Archery Goes Public in Eagle: What You Need to Know About the New Range and the Debate Ahead

A New Spot for Archers in the Treasure Valley

If you’ve been looking for a place to practice archery without paying membership fees or traveling far out of town, Eagle just gave you one. The city has officially opened a free public archery range at Willow Creek Shooting Sports Park.

This 80-acre park has been years in the making, and while only the archery portion is open right now, it’s already drawing in locals from hunters gearing up for the season to casual shooters wanting a new hobby.

The big draw? No fees. No memberships. Just grab your bow, head out, and start practicing.

What the New Range Offers

The archery range isn’t just a couple of targets in a field. It’s been designed with both beginners and seasoned archers in mind.

• Target Ranges: Great for sighting in your bow and practicing accuracy.

• 3D Archery Courses: Life-size animal targets for hunters who want realistic practice.

• Open to All: Whether you’re a kid trying archery for the first time, a bowhunter prepping for the season, or someone looking for a new weekend activity, the range is designed for everyone.

  
  

City planners say more improvements are on the way. Thanks to grant funding, 2026 will bring a restroom and automated gate system to make the facility more user-friendly.

Why Archery Matters Here

For many locals, archery is more than just a hobby. Hunters like Boise resident Mike Price who’s already at the range three days a week say the facility is essential. Practicing in backyards isn’t safe or legal in most neighborhoods, so a dedicated public space makes a huge difference.

And for Eagle, a fast-growing city where open land is harder to come by, creating designated recreation spots like this helps balance community growth with lifestyle.

The Bigger Debate: Funding a Separate Facility

Here’s where things get complicated. While the public archery range is up and running, the firearms portion of Willow Creek Shooting Sports Park is still on hold.

At the same time, a separate group, the nonprofit Crowfoot Range, is pushing to build its own member-based shooting facility off Highway 55. They’ve asked the City of Eagle for $250,000 in taxpayer funding to help with construction.

This has raised big questions:

• Should taxpayer dollars support a private, membership-based facility?

• Or should the city focus its resources on finishing its own public shooting sports park?

  
  

City leaders hosted a “Future of Shooting Sports” open house in August and followed up with a community survey to get residents’ input. The results will go before the Eagle City Council on September 9, where funding decisions could be made.

What’s at Stake for Eagle Residents

At first glance, it’s just about archery and shooting sports. But this decision cuts to the heart of how Eagle wants to grow as a community.

Do residents want publicly funded recreation spaces open to everyone, like the new archery range? Or is there support for partnering with private groups to expand options more quickly even if that means access is limited to paying members?

This kind of debate is becoming more common as Treasure Valley cities grow. Limited land, tight budgets, and competing interests force leaders to decide not just what gets built, but who gets to use it.

Why You Should Care (Even if You’re Not Into Archery)

Even if you’ve never picked up a bow or don’t plan to shoot at a range, this issue matters. Here’s why:

• It’s About Taxpayer Dollars: The city is deciding whether to invest public money in a private facility.

• It’s About Access: Free public ranges are rare. Supporting them means more people can get involved in outdoor recreation.

• It’s About Community Priorities: How Eagle handles this decision reflects broader questions about growth, recreation, and fairness.

Looking Ahead

For now, the Willow Creek archery range is open daily, free to use, and already becoming a local favorite. Over time, it could grow into a centerpiece for outdoor recreation in Eagle.

But the larger decision whether Eagle helps fund Crowfoot Range or keeps resources focused on its own facility will shape what shooting sports look like in the city for years to come.

If you live in Eagle, your voice matters. The City Council is reviewing survey results and weighing options on September 9.

Final Thoughts

Archery in Eagle has gone public, and that’s a win for anyone who loves the outdoors. Whether you’re an archer, a hunter, or just someone who wants to see your tax dollars used wisely, this is one of those local debates worth paying attention to.

If nothing else, the new range is a reminder of what makes the Treasure Valley special: access to outdoor recreation, strong community engagement, and a willingness to invest in quality of life.

So grab your bow or just your curiosity and check out the new range at Willow Creek. It might just become your new favorite spot.

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