Page 29 - January/February 2023 Outdoor Oklahoma

It’s easy to brag if it’s true. But to be humble when you’re one of the
world’s best is a different matter.
Shiloh Butts, 35, of Sulphur has many reasons to brag when it comes USA ARCHERY VIA FACEBOOK
to his accomplishments in competitive archery:
• 2014 International Bowhunters Organization longbow world champion.
• 2015 IBO selfbow world champion.
• 2017 IBO longbow world champion.
• 2021 IBO selfbow world champion.
And on Sept. 10, 2022, competing with the best archers from 28
nations around the world, Butts reached a new high by bringing home
a bronze medal from the 2022 World Archery 3D Championships in
Terni, Italy.
Even after all that, Butts is probably among the humblest of people
you’ll ever meet.
“I truly believe the great Lord above blessed me with a gift and
planted the seed deep down in me, and all of those who’ve crossed A thumbs-up after winning the bronze medal in Italy.
my path in this great sport have helped to water that seed and keep
me pushing on.
“Having the privilege of shooting on the “Archery has been a part of me since I was a little boy
world stage against the best of the best, making bows out of cedar trees from the pasture,
knowing I had support from so many folks,
both far and near, absolutely helped propel using steak knives from the kitchen — because that’s
me to where I ended up.” how they did it on ‘Robin Hood .’”
Butts started in archery as a youngster in 4H.
“Archery has been a part of me since I was a little boy making bows
out of cedar trees from the pasture, using steak knives from the kitch-
en — because that’s how they did it on ‘Robin Hood.’ Throughout
my teenage years, driving home on my lunch period just to shoot
my bow for 25 or so minutes
before my next class, and then
return in the evening after work DON P. BROWN/ODWC
to shoot until I couldn’t see the
target anymore.
“I eat, sleep and dream
every second of the day shoot-
ing my bow.
“And now, having the privi-
lege of shooting on the world
stage against the best of the
best,” Butts said of the path
he’s traveled.
His home range is the
Stratford Sportsmen’s Club, and
he credits his buddies there for
helping him reach the world-
class status he enjoys now.

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