3D Archery Shoots in Montana
If you've never tried your hand at competitive archery, now is a great time to start! It's finally spring, and 3D archery season is charging full steam ahead.
Here in central Montana, there is no excuse for not getting your bow out of the case and getting in a full summer of practice on the 3D courses. From now until August, there is a shoot nearly every weekend within 2 hours of Great Falls including several local events.
3D shoots are something that all archers should attend for several different reasons.
You can find Montana state's current list of 3D shoots online HERE.
Shoot at Life-sized Game Animals
While not everyone will draw tags for moose, sheep, or caribou, it's still good practice because you're shooting at animals that are similar in size to what you will be chasing. Most clubs have several fun targets well. Who doesn't like a chance to put an arrow in a Bigfoot, T-Rex, or Jack-a-lope just kidding, jack-a-lopes are real albeit very cagey animals!
Putting yourself in realistic hunting situations with real animals all summer means that you'll be able to keep your cool (at least a little bit!) when at full draw this fall.
Leave your Range Finder at Home
Most clubs set up their shoots as unmarked yardage. Learning how to judge distance is a skill that requires both time and practice- kind of like shooting a bow, come to think of it. While most of us utilize the technology of a range finder while afield, there are situations that don't afford us the 5-10 seconds it takes to use one. Spending a summer shooting unknown yardages will give you a huge advantage in the fall when that bull comes charging in to your calls!
Here are the accessories you need to get outfitted for a 3D shoot.
As a side note, check with your club about the use of range finders before shooting a 3D match. Some clubs will allow them, but those scores are not eligible for awards.
Bring your Hiking Boots
Many, if not most, of the shoots here in Montana have a lot of elevation change along the course. For those of us that hunt in the mountains or in open country, it's good practice to put a few miles on while shooting; not just back and forth on flat ground.
It's a Great Family Event
With movies and TV shows (Robin Hood, Hunger Games, Arrow, and Brave come to mind) putting archery at the forefront, the number of young shooters in our sport has grown considerably over the past few years. Most of the shoots have someone selling hot dogs and hamburgers for lunch and provide an almost picnic atmosphere. What better way to spend good quality time with children, nieces, and nephews than taking them with you to an archery shoot!
The Rules of 3D Archery are Simple
Each target will generally have 3 different stakes, or shooting positions adult compound, youth / traditional, and cub / chick. Once you have estimated the yardage of the shot, you must shoot with part of your body touching the stake. This makes for some very interesting shooting positions if there are overhanging branches or shrubbery in the way! Each target has several different scoring rings. Most clubs run either a 10-8-5 or 3-2-1 scoring system. The body of the animal is a 5 or 1, the vitals (outer scoring ring) are 8 or 2, and the heart (inner scoring ring) is a 10 or 3. Inside the 10 ring there might also be an even smaller scoring ring, generally called the X ring. Most clubs only count X's for tie breakers. In major competitive events like the ASA or IBO, they may count the X ring as 12.
Find and enter the latest 3D archery shoots in Montana.
If you are attending the shoot to see how your score stacks up against other competitors, it would be wise to bring along a good pair of binoculars. Not all targets are created equal, and not every target has an X ring where the center of the heart would be. In order to score well, you not only need to have your yardage figured out, you also need to know where to put the arrow.
No more excuses! Get out your bow, put on your boots, and come join us this summer at one of the many 3D shoots Montana has to offer!