John Yount's Achievements

In 1929 John shot his first arrow into the air, and started to make a name for himself in the sport of field archery. In 1934 he started a little archery club. He described, "We liked to go rabbit hunting, but we couldn't hit the broadside of a barn. We were shooting like target shooters where you know the exact distance".

So in 1935 in the hills of Redlands, California, the very first official roving range was built and adopted. It's pioneer of pioneers was John L. Yount. It consisted of mixing field excursions with their target tournaments. The course had 27 targets spread out over 50 to 75 acres of rugged land with trails between targets. The longest shot being 160 yards across a raven.. being there was no targets, just mounds of dirt was used.

By 1939 archers had embraced that type of shooting and the N.F.A.A. was born. John created the first National Field Archery Association Handbook, and designed the familiar stump and arrow insignia. His design was his idea of how an 'instinctive' archer cared more about fun, and not about trophies.

John became the secretary for which he helped to organize and built an office behind his house for the staff he eventually employed in the National Field Archery Association, and it served as national headquarters. For several years eight secretaries worked full time on membership and trophy records in the office. Membership grew across the country and included people from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Mexico, South America and Europe. It became big enough to have hunting associations in all the states, and that resulted in certain laws for archery. In 1944 John was the Recipient of the National Archery Association's Thompson Medal of Honor, for his dedication an effort.

In 1958 John retired from his position in the N.F.A.A. According to a 1971 story in the Redlands paper, John was not only serious about archery but a citrus grower, and had been Redlands city’s water meter reader, as well a great dog trainer.

In 1974 John Yount was inducted into the The Archery Hall of Fame & Museum with Dorothy Cummings, Harry Drake, and Doug Easton.

Notes of Interest

• Founder, North American Field Archery; led to the formation of the National Field Archery Association, 1939

• Secretary/ Treasurer, National Field Archery Association, 1939-58

• Field Captain, National Archery Association's National Tournament, 1935

• Created the first National Field Archery Association Handbook and designed the familiar stump and arrow insignia

• Recipient, National Archery Association's Thompson Medal of Honor, 1944