ORANCO BOWMEN MONTHLY NEWSLETTER - MAY - 2026

 
 
ORANCO BOWMEN ARCHERY CLUB

Club President   


By: Al Wiscovitch - Club President


Hi Oranco Members,


I hope you are having a nice spring.


As most of you know, I've been working towards getting our banquet done for this 73rd consecutive year of our existence as a club. We still have seats available. You can reach out to me, and I can get you on the RSVP list. If you've never done our banquet, you should consider doing it. It's a lot of fun. There's a lot of awards. We give out pins for 5-year -year anniversaries 10-year 15, 20 year we give awards for accomplishments. We have chuckwagon style food and we finished the evening with a very nice raffle from our local sponsors. Turners outdoorsmen Willow Creek Archery and Victory Arrows these are all the people that help us throughout the year and also help us with our banquet.


So come on out. Join us for a great evening. I have seats available still would like to fill those seats with our members and your friends or family. $30 per person. You can text, call, or email me. Thanks again!


Hope to see you all out there. 


Al Wiscovitch

alwisco@msn.com

(909) 322-3869

Club Vice President


By: Pete Whitworth - Club Vice President


ATTENTION

What I am about to say should go without saying, however; it has come to our attention that some people are not following our safety rules.

We do not allow cross lane shooting, and we do not allow shooting outside of the lanes.

On two recent occasions, people were seen shooting from the main entry road, past the side of the practice area canopy, at the 80 yard practice butt. This is NOT ALLOWED, it is inherently unsafe, and it is grounds for termination of membership.

ALL SHOOTING in the practice area is to be done from the shooting line underneath the canopy, and in line with the target you are shooting.

The same goes for all of the other targets out on the roving ranges, you shoot in the designated lanes only.

We understand that you may want to shoot further than 80 yards. That is what the FITA lane is for. Any time our education groups are not using the FITA target, you can use that lane for your long distance shooting. The broadhead pit is also a long range lane for members only of course, and you need to follow the rules posted there as well.


Pete Whitworth

ob.vicepres@outlook.com

(909) 223-5822

Club Secretary

By: Amanda Duchardt - Club Secretary

Nothing to report.

Amanda Duchardt

Treasurer


By: Michael Nunez - ob.treasurer@outlook.com


Nothing to report.


Michael Nunez

ob.treasurer@outlook.com

(714) 333-5710

Range Captian


By: Jim Teel - Range Captain  


Big thanks to everyone who subscribed to my YouTube channel last month. I’m finally over 

the 500 subscribers milestone! If you haven’t already subscribed or you just want to see 

some bow fishing footage or see how our barn owl colony is doing, just pick a playlist and 

off you go! Carp Killer YouTube.

On a personal note, I want to say thanks to our club president, Al and his wife Suzy for helping to facilitate a picture-perfect weekend at Catalina Island a couple of weeks ago. After extensive planning to keep the surprise intact, I used our weekend getaway trip as the opportunity to finally propose. Leigh Anne and I have been together for over ten years and I’ve been referring to her as “wifey” for long enough. Now it’ll be official.

The state of the range is solid and everyone with range and lane assignments is doing a 

great job. But there are a few roles that still need to be filled. So if you’re interested in taking 

care of one of those assignments in exchange for your membership dues, please send me an 

email with your full name and phone number and membership status. Please note that you 

must be a club member (all requirements met) before applying for one of those roles. 


There will be a gluing party this Thursday night from 6 to 9 if you want to pick up some 

work party credits. You must text your RSVP to me for this work party as there is only 

room enough for ten to twelve people. My number: (818) 317-9110


If you’re wondering which lakes are ripe for bow fishing, I took a respectable amount out of 

Lake Elsinore on Monday and I believe Big Bear Lake will be spawning very soon. There 

is also a raffle taking place at Big Bear for the carp that you bring in all summer long. It 

doesn’t matter if you only shoot one carp or you shoot a hundred - it’s worth a raffle ticket 

every single day. Might win a new bow or a gift card to Bass Pro. Even if you don’t win 

anything, every carp taken out of the lake is a step in the right direction for a healthier lake. 

Carp must be turned in behind the Big Bear Municipal Water District office to be counted.


See you at the lake or on the range!


Jim Teel

ob.rangecaptain@outlook.com

(818) 317-9110

Hunt Chairman

By: Chriss Bowles - Club Hunt Chairman  

Nothing to report.

Chriss Bowles
(951) 757-4571

Range Secretary


By: Brad Belvedere - Club Range Secretary


Nothing to report.


Brad Belvedere

ob.rangesec@outlook.com

(951) 545-9462

Tournament Chairman


By: David Bacon. - Tournament Chairman


Nothing to report.


David Bacon

ob.tournament@outlook.com

(909) 217-4441

Membership Chairmen 

 

By: Steven Baker - Club Membership


Oranco Members,

 

We are now in the middle of renewal season, and I want to apologize to those who have not yet received their renewal invoice email. I am actively working on getting all remaining invoices sent out as quickly as possible. If you do not receive your renewal email by Friday, May 15th, please contact me so I can resend it.

 

We are still missing updated NFAA and CBH membership cards from several members. If your card expires between 05/01/25 and 05/31/25, please send me a revised copy as soon as possible. I must have the actual card (not the invoice or receipt) before I can issue your new membership card and gate code.

 

A reminder: the gate code will change on 05/31/26, and beginning 06/01/26, the new code will be required to enter the range.

 

Upcoming Volunteer Events

We have three events in June where we will need volunteers. These events are an important way for us to support the community and introduce future archers to our sport.

 

• Saturday, May 30th – Mike Raahauge’s Youth Outdoor Adventure Day Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM More details will be shared at Tuesday’s meeting and in follow‑up emails. Event page: Youth Outdoor Adventure Day | Raahauge’s

 

• Saturday, June 6th – San Bernardino Parks & Rec at Prado Park More details to follow.

• Saturday, June 13th – Compton Hunting & Fishing Club Youth Expo More details to follow.

 

All three events are great opportunities for us to give back and support the next generation of archers.

 

If you would like to volunteer, please send your name, contact information, and the event you want to work to: ob.membership@orancobowmen.org



Steven Baker

ob.membership@outlook.com

(951) 285-1550

League Chairman


By: Mark Van Patten - League Chairman


Nothing to report.


Mark Van Patten

ob.leagues@outlook.com
(909) 833-6450


Two Year Board Member

By: Bill Waltz - Two Year Board Member

Nothing to report.

Bill Waltz

If you are looking for photos of previous shoots, check out Tony Nguyen's fantastic photography in the link below! He has an amazing gallery organized by shoots and dates he's participated in:


tcnguyen-Oranco


Oranco Bowmen Archery Range

Occupying about 45 acres, Oranco Bowmen Archery Club is a NFAA certified 5-star range. This is the highest certification given by NFAA. We are the only range in Southern California with practice butts from 10-80 yards in 5-yard increments. If you need a place to "dial in" your bow, this is it! 

Oranco also has two NFAA roving courses: Our Valley Course is a level 28-target course, consisting of 14 animal and 14 hunter paper targets. For those who desire a bit more of a physical challenge, our Mountain Course is a hilly 28-target course offering 14 Field targets and another set of 14 animal paper targets. The Layout changes occasionally.
Oranco Bowmen Archery Club - Range Map 
Oranco is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings.

Please remember to lock your vehicles when you are not present and always take your equipment home with you. We have received reports about stolen equipment, and want everyone to understand that you alone are responsible for your belongings. We advise you to put your identification information on your belongings and try not to leave anything unattended.

Remember: We are open to the public on Sundays and during shoots. During these events it is much more difficult to track who is on range property, especially if people do not sign in at the office.

Be safe and responsible everyone.
 Announcements 

Range Beautification Party: We would greatly appreciate your help and support to the upcoming Work Parties. Keep an eye out for the email blast. All Club Members and their families are invited. Per Al Wiscovitch, Club President there will be an “ALL YOU CAN EAT LUNCH” served for ALL of our Volunteers who come out and help.

Your assistance ensures that the Oranco Bowmen Archery Club remains the best in Southern California. There is a reason why people travel from all over California to shoot at our Archery Club. Get involved and help us out.  
 
Cook Shack Workers Needed: Positions are still available for volunteers to help out during the upcoming shoots.

Please contact Steve Baker in order to reserve your spot at: Cell# (951) 285-1550. First Come, First Served.  

Target Camping: This is NOT Allowed...Period. Your Membership will be terminated for doing this! The Practice Butts are for sighting in, improving your archery skills, and honing your accuracy. The Roving Range is just that, Roving. Shoot 4 arrows, Score them, then move on to the next target. 

You have been warned. Don't do it. It is not worth it. 

Check out the Oranco Bowmen Youtube Channel


 NEWSLETTER GOAL 
Mission Statement:
My Goal as Newsletter Editor is to help Members stay informed with the Operations and Activities that are going on in and around the Oranco Bowmen Archery Club. Your suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Check out our Club Website: Oranco Bowmen Archery Club Website
 
Facebook  YouTube  Instagram