Josh Marrujo started shooting archery when he was 2 1/2 years old. We bought him a red Lil apache Bow. He started shooting at a target with balloons on it in our basement. The better he got, the smaller the balloons he arrowed. He quickly grew out of shooting at balloons.

Josh entered his first 3-D competition in Stanley, N.D., when he was 4. He was excited. He kept watching all the adults shoot.

As Josh has grown during the years, so have his bows. Right now he's pulling back 15 pounds. His bow has no sight on it, so it's considered a bare bow. He does not use a release with his bow, but instead relies on his fingers.

Last year, he was very successful shooting at competitions around the state. He received second place in the cubs (ages 7-12) category in the towns of Hazen and Dickinson, and at the state shoot in Bismarck. Josh is considered a "mite," but chose to shoot in the older bracket category. Josh is looking forward to this year's season of indoor shoots.

One of Josh's favorite things to do is to practice shooting at 3-D targets that we set up in our yard. When the weather doesn't cooperate, he knows that he can go up to the 3-D range at DHD Tackle in Minot, which is about 30 miles away. Last year on his birthday, he was given a choice of whatever he wanted to do. We all ended up at DGD shooting our bows. Josh likes to give his mom and sister pointers on how to shoot the correct way. His sister, Brianna, is shooting his Lil Apache Bow.

Josh is patiently waiting until he is old enough to go out hunting for himself. Until then, he enjoys going along with his dad. He helps him put up tree stands. Josh sits in the ground blind. He is also getting pretty efficient at scouting with his dad. He likes to find the deer tracks first.