Archery Blog
Bowtech Renews Total Archery Challenge Partnership | Archery Weekly Feb 17-23
Feb
This week brought exciting developments across the archery world, from major sponsorship renewals to record-breaking school programs and championship victories. Here’s your comprehensive roundup of everything happening in archery.
Bowtech Renews Total Archery Challenge Partnership for 2026
Bowtech, the award-winning archery brand based in Eugene, Oregon, announced the renewal of its partnership with Total Archery Challenge (TAC) for the 2026 event series[1]. TAC is widely regarded as the premier outdoor archery sporting event in the United States, drawing thousands of participants annually to mountain venues across the country.
As part of this continued collaboration, Bowtech will once again host the Bowtech Mountain Festival at TAC events, where participants can explore the latest gear and products firsthand. This year’s showcase will feature an expanded product line following Bowtech’s recent acquisition of Black Gold Premium Accessories.
“The renewal of our partnership with Total Archery Challenge is an exciting period of time that allows us to bring product excellence into the 2026 bow hunting season,” said Todd Snader, Bowtech’s brand manager. “Showcasing our product line expansion to our core audience of customers at this event series is an essential piece of our customer relations.”
Watch: What is the Total Archery Challenge?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ2JrVqXrpE
2026 TAC Schedule:
- March 27-29: New Albany, Indiana
- April 17-19: Broken Bow, Oklahoma
- April 24-26: San Antonio, Texas
- May 1-3: Belvidere, Tennessee
- May 22-24: Killington, Vermont
- May 28-31: Seven Springs, Pennsylvania
- June 5-7: Boyne Falls, Michigan
- June 12-14: Thompsonville, Michigan
- June 19-21: Lead, South Dakota
- June 26-28: Red Lodge, Montana
- July 10-12: Durango, Colorado
- July 16-19: Brian Head, Utah
- August 7-9: Wakefield, Michigan
Hoyt/Easton Pro/Am Extends Foley Contract Through 2031
The Archery Shooters Association (ASA) and Foley Sports Tourism have signed a five-year contract extension to keep the prestigious Hoyt/Easton Pro/Am tournament in Foley, Alabama through 2031[2]. The announcement came alongside plans to enhance this year’s event (February 19-21) with additional attractions.
The partnership was recognized last year with a Sports Destination Management Champions of Economic Impact Award after bringing in $1.7 million and more than 2,300 room nights to the area. The Pro/Am set an ASA attendance record in 2024, demonstrating the event’s growing popularity among competitive archers.
“Extending the contract was an easy decision for ASA. Foley is our premier event site,” said ASA President Josh Grine. “Between the teams at Graham Creek, the Foley Event Center, and Foley Sports Tourism, the level of support in Foley is exceptional. Over the years, these partnerships have grown into lasting friendships, and we genuinely look forward to returning to Foley each season.”
This year’s event will feature a new kick-off party open to the public at the Foley Event Center on February 19 from 6-9 PM, featuring food, entertainment, and a blind-draw cornhole tournament with cash payouts.
Deming Early College High School Wins New Mexico State Championship
Congratulations to the archery team from Deming Early College High School in New Mexico, who earned a state championship by capturing first place at the 2026 New Mexico State NASP 3-D Championship[3]. The tournament was hosted by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and featured teams from across the state.
The team delivered a dominant performance throughout the competition, demonstrating exceptional focus, precision, and consistency against top competitors. The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) 3-D format challenges student archers to shoot at life-sized three-dimensional animal targets at varying distances, simulating real hunting scenarios while testing accuracy and distance estimation skills.
NASP has been instrumental in introducing archery to students nationwide, providing standardized curriculum and equipment that allows schools to safely teach the sport. This victory marks a significant achievement for the Early College High School program and showcases the growing strength of youth archery in New Mexico.
Marilyn Bentz Receives ATA Industry Impact Award
National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) Executive Director Marilyn Bentz was presented with ATA’s prestigious Industry Impact Award at the Industry Celebration during the 2026 ATA Trade Show in Indianapolis[4].
This award honors leaders in the archery industry who inspire others and grow participation in archery and bowhunting. Bentz was nominated by a group of archery industry peers for her contributions made through service, engagement, and dedication to the sport over more than two decades.
“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to the archery and bowhunting industry for many years,” said Bentz. “I’ll continue my efforts to increase participation and promote safety. Thank you to ATA and my friends in the industry for this honor. I work with a wonderful network of people who share my dedication to our industries’ success.”
“ATA is pleased to recognize industry leaders like Marilyn Bentz for their ongoing efforts to grow and support the industry,” added ATA President & CEO Jeff Poole. “Marilyn represents the industry well while engaging new audiences as the NBEF Executive Director.”
Bentz has led the National Bowhunter Education Foundation as Executive Director since 2003. The global nonprofit is dedicated to bowhunter safety and education through standardized curriculum. She previously served on the NBEF Board of Directors from 1996-2003 and has also served on the Archery Hall of Fame Board of Directors and as a two-term board member of the Archery Trade Association.
California Sets Record with 18 School Archery Grants
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced that the 2025-26 school year marks the most California National Archery in the Schools Program (CalNASP) grants ever awarded since the program began in 2005[5]. During this school year, 18 schools across the state received archery equipment kits and training.
CalNASP brings archery into eligible California classrooms, offering students in grades 4-12 an opportunity to learn discipline, focus, and confidence through an inclusive activity that welcomes all skill levels and abilities. Each awarded school receives a complete start-up equipment kit valued at approximately $3,800, along with hands-on teacher training and curriculum support.
“This record year reflects the growing enthusiasm for archery in schools and the incredible commitment of educators who want to provide students with new ways to connect with one another and find new ways to thrive,” said Grace Vierra, CalNASP Coordinator. “This sport teaches patience, self-control and teamwork—skills that benefit students far beyond the archery range.”
The program continues to champion accessibility by offering adaptive equipment for students with physical disabilities, ensuring every student has the chance to participate. The 2025 grants were awarded to four elementary schools, seven middle schools, and seven high schools spanning Title I campuses, rural communities, coastal areas, and mountain towns across California.
2026 European Indoor Championships Conclude in Bulgaria
Watch: European Indoor Championships 2026 Individual Finals
The 22nd European Indoor Archery Championships concluded this week in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (February 16-21)[6]. Athletes from across Europe competed in recurve, compound, and barebow divisions, showcasing the continent’s top indoor archery talent in one of the year’s premier international competitions.
Indoor archery presents unique challenges compared to outdoor shooting, with standardized 18-meter distances and smaller targets requiring exceptional precision. The European Championships serve as an important benchmark for athletes preparing for the upcoming outdoor season and future Olympic qualification events.
Looking to improve your archery skills? Check out our archery equipment and practice targets to train like the pros.
References
- Murray Road Agency – Bowtech Returns as Major Sponsor at 2026 Total Archery Challenge
- Gulf Coast Media – Award-winning archery event extends Foley contract
- Silver City Radio – Local News: Tuesday, February 17th, 2026
- NBEF – Executive Director Marilyn Bentz Honored with ATA Industry Impact Award
- YubaNet – CalNASP Celebrates Record-Breaking Year
- Wikipedia – 2026 European Indoor Archery Championships
