By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— To ensure hunters are prepared for the start of bowhunting season in October, Michael McAlpine decided to host a Broadheads, Bows and BBQ event at Oak Mountain State Park’s new archery facility.

As the Alabama liaison for the Urban Deer Control Program and a member of both the Shelby County Bowhunters and Bowhunters of Alabama, McAlpine thought this event would be a good opportunity to bring all the aspects of bowhunting to one event.

“It’s going to be a very fun event,” McAlpine said. “I’ve kind of combined three different things: 3-D archery, a vendor set up and then I brought the bow technicians. It is really going to be a fun weekend.”

Broadheads, Bows and BBQ will be Sept. 19 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. The event costs $15 for shooters and also includes a plate of barbecue with sides a drink. Barbecue plates alone are $5.

McAlpine said they will have 20 life-sized, 3-D targets in the woods, and he will have a supply of about 25-30 different broadheads for hunters to try out for free. The event features the archery tournament along with a practice range.

Bow technicians, officials from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and vendors from Van’s Sporting Goods, Grabow Outdoors, HDC Gunsmithing, New Bree Archery and Field and Stream will also be at the event.

McAlpine will also offer a safety instruction course for people interested in learning the craft.

“The Bowhunters of Alabama, we are a hunting organization,” McAlpine said. “In the off-season we have 3-D shoots, so most people have 3-D equipment and they have bowhunting equipment. I was trying to get people geared up for hunting season and make sure their equipment is ready to go for hunting season.”

The event is open to the public, and McAlpine said it’s an event for the whole family. He said he’s looking forward to seeing the turnout on Sept. 19.

“I am 100 percent wide-open cannot wait,” McAlpine said. “When I started this event I was wanting a minimum of 300 people on the 3-D range and an additional 500 barbecue plates sold. If I stick with that, it will be awesome. I’m hoping for a really great turnout.”

For more information, call 296-3775 or visit Discovershelby.com/calendar.