I never take 3D seriously except when shooting against laxbowman (oldest son - always enjoy whoopin' his behind). Besides bow and arrows I make sure I have the following:

1) sense of humor - Shooting 3D and stumping are a couple of my favorite things to do. I want to laugh with and at like-minded others.

2) friends or friendly attitude - Sometimes I like to hunt alone but, for me, 3D is a very social activity and I have made or strengthened many relationships just flinging arrows with trad folk.

3) sense of adventure - Almost never turn in a score card so we "adjust" a lot of the shots by standing on one leg, facing away from the target, shooting between trees, etc. Shooting stakes? We don't need no steenkin' stakes!

4) proper supplies - Extra arrows due to misplaced adventurous shots, water if hot outside, a stout knife to dig out misplaced adventurous shots and most important of all - CIGARS!

Thanks y'all. I am so ready to jump in on this. I'm told that the Trad community is well represented, so I look forward to jawwing with others who love the stick and string.

QuoteOriginally posted by Hackbow:
I never take 3D seriously except when shooting against laxbowman (oldest son - always enjoy whoopin' his behind). Besides bow and arrows I make sure I have the following:

1) sense of humor - Shooting 3D and stumping are a couple of my favorite things to do. I want to laugh with and at like-minded others.

2) friends or friendly attitude - Sometimes I like to hunt alone but, for me, 3D is a very social activity and I have made or strengthened many relationships just flinging arrows with trad folk.

3) sense of adventure - Almost never turn in a score card so we "adjust" a lot of the shots by standing on one leg, facing away from the target, shooting between trees, etc. Shooting stakes? We don't need no steenkin' stakes!

4) proper supplies - Extra arrows due to misplaced adventurous shots, water if hot outside, a stout knife to dig out misplaced adventurous shots and most important of all - CIGARS!

What he said!

How you been Darren? All is well here in PA.

Miss you buddy.

Dave

Miss you too Dave!

I'm learning to love Texas for a lot of reasons, but haven't found a crowd that likes to get together and fling arrows for the sheer joy of it as much as the SW PA crowd. I keep trying to justify coming back just for the golf shoot, but it hasn't worked out yet. More fun than should be allowed by law.

We don't have many ground grizzlies out here, but I've seen nutria, gators, hogs and more than a couple rangy coyotes.

Been to a few 3D's but there are just not the same number of trad specific get-togethers. Tell everyone I said hi at the next SS shoot if the snow lets you make it over the mountain.  

Go for it. Missouri has some great shooters. You should have a blast.

If you are a type 1 you might consider a small fanny pack to carry yourself a few snacks in case you go low. My wife carries a few besides her meter and blood checking stuff.
Saunders makes a real good arrow puller. $12 from Berry Game calls. The soap trick is not as messy as the arrow lube stuff you can buy. A small towel is a good idea.

I like the Trad only shoots, Don't have patients for the wheel guys....
   3D is a hoot for sure.
When I was shootin in a lot of shoots, I would just take 5 arrows, Makes ya concentrate, And it makes some people wonder why ya only have 5....

I love shooting 3D!  It's even more fun when you can take your wife and kids, and meet some new people.  Don't take it too serious.

shot my first informal round today. what a blast. only 2 clean misses out of 30 animals. good news was i found those arrows. can't wait to go out again.

Many times I am at a shoot somewhere I have not been before so I start looking for someone to shoot with.  Usually there is no problem to find a fun group.  Watch at the warm up target and that is usually a good place to find a group.

Once I traveled to a large 400-plus attended traditional shoot (McAlester, OK) three hours from the house to find my local small town police department had a group of trad shooters there. Another time I shot with a young family which included the granddad like me and we really enjoyed it and I made some friends.

As for taking something,take plenty of water.  I sometimes pack a Snickers to recharge with and it helps if there is a large crowd and the waiting is slow. Some older shooters like me (pushing 69 hard)will haul around a small portable three legged canvas folding or a plastic three legged seat and cane combination.  It helps when it is hot and a 100 degrees or more in late summer.