There's nothing like taking a passion and turning it into a business venture.
Take Drop Tine Archery near Elimsport.
Everything for the avid bow hunter is here, from equipment and accessories to three archery ranges.
Article Photos
MIKE?REUTHER/Sun-Gazette
A staff member at Drop Tine Archery near Elimsport aims at a target shaped like a dinosaur.
"We had started to plan to build this last February," said Dave Strayer, one of the owners of the business along Route 44. "We broke ground in September. We moved in Dec. 26."
Inside the new, nearly 1,500 sq. ft. building can be found perhaps every archer's dreams.
"We carry four major bow lines," said Strayer.
Fact Box
Drop Tine Archery
14325 Route 44,
near Elimsport
547-0440
Mon., Tue., Thur. to Sat. - 1 to 8 p.m.
The store sells Hoyt, Mathews, Bowtech and PSE as well as Diamond and Mission bow lines.
Strayer and his business partners, Nathaniel and Renee Earnest, have many combined years of experience in the archery business.
The Earnests are certified bow technicians and who have shot professionally for bow companies at competitions.
The two worked a number of years at Sutton Archery, Benton.
"Here, a guy can come in the door, work with us and shoot bows," Strayer said.
And of course, there's the ranges, where customers can stop and test their archery skills.
There's the traditional paper range where archers can take aim at stationary targets, as well as the 3D range and the video range.
The video range, Strayer said, combines technology with something akin to a "real live hunt."
Strayer sees archery as a growing hobby and one that is drawing increasing numbers of women and children.
Nathan noted that kids involved in archery are soon expected to surpass those playing Little League Baseball.
The growing market is one reason the business partners decided to start Drop Time Archery.
Archery teams will drop by and use the ranges.
"We give professional lessons from age 8 and up," Nathan said.
Strayer and the Earnests both take up the bow to hunt, and Nathan works as a guide in Ohio for whitetail deer.
The store offers bow rentals, repairs and one-on-one archery training.
Other members of the business team include Strayer's wife Laurel and pro staffers Ed Danneker and Tim Gordon.
The business will hold an open house May 5. On hand will be Michael Waddell of the television series Bone Collector.
Business hours are 1 to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
More information is at www.dtaproshop.com
