Taking His Best Shot: 13-year-old Wins 2nd in State Youth Archery

When it comes to bowhunting in north Idaho, Boundary County's Ryan Farrens is as close to the real deal as anyone who has every strung a bow.

Last year, the 13-year-old Boundary County Middle School eighth grader was just short of sensational. He took first in the state for youth archery and second in Idaho for archery in velvet when he took down a 5x6 trophy buck.

Two weeks ago, Farrens - an accomplished archer who has been shooting with a bow since the age of five - came close to duplicating last year's feat. Using an 82nd Airborne BowTech whose bow has a 50-pound draw-weight, Farrens nailed a 5x5 buck on Sept. 2 and should place second in the state for youth.

"He was pretty jazzed when he took it down," said his dad, Chad Farrens. "He knows what he's doing out there when he has a bow in his hands."

His father - who owns Mountain View Archery just north of Bonners Ferry at Three Mile Corner - isn't the only one who has recognized his son's talent as an archer. The 5-foot, 6-inch 100-pounder is a sponsored-shooter for BowTech, an innovator in the bowhunting market that has revolutionized its product line with bows featuring a binary cam system that functions as a smooth, seamless single unit. The company has already sent Farrens two bows thisyear; the one he shot the 5x5 buck retails for about $770.

"He usually waits until he's about 20 yards away from a deer before he shoots," said his dad. "He knows how to stay very calm, which helps him to be a consistently steady shooter. Participating regularly in 3-D shoots throughout the region also has had a lot to do with improving his ability."

BowTech is not the only big-name sponsor behind Farrens. The Moyie Springs teenager also has Gold Tip Arrows, Ripcord Arrow Rest, Mountain View Archery and several Boundary County businesses sponsoring him as well.

The wall at Mountain View Archery - where more than 40 plaques and trophies are mounted - attests to Farrens' remarkable skill as an archer and bowhunter.

A rising star in the sport, the youngster placed first in the Men's Open competition this summer at sanctioned archery shoots in Sandpoint, second in Priest River and took fifth place awards in Libby and Ronan, Mont., an extraordinarily rare accomplishment for a 13-year-old.

In the Youth Division (13 to 17-year-olds), Farrens was even more outstanding. He took home five first place awards and two second place trophies.

Farrens has also hunted with a rifle, but his father said he simply prefers bowhunting.

"After he shot his first deer with a rifle when he was 12, he said it was a little boring," he said. "He likes getting as close as he can get to a deer pulling back the bow and letting it go. He usually doesn't miss."