Bow hunters on safari at Hoodoo

African animals scattered on ski slopes and bow hunters riding chair lifts is not what you'd expect to see at Hoodoo, unless it's time for the North American Longbow Safari, which returned to Sisters Country July 7 and 8. The event was last hosted here in 2014.

More than 200 traditional archery enthusiasts trekked from throughout the Northwest and Canada to the Hoodoo Ski Area for the 36th annual rendition of the event, filling the parking lot with campers.

Handcrafted wooden long-bows have a much shorter range than more modern compound bows, meaning that archers not only have to be much closer to their target, but also develop skills that are quite different than those required for high-powered compound bows.

On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, the participants boarded the chairlift to the shooting courses laid out up high among the trees. To the south "hunters" stalked North American animals (life-sized models), while to the north, African animals could be found. Archers of all ages made their way through the courses, which is akin to disc golf or sporting clays in the sense that competitors move from station to station, earning points based on placement of arrows in the target.

While many participants chose not to score, those in the competition earned zero points for misses, one point for hits outside the kill zone and five points for arrows striking within the kill zone.

In addition to the safari courses, the event also featured a running animal challenge, a bow birds competition, and a long-distance shoot.

Ben Kurtz of Sweet Home, taking part in the safari for the first time, had a big smile on his face as he came off the first course of the weekend and explained his attraction to the sport.

"It's just part of history," he said. "I love all the traditional gear and get to meet lots of great people. It's fun."

When not nocking arrows, participants had time to shoot the breeze, visit vendors, and enjoy meals together.

Holly Akenson attended the event with her husband, Jim, who served as a participant as well as a guide, and said the event is designed to bring people together doing what they love.

"It's neat to see people gathering together between events to share stories and discuss issues related to bow hunting."

The event alternates between four western states (California, Idaho, Montana and Oregon) of the U.S. and Canadian provinces each year, so next year's safari will be somewhere up north. It's uncertain if the safari will return to Hoodoo in the near future, but by all accounts the event met people's expectations.

One archer joked, "It's a lovely place to be out chasin' arrows."