Chickasaw world-class archer Shiloh Butts could probably do what William Tell is supposed to have done. Thankfully it is not one of the competition shots he must make when shooting a Chickasaw long bow. It is his preferred weapon to win first-place medals in archery competitions throughout the nation. His wife Sahara (left) is his main fan.
TISHOMINGO, OK-In 1307, William Tell used a crossbow bolt to halve an apple balanced atop his son's head...or so legend has it.
Chickasaw world-class archer Shiloh Butts could probably do it, too, but thankfully it is not one of the competition shots he must make when shooting a Chickasaw long bow. It is his preferred weapon to win first-place medals in archery competitions throughout the nation.
For the 28-year-old pharmacist, targets are the size of pie plates, softballs and half dollar coins. If you put an arrow in the pie plate it is 8 points; the softball is 10 points, and half dollar is 11 points.
"I have won so many first-place belt buckles they are stuffed in a drawer at my house," he explained. "We've just run out of room to display them."
Competitions can last up to three days. He compares archery competition to golf. If he is able to shoot in the 270-280-point range, he knows he will finish high in competition.
"Hitting a softball-sized target would be the equivalent of a birdie in golf. Placing an arrow in the half dollar target would be an eagle," Butts explained. "I just go and shoot to the best of my ability that particular day. Some days are better than others."
Just weeks ago, Butts was crowned the International Bowhunters Organization champion in a Tennessee shoot.
So, how many championships has the Chickasaw citizen and tribal employee picked up in the course of competing 15 years?
"I lost count a long time ago," he said with a laugh.
If you visit the home he shares with wife, Sahara, shoebox after shoebox after shoebox is sorted through to find the first-place awards. It isn't disinterest in them; each is labeled with the date and score he shot to win them. There just is not a place to put them in his rural Sulphur home.
