Fans of ‘The Hunger Games’ Flock to Learn Archery

Zombies, Vampires, now Archers? The popularity of the movie 'The Hunger Games' is driving teens to learn archery. According to the NY Daily News:

The city’s two indoor archery ranges, both located in Queens, report as much as a 75% spike in traffic since buzz started swirling around the now blockbuster movie.

Joe McGlyn, co-owner of Pro Line Archery, said 18- to 30-year-old fans of the series began flocking to his Ozone Park range about four months ago.

“You’ve got to get there early to get a spot now,” said Pro Line regular, Jack Denley.

Hunger Games enthusiasts come in as novices, McGlyn said, but by lesson three, “they start to develop a very solid technique.”

“We show them how to hold the bow, the safety aspect for shooting, the whole concept,” said McGlyn, who will be competing in the Olympic trials for archery this year.

No need for newbies to feel shy, he said. Archers are happy their often-ignored sport is getting some attention.

“It’s exciting to see the young kids getting involved, which is great,” said Denley, who took his young daughters Bridgette, 11, and Katelyn, 10, to see the film opening night.

It’s obvious to the trained eye that Lawrence worked with an Olympian marksman, Denley said.

“The skills and the technique were excellent,” he said of the film, which shattered box office records last week.

I don't know if the fad will stick around long, but hey why not? I will say this, archery is a lot cooler than the whole vampire craze that Twilight started. I haven't seen 'The Hunger Games', but I think it's pretty cool that people are getting interested in archery because of it. Has a movie ever inspired you to take on a new hobby?