Aim For The Range Near Maple Valley, Where Archery Fun Scores A Bulls'-Eye

Do you have a secret desire to be Robin Hood?

If so, you can live out your fantasy - at least a part of that fantasy - at Knickerbocker's Archery near Maple Valley.

Tucked behind a strip mall, the indoor range (OK, this isn't exactly Sherwood Forest) is the only one of its kind in South King County. There are other ranges in Olympia and Mountlake Terrace.

For those of us who grew up loving Bambi and think of bows in terms of hair ribbons and Christmas presents, the antler-adorned range can seem a little daunting at first.

Maybe it's all those deer heads dotting the walls, or the animal target posters - life-size photographs of raccoons and such, complete with white circles indicating the ideal target area. Or maybe it's the selection of videotapes for sale, including such titles as "Autumn Antlers," "Bull Mountain Bonanza," "Screaming Bulls" and "Gobbler," about turkey hunting.

Too macho.

But, as it turns out, owner Earl Knickerbocker, who has been making bows for 40 years, is a patient sort who caters as much to kids (as young as 4) with a Robin Hood fantasy as he does to bonafide hunters. In fact, he even does bow-and-arrow birthday parties at the range.

Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, he does kids' lessons, $7.50 for 90 minutes worth of instruction, including equipment rental. Adult lessons cost the same, but are by appointment.

On a recent afternoon, a a boy named Tyler was practicing. He hit the target dead center more often than not, and had only been shooting for the past year.

Much heartened, I decided to go ahead and give it a try.

"We'll need to find a bow that's light enough for you," Knickerbocker said.

"Just give me one like Tyler's," I joked.

"Sorry, but I don't think you could handle one that heavy," he replied.

Sure enough, Tyler handed me his bow, and I nearly broke my arm trying to pull it back.

Tyler is 10 years old. He tried very hard not to laugh.

His bow is 40 pounds, which refers to the amount of pressure needed to pull the bow in place before the arrow is released.

After some searching, we found a bow even I could handle.

A series of targets are placed 20 yards back from the shooting area. Standing sideways, I gripped the bow with my left hand and pulled the bow with my right, tucking my right hand next to my chin. The trick is to hold the bow steady and let go without pushing your hand. You open your hand suddenly, as if dropping change.

After a few tries, I got the hang of it.

Then, suddenly, THWACK!

I hit the target almost dead center.

OK, so it wasn't the one I was aiming at, but . . .

"We never say wrong target," Knickerbocker said. "Even when the little kids hit the target clear on the other side of the wall, we ask if that was the one they were shooting at, and they say `yes.' Then we say, `Good job.' "

Great. I had now reached the ability of a 5-year-old.

After about nine tries, I was exhilarated by the sport, but my arm was ready to fall off.

Were I to keep it up, I might be proficient in a year, Knickerbocker assured me.

Incidentally, this Sherwood Forest reference is not pure fantasy. If you're such a perfect shot you drive one arrow into the other, that's called "having a Robin Hood." I'd settle for being Maid Marian.

Got a great idea for a local getaway? Give us a call at 946-3970 or write to us at South County Life, 31620 23rd Ave. S., Suite 312, Federal Way, WA 98003. --------------------------------------------------------------- -- If you go: Knickerbocker Archery - Highway 169 and Southeast 272nd Street. To get there from the Renton area, take Highway 169 south to Southeast 272nd Street. From points further south, take Highway 18 to the Kent-Kangley exit and drive about five miles to Highway 169. The range is located behind a strip mall at Highway 169 and Southeast 272nd Street. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. 432-1188