Here's one on 3D I wrote. If anyone else would like to add anything, please do. I'll put together a nice writeup for our tradjournal on this once everything has been contributed and thanks to those of you who have already pitched in!
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3D Archery
3D archery is the most popular shooting competition for bowhunters and is enjoyed widely by target shooters, as well. This sport started as a 2D target shoot with foam silhouettes of animals and scoring rings of 10 for a "kill" and "6" for a hit outside the kill zone. Ranges initially were out to 60 yards or more. This started in the early 80's.
3D, as we know it today started in the late 80's with the first All McKenzie 3D target shoot being held at Triangle Lakes in Middletown, Ohio, the birthplace of the IBO. Since then the sport has been refined and has spread overseas to become an international sport.
Today, there are two organizations that sponsor the major shoots. The ASA (Archery Shooters Association
http://www.asaarchery.com/) and the IBO (International Bowhunting Organization
http://www.ibo.net)
Most shoots, however, are what we have come to known as local or club shoots. These are usually sponsored by area archery clubs. They're an important source of revenue for the archery clubs and they offer a great resource to area archers who take advantage of them.
In many areas of the country, 3D shoots are held every weekend from March through August and some areas have shoots most weekends year round.
Shoots are set up so that there are many classes usually separated by age, sex and most importantly, equipment classifications. For traditional archers, there are usually 1 or 2 classes for traditional archers. Shoots are usually 30 targets set out around a course with two segments of 15 targets each. The trails are usually scenic and set in woodland settings. Shots may be up or down hills, between trees, across streams or fields and there are often some unique targets and target setups as a sort of signature shot for many clubs.
The targets are set at unmarked distances normally less than 35 yards with 18 to 25 yards being very common distances for traditional archers. There are usually a number of shooting stakes. The "high tech" classes have the stakes farthest from the target (out to 50 yards or so) and, of course, the traditional archers have much closer stakes. The distances are unmarked and the scoring rings may be difficult or impossible to see. You shoot the animal target for where the vitals rings would be from the stake provided. One foot must touch members of the shooting group may not discuss the distance to the target, keeping it fair for all. Judging the distance accurately is critical to shooting 3D well and it is just as critical for shooting live game. This is extremely good practice for bowhunters.
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Groups in local shoots are usually impromptu gatherings of 3 to 5 individuals who head out together to shoot the course. It's easy to get into a group if you come alone and if it's your first shoot, you'll find the archers very helpful, inviting and accommodating.
All archers in a group take turns shooting at each target from the shooting stake and once all archers have shot, the group approaches the target to score the arrows and then pull them from the target. All Scoring MUST be done before any arrows are pulled. The scoring scheme for most shoots is 10-8-5. There is a very small ring, which may be considered an "x" or scored for 11. The circular ring the centers the heart lung area of a target is the 10 (the x-ring is within that ring). The 8-ring is a large and is designed to outline the full heart/lung/liver area of the vitals. It is usually not round and usually covers the area from the spine to the lower lung area. It covers roughly 2/3 of the target top to bottom and extends normally from about the middle of the front leg and encompasses most of the rib cage area.
When in doubt on deer type targets, shooting at the rear line of the front leg and 1/3 of the way up the target's torso will usually be in the 10-ring.
If you are not worried about a score and feel that a target is too far, too small or too hard for you to get a hit in the animal and you are worried about losing or breaking arrows, you can pass on the target. You aren't required to shoot each one, so don't feel compelled to take shots you feel would result in a lost or damaged arrow that you can't afford.
The cost of a shoot is usually $10.00 and they're usually held from around 7:00 am through 12:00 pm on Sunday mornings. If you are an experienced shooter and want to avoid lines or slow groups of compound shooters which can be rather meticulous and slow about their shooting and scoring, come very early or plan to shoot toward the very end of the shoot after most have finished the course. Either one will usually result in a quick trip around the targets for you.
Most shoots at clubs offer some sort of snacks or meals at the clubhouse for very reasonable prices. Some shoots are known for having very good food. J
These shoots are a great way to get out during the spring and summer to tune yourself and your bow for the coming fall season - or just because you enjoy the walking and shooting. These types of gatherings are a fantastic way to get to learn more about archery from equipment to techniques and is a good way to make new friends. These shoots are also great fun for kids and there are classes for the youngsters with targets set to help the youngsters achieve a happy level of success.