Bushwackers Archery Club

Bushwackers Archery Club runs a full tournament schedule across Hawaii's archery community. Their 2025 lineup includes:

• •Spring 3D Hunters Challenge — March 22, 2025
• •Mid Year 3D Tournament — May 24, 2025
• •Peter Akau Memorial Shoot — July 26, 2025 (honors a club founder)
• •Fall 3D Challenge — October 18, 2025
• •State 3D Unmarked — December 13, 2025

Each tournament features multiple divisions: Freestyle, Freestyle Bowhunter, and Traditional. The club also competes in events hosted by other Hawaii archery organizations like Kaʻohe GMA and participates in statewide hunts on Lanaʻi and Big Island.

The club operates from the historic Fort Barrette location, home to the Pu'u O Kapolei Archery Range. The course features 28 animal-shaped 3D targets along a trail—all custom-built by club member Leslie Cerovich, the club's Director. The range was recently featured in Hawaiian Airlines' Hana Hou! magazine for its unique blend of historic preservation and archery sport.

Members shoot everything from recurve and compound bows to various hunting setups. The terrain tests real-world hunting conditions that archers will face in the field.

Top performers at the 2024 Bushwacker Cup included Stephen Gade (Freestyle Champion, 470 points), Cameron Baron (Freestyle Bowhunter Champion, 459 points), and Jorge Gonzales (Traditional Champion, 254 points). Winners take home custom-engraved trophies that rotate annually.

Bushwackers offers beginner through advanced archery instruction:

• •Keiki (youth) archery lessons — family-friendly introduction to the sport
• •Adult archery lessons — all skill levels welcome
• •Hunting-focused training — preparing archers for field conditions
• •Tournament coaching — working with competitors on accuracy and strategy

Their "Lunch and Learn" event brought in Jason Misaki from DLNR-DOFAW to discuss Hawaii hunting regulations and bowhunting as a sustainable cultural practice. The club actively recruits new members and recently welcomed Jorge Gonzales, who competed in the Traditional division just weeks after joining.

Club leadership participates in legitimate field hunts:

• •Big Island 2-Day Hunt — Vice President John Cerovich took a ram and ewe; Director Dane Asato hunted a ram; member Makana Macomber secured an ewe; instructor Stephen Gade got a ram in 30-40°F mountain conditions
• •Lanaʻi State Axis Hunt — Director Dane Asato successfully hunted axis deer
• •Saddle Hunting — Officer Cameron Baron uses tree-harness hunting methods, recently harvesting for his son's first birthday celebration

Members process and pack their harvest to bring home to families on Oahu. Hunting trips serve as real-world testing for tournament skills.

• •President: Willie Pelayre — drives club direction and event planning

• •Vice President: John Cerovich — coordinates course builds and tournament logistics

• •Director: Dane Asato — leads instruction and field operations; with wife Denise

• •Director: Leslie Cerovich — creates all custom 3D animal targets for the range

• •Officer: Cameron Baron — head of security; grandson of founder Peter Akau

• •Officer: Stephen Gade — instructor and competitive shooter

The club emphasizes ʻohana (family) values. The Asato family runs lunches at events. Members bring spouses, kids, and friends. Recent events included potluck celebrations with family and friends after competitions.

Beyond competitions, Bushwackers hosts:

• •Bushwacker Cup — First held summer 2024; custom course built by club members; top shooters get rotating trophy; followed by family potluck
• •Lunch and Learn — Hands-on booths covering recurve, compound, tournament tips, safety, and range tours; guest speakers on hunting regulations; prize giveaways including free family memberships
• •Newsletter signup — "Bushwacker News" keeps members updated on tournaments, events, and club happenings
• •Members-only section — Private pages for scores, results, and club resources

The club maintains an equipment listing for members buying and selling archery gear. Recent members have included new shooters looking to get outfitted.

Membership options include:

• •Individual memberships
• •Family memberships (includes keiki)
• •Trial/non-member tournament entry (at select events)

Membership benefits include tournament participation, range access, instruction opportunities, and participation in organized hunts. The club actively recruits at public events and through word-of-mouth.