Not if his loved ones have anything to say about it.

For instance, about a week ago, on Feb. 19, dozens of archers converged on the show ring at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds for the first Gavin Maines Shoot Down, an event that the hosts Border Brigade Archery hope to make an annual event.

Evan Appleby took top prize.

“It was heartwarming to see Evan win the shoot down,” said Peggy Miller, Maines’ grandmother. “He had been shooting with Gavin’s funeral program in his archery quiver since last spring.”

-Submitted photo
Archers joined the competition during the Gavin Maines Shoot Down in the show ring at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds on Feb. 19. The event was hosted by Webster City-based Border Brigade Archery.

Maines, a bit of a super star local archer, should have graduated with the Webster City High School class of 2022, but his life was lost in an accident in late March.

“It was heartwarming to see the archery community in the state of Iowa come together and support this event,” Miller said. “Last fall, four college-aged archers received scholarships in Gavin’s name. Because of this event, BBA club will be able to award scholarships again this spring.”

Border Brigade Archery, an archery club based out of Webster City, “encourages the sport of archery, emphasizes ethical hunting practices, and promotes conservation,” its website says. “We do this in a fun, family-oriented environment through education and practice.”

According to Miller, 38 archers competed for the top prize of $500. Though both Appleby and Roland Deason made it to the final bracket, it was Appleby who won.

“An anonymous donor from Pennsylvania (to be used at the family’s discretion) enabled a second place prize to go to Roland Deason,” Miller said.

Gavin Maines

The archers came from all over Iowa, from South Dakota and Minnesota, Miller said. Buena Vista University participated with six shooters of their inaugural archery team.

“It was a big day with many surprises and events,” Miller said. “Scholarship applications were available for students. Center X Archery, Humboldt, and Xpedition Archery, Decorah, donated a Perfexion OG Bow for a raffle, (Gavin’s was pro-staff with Xpedition and Center-X) with the winner being Remington Hanson of Belmond. They were treated to pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans by Mitch’s Meat, along with coleslaw, brownies and peach cobbler.”

Looking forward, Miller said Border Brigade Archery will hold a youth bow raffle on Aug. 13 at the Gavin Maines Outdoor 3D Shoot.