Bad to the Bow: Archery expert Addington inspires smiles with special talent

Frank Addington Jr. was 18 when his mentor and Archery Hall of Famer, Rev. Stacy Groscup, challenged him to shoot a Pepsi can out of mid-air. At the time, Addington tossed targets for Groscup while quietly hoping to one day get his shot.

“He threw it up, and I hit the can,” said Addington recalling that moment 33 years ago. “That very day, he put me in from of an audience.”

Since then, Addington has earned a name in exhibition archery, shooting his bow behind his back and booking gigs across the country. This weekend, he brings his unique brand of shooting to the Texas Hunters & Sportsman’s Expo at the McAllen Convention Center.

Because of Addington’s “crazy-good vision,” he said, shooting instinctively — focusing on the target rather than the weapon or an aiming device — is his style, which he calls the Groscup Method, named after his late friend.

Growing up, Addington’s parents owned a retail archery business. He said he had a bow in his hands since the age of 4. His accuracy and 20/8 vision made him a prime candidate for Junior Olympic Archery Development.

“I didn’t even last a day. I didn’t feel comfortable,” he said. “I pretty much decided that I’d rather be the master of what I do than try to be mediocre at other stuff. I just wanted to develop my style of shooting and focus on it.”

Specifically for moving targets and quick shots, he said, instinctive shooting is the best way to shoot. Shooters can be very precise with sights, his approach helps him with fast-paced shot and hitting objects in mid-air. By taking all his from behind the back, he says that demonstrates that he isn’t lining up his arrow.

“I always ask the audience, ‘I don’t have any eyes in the back of my head, right?’” he asked rhetorically.

Audiences this weekend will see Addington hit targets of decreasing size. But his most impressive shot will be hitting something only a few millimeters wide — grains mustard seeds.

Aiming at small targets isn’t anything for exhibition shooters. Groscup was the first to hit an aspirin tablet, Addington said, and the only to strike seven in a row.

The 51-year-old continues to honor Groscup, a man he called his “second father,” in his show by shooting baby aspirin, sometimes multiple at a time.

And while he has the audience’s attention, he encourages families to spend time together outdoors without their devices. Addington has performed for all types of people from all walks of life, he said, but “those smiles are the same in all those markets.”

He calls his eyesight a gift given from God, and says we all have talents that should be developed.

“It’s a win-win deal,” he said. “They’re entertained by the fancy shooting, but the message resonates with families.”

28th ANNUAL TEXAS HUNTERS AND SPORTSMAN’S EXPO

The expo will feature vendors booths and exhibits for anglers, sportsmen, women and more.

WHEN 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

WHERE McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd., McAllen

COST $12 per adult, $10 per senior citizen, ages 12 and under free