaxation. You need to be absolutely focused on your target,” he said.