A 3-D shoot or tournament is an archery event where
the archers are shooting at life-sized animal targets. A 3-D shoot may
have 20-60 targets. Most shoots are just one day shoots, but some can
be 2 day events. They are all unique in their own style.
They can also offer a challenge for novice and pro alike, and fun for
everyone!
Targets: 3-D animal targets
range from small animals such as gophers, squirrels, and ducks, to large
animals such as elk, moose, and buffalo. The targets are made
of high density foam for stopping arrows, and are sculpted to give a
realistic appearance of the animal. Oranco uses Rhinehart &
McKenzie targets.
Some clubs may have standard animal targets, including
gophers, ducks, pigs, deer, antelope, and bears. Other clubs may
have more exotic animals, such as lions, tigers, crocodiles, and elephants.
Other targets have included larger-than-life bugs such as a 6-foot tall
mosquito or cockroach or space alien monsters. The variety is
up the the imagination of the maker.
Distances: The 3-D shoot may
have all marked or all unmarked distances, depending on the club hosting
the event. Distances can range from straight down, to a couple
of feet, to 80 yards or more. Average distances are 10-50 yards.
The archer will shoot from a marker or "stake" where the club wants
the archer for the shot. Clubs will have closer "cub stakes" for
the younger kids to shoot from.
Marked distances are known distances. The distance
will be indicated next to the shooting spot for the target.
Unmarked distances are just that. They are unknown
to the archer. The archer will have to visually judge the distance
from the shooting spot to the target, and then shoot his/her arrow accordingly.
The closer you are to figuring the correct distance, the closer you
will be to hitting the target.
Shots are usually made from standard standing positions,
but some clubs add spice by creating shots from a sitting position,
from a boat, or a platform. You may be shooting level, up, or
down. You may be shooting in a level field, on a hill, across
streams or ponds, through trees, bushes, or into a ravine. It
all depends on the archery club.
Scoring: Each animal will have
scoring rings on the body, usually in the chest area, which may or may
not be visible from a distance. The animal will have two rings:
a smaller inner ring, and a larger outer ring. The inner ring
(the "vital" ring) will be the highest score for the target. The
outer ring (the "wound" ring) will be a lesser score. Hitting
the target outside the rings will count for the minimum score for the
target.
Many clubs use a 10-8-5 scoring system. This scores
as 10 points for hitting inside the inner ring, 8 points for hitting
somewhere inside the outer ring, and 5 points for hitting anywhere else
on the animal. Most targets have a "x" or "12-ring" at the very
center. Some clubs score this as 12 points, some count it as part
of the 10-ring. Generally, if the arrow touches the ring for the
higher score, it counts. Missing the animal completely or
not having the arrow stick (a glancing shot) counts as zero points.
Most 3-D shoots are one-arrow-per-target. The archer shoots only
one arrow at the target, scores the shot, and moves to the next target.
Bonus targets: Some clubs may
have a "bonus" target set up next to a regular target on their course.
These targets are more difficult to hit, but are worth more points than
the regular target. Bonus targets are usually worth 20 points.
An example might be a small squirrel sitting next to a moose at 60 yards.
If the archer shoots at the moose, it counts for the regular score.
If the archer decides to try for the squirrel and hits it, it counts
for the bonus score. Missing the squirrel would count for zero
points. And the archer moves to the next target.
Some bonus targets are made of steel plate. These
can be very intimidating. The steel targets are silhouettes (maybe
a pig or fox) with a large hole in the center. The hole is about
the same size as the "wound" ring for that animal. The target
is usually set out between 10-25 yards distance. Making the arrow
through the hole scores the bonus score. Hitting the steel body
counts as zero points, and destroys the arrow with a loud "DING!"
Everybody around knows you missed the target! These targets can
be a real adrenaline rush for the archer, knowing that if they make
the shot, they have extra points, and if they miss, they have one less
arrow in their quiver. (Tip: If you can hit inside a "wound" ring,
you can make it through the hole! - It just looks worse than it is.)
Group Shots: These can make
a particular shot more fun and challenging. Group shots can be
different in numbers, but try to picture a herd of 10 deer targets:
3 bucks, 5 does, and 2 fawns, all mingling together. This is all
one target. You only can shoot one of the bucks. You pick
which buck you want to try for. If you hit it, congratulations,
you score! If you hit a doe instead, it may be minus 5 points.
If you hit a fawn, it may be minus 20 points! Ouch!
Cost: The cost varies from
club to club. In the Southern California area, the average adult
admission price is $20. Most clubs offer prices for families and
kids, with a $5.00 discount for having a CBH card. Two-day shoots
can be more.
So that's what a 3-D shoot is about. They are
animal targets, set at various distances, offering fun for everyone.
Some shoots can be very basic, and some can be very elaborate.
Elaborate shoots can even include "running" or "flying" animal targets.
Some can have scene decorations. Each club will have their own guidelines
for their 3-D shoot, so if you have any questions, ask someone at the
shoot. They're always fun, and always stimulate your archery skills.
So get out there and enjoy!
Oranco holds 5 major 42-target 3-D shoots each year and several league shoots.
Check the Oranco calendar for dates and flyers.
