I've shot a bow of some sort for most of my life, but I've never shot on a range or established shooting area before, except when trying out some bows at a couple of trad archery expos. So tonight I decided to go and see what it was like to try the local indoor 3-D course.
It was funny... there were 4 compound shooters there... I had never shot at a 3D target before, and was asking a lot of questions, showing my ignorance. They were very interested in my longbow, and recommended that I not try the long shots. (All targets were between 20-45 yards.) I took all the long shots nonetheless, and the owner said in the end that I outshot some half of the compound shooters that they see there! Wow! I was surprised at that.
They were a nice group of guys and a gal, and they all literally put their bows down and came over to watch me, arms folded, to see me shoot my LB. I told them, "You sure know how to make a guy nervous!" And we all laughed. They were very complimentary, regardless of the type of bow I was shooting. As far as shooting that type of target goes, I can see how this is great practice for the 'unprogrammable' hunting shot.
One comment that they made was that my arrows flew very straight out of my bow; one guy even came and stood behind me to get a better look. Evidently, a lot of the arrows they've seen coming from trad bows haven't been tuned well. I have Ken Beck (Black Widow) and a whole lot of TradGangers to thank for teaching me how to properly tune an arrow. Thank you all!
So, I was pretty surprised at how fun the experience was; I'll go again and again, I think. If you haven't tried 3D for bowhunting practice, you should!
Archie
3D is a blast and there are always those that are surprised that someone can do so well without sights.
I always shoot alone, roving in the woods or shooting in my backyard or basement. I have rarely seen anyone else shoot in person. I've gotten a few people involved in trad archery, but that's about it for my interaction with other archers. I watch trad DVDs and videos on YouTube, and glean from them. Growing up, it was me, dad, and my brother, shooting in the yard or in the big woods. So I was pretty jittery with all these people watching me.
I'd never watched compound shooters on a range, either. They were just sticking arrows on the center "x" in 5 little circles on a paper, like the 5 dots on a 'dice'. Over and over, pop-pop-pop-pop-pop. I can see that it takes a lot of discipline to do that, but the longbow is a whole lot more to my liking.
Archie, you should really try one of those 3 D shoots where they have 25 to 30 targets set up off a path in the woods! Those are allot of fun!!!
3D is a blast, You should get out to a field 3D shoot. Walking a course and some what realistic hunting shots and its great for hunting practice. I go to a lot of them, its the only way to get out of my back yard 20 yard shot. Plus the people you meet not to mention the fun.
I'm glad to know you had fun 1st and foremost and you met some nice folks even if they weren't using the same equipment. (they are just good people too, like most of us)
I am considering shooting in the Rhineheart100 next month. They have some wold 3D targets and 50 of them per round.
It goes on for 2 days. Could be fun?
God bless,Mudd
It is a lot of fun and it will keep getting better. Wait until you shoot with other stick bow shooters, you will have a blast.
The group I shoot with we joke and have a really good time. Good for you and remember to have fun and enjoy yourself.
I am lucky that here we have a couple of different places that have monthly traditional 3D shoots along with three or four the state Traditional organizational puts on.
All of them are pretty casual but have 20/30 3D targets set in natural wooded settings. A lot of laughing and fellowship, swapping bows and lies and usually involves eating too.
Our course designers are expert at making sure something is between you and the target :rolleyes:
Lots of fun and great practice as well
Mudd, I'd join you to shoot some of those "wold" 3D targets, too, if I could! Maybe even get fitted with one of your hats while I was at it!
3D is a blast. I haven't been able to make as many as I'd like, but hope to do a bunch of them this year.
I almost always shoot alone, but the times I've been around compound shooter's my experience has been the same as yours; curiosity and respect. The jerks, either trad or compounders, are few and far between.
Archie meet me in Columbia Missouri for the shoot and I'll greet you with a hat in hand.
God bless,Mudd
:bigsmyl: :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl: We better watch it or you will get hooked shooting 3D courses with your buddys.
Mudd...
That's 390 miles from my front door. Plus, if I made it down that far, I'd have to go all the way to Branson to visit family there. And once in Branson, I'd have to go to Nixa to the Black Widow shop. And I'd be so tempted to buy something I shouldn't. It could put my happy marriage in jeopardy. I just can't put myself into such a dangerous situation...