Hunting VS 3D arrows

McDave · May 23, 2013, 10:41:00 PM

If the purpose of a particular tournament is to limit the equipment to hunting bows and arrows, then the only reasonable rule would be whatever is legal to hunt with in that particular state. Setting arbitrary limits on arrow weight is not going to have any effect on a 30 year-old man shooting a 60# bow, but could stack the deck against a 75 year-old man or a 14 year-old girl who are shooting 35# bows because that's all they can handle. Is that a good result? So you say, no! no! We just don't want some hotshot coming in and winning the tournament shooting knitting needles out of a 40# bow. Well, people have a choice of what they bring to a tournament. As expressed here, most people who choose to shoot hunting equipment at tournaments have made a conscious decision that preparing for hunting is more important than winning the tournament. If some modern day Howard Hill can do both, then I'm sure he will get all the extra recognition he deserves. But for someone to make a choice to compete with less than optimal equipment, and then to complain because someone else won, just sounds silly to me.

May 23, 2013, 10:52:00 PM

I see what you are saying, McDave! I am very competitive and want to win every shoot I go to (and I go to a lot). But winning or losing is not the end-all for me. I just want to shoot well. If I shoot well for me and I win that is great! If I shoot well for me and 50 people beat me, that is great too, because I know I shot well for me. I shoot nearly every day and I strive to get better every day. I do believe that if you ever think you are "good enough" you will cease to get better.

Bisch

beachbowhunter · May 24, 2013, 12:32:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by McDave:
It really depends on what your goals are. If the only reason you shoot 3D is to get ready for hunting....I think you have your answer. I shoot 3D because I want to win, so I shoot a very light arrow out of a 40# bow: about 6.5 gpp. When I hunt, I shoot a heavier arrow out of a 55# bow: about 9 gpp. Before I hunt, I spend a week or so shooting nothing but my hunting bow, and does it ever feel heavy at first! But by the time I hunt, it feels normal. And does my target bow ever feel light when I go back to it! I think it improves my target shooting to switch over to the hunting bow for a whil e, but probably doesn't work in the other direction.

Could t have said it better myself.

Rob DiStefano · May 24, 2013, 05:47:00 AM

i don't see what purpose this topic serves. what arrows ya shoot are your business, not mine, and there will be great variances, as one can already see. but i'll render my opinion ...

i shoot the same arrow out of the same bow for *everything*.

changing the technical values for bow, string, and arrows will change how the gray matter target sight computer (yer brain) deals with arrow trajectory and point of impact at varying distances.

there's already enuf about slinging feathered shafts consistently accurately to deal with than adding in more stuff to mess up the shooting and accuracy.

ymmv.

J.Williams · May 24, 2013, 08:38:00 AM

Guess I'm part of the "same arrow for everything crowd' as well.Nothing wrong with tinkering with different arrows and bows,if that's your game,I just like to do all of my shooting with my hunting rigs and keeping it simple.Different strokes....

Roverrich · May 24, 2013, 08:50:00 AM

Thanks guys for all the comments.

I asked 'cause I'm new to the sport and wanted to see what people recommend. I tend to listen to people who have experience in things and learn from their mistakes. This has served me well in life. In the end will do what's works for me but I just needed a starting point.

Cheers and have a great holiday weekend.

Brianlocal3 · May 24, 2013, 09:45:00 AM

Very good topic, I find it interesting.

Mike Vines · May 24, 2013, 09:54:00 AM

Practice like you will play, only then will you know for certain what your setup is capable of.

Brock · May 24, 2013, 10:07:00 AM

I look at shooting 3D targets as prep for hunting...so really dont care about score and when I did keep score still I only used my hunting arrow setup. I consider myself a bowhunter first....

PeteA · May 24, 2013, 10:09:00 AM

Same bow, same arrows, same quiver. It's all about practice for hunting for me. I also take a lot of my shot sitting or kneeling.

LittleBen · May 24, 2013, 10:20:00 AM

I can see both sides to the coin. I personally shoot my hunting bows and arrows for 3d but I think its as much a cost thing as anything else.

If I bought a 3d rig, you bet it'd be something I intnded to win with, and I'd be shooting ultralight ultraskinny carbons or aluminum, not the Douglas fir I normally shoot (and by the way love).

When I gap shoot or string walk for shooting, I just have a little card with the data, or store it in my brain. So switching from one bow to another is not an isssue ... just a different chart.

ishoot4thrills · May 25, 2013, 10:04:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Bisch:
I set up and tune an arrow for hunting, usually at 10-11gpp. That is the only arrow I shoot, whether I am hunting, practicing, or competeing in a 3D shoot. I strive to be the best I can be, no matter what the venue.

Bisch

X2.

Though I must admit, I know I am handicapping myself when it comes to 3D because my arrow definitely drops fast once it gets past 25-30 yards. But, I'm not shooting past 25 yards on game anyway. And the long 3D shots just make me try that much harder for the 10 ring because it is very challenging past 25 yards with my hunting setup.

SELFBOW19953 · May 25, 2013, 01:34:00 PM

For those shooters "practicing for hunting" at a 3D shoot, on a quartering away shot, do you shoot for the kill or the score-they ain't the same?

Goshawkin · May 25, 2013, 02:04:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Brianlocal3:

If you can pick a spot on a 3D target you can pick a spot on an animal. 3D is a game.

exactly!
I shoot 3-ds to practice for hunting AND to try and win. Doesn't matter how the target is angled or where the "real" shot to vitals would have to be placed. I'm trying to hit that little spot where the 12 ring is.

Brianlocal3 · May 25, 2013, 09:19:00 PM

I concur with Nick.

I'm aiming for the 12 ring at 3D, no matter the angle, I want the highest points I can earn, on a live animal I know the difference and shoot accordingly

johnnyk71 · May 25, 2013, 09:56:00 PM

This is a really interesting question for me. My current go-to bow is a Sheepeater Spirit that is 50# @ 28". Many of you guys know that is a borderline spine draw weight. This bow seems to really like a full length GT 3555 with a 125 grain field point. I've been really shooting well with it at recent 3-D shoots, but the arrows only weigh about 430 grains. I'm sweating a little about whether they are heavy enough for hunting. They are tuned perfectly for this bow, but I'd like to be about 600 gpp. If it ain't broke, should I fix it?!

Craig · May 25, 2013, 10:45:00 PM

Same bow , same arrows for 3D and Hunting. If I feel like shooting 80 yards I do, If I don't I move up. I don't keep score at 3D's, for me it's all for fun.

TSP · May 27, 2013, 09:28:00 AM

The question kind of depends on your motives as others have mentioned (win vs. fun/practice) but things like target distances, target layout, whether you gap/sight shoot, shooting style etc. also matter. In the overall the saying 'When in Rome do as the Romans do' makes some sense. I.e., if punching target bullseyes is your game then shooting target bow/target arrow setups seems logical, and vice-versa if practicing odd-angle hunting shots for close-range game is your goal.

One would like to think that there are opportunities for both hunting types AND target types at 3-D shoots (via class designations that recognize and accomodate the different objectives), but sadly that is not the case at many shoots. In those circumstances one group or the other may come away feeling slighted, and perhaps with good reason. But basically it's up to the shooter to choose which libation they fancy and choose the right fit for them.

TOEJAMMER · May 27, 2013, 09:33:00 AM

Same arrows; same bow; same hold and shoot for kill shots not the 12 ring.