A home for hunters
Local archery shop still going strong after 11 years
It all started as an offhand, non-committal dialogue between spouses.
“I think I’m going to get into archery,” one said.
“That’s nice, Dear,” was the other’s reply.
From that tight exchange came a family business, an archery range, a classroom and a gathering space for hunters who prefer a bow and arrow over a rifle and bullet: Taos Hunting Co., located at 622 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, suite E across from Taos Valley Lodge.
According to Monica Herrera, who owns the shop with her husband Marcos, that’s just how they got started.
“Well, [Marcos] mentioned that he wanted to learn how to bowhunt. So, we went down to Albuquerque, to one of those big stores, and they just sort of gave us a bow and told us to come back after 100 shoots,” Monica says. “Well, it was the wrong bow, and we didn’t know any better; we didn’t know anything. We brought it home and talked to some friends and learned all we could [about archery]. Finally, we were just like, ‘Okay. Let’s do it.’ So we opened [Taos Hunting Company.]”
The couple, along with their three children — Isabela, Vanessa and Marcdavid — along with a good-sized tax refund, opened their small hunting shop dedicated to the art of bow-hunting in 2010. Though the store does cater mostly to hunters interested in a more complex challenge, that is by no means all that Monica and Marcos’ company is.
“We used to be strictly archery,” Monica says. “But then COVID hit and we had to figure out a way to expand. So we decided fishing equipment was a natural fit. We did pretty well last winter on ice fishing [sales].”
First and foremost, Taos Hunting Co. is a store. The Herreras sell top name bows and arrows, archery equipment and targets, in addition to a newer selection of fishing equipment.
The most eye-catching and unique aspect of the shop, however, is the indoor archery range. Though it’s on the smaller side for an indoor range — 18 meters rather than the desired 25 — Monica says it is still a helpful for refining skills and finding the right equipment for each hunter who comes through their door.
“We use it all the time, “she says. “And earlier this year we competed in a target competition and my daughter placed twice. She is only 18 and she was going against
grown women. So, yeah, it helps.”
The range is the store’s main draw. Monica says it helps bring in business, but it is really there for other reasons. “Before COVID, we had classes for kids,” she says. “We would show them proper technique and talk about hunting safety and facts.”
The classes also teach simple archery, without the hunting element.
“We are more than a hunting store, “Monica says. “We have plenty of targets, 3D targets, paper targets — all kinds. And that’s the beauty of archery: It isn’t like shooting a gun. It’s something that a family can do together in their backyard.”
The pandemic shut the classes down, but she says Taos Hunting Co. fully intends to start them back up soon.
“We are ready. We just want to make sure the parents are ready and comfortable.”
The classes may be shut down for the moment, but the Herreras are still happily involved in the community. The range and shop opens up every Thursday night for League play. Contact Taos Hunting Company or visit them on Facebook for more details.