It was the mid 1990’s and the sign pointing the way to the archery shoot was too much for me to bare. Temptation and curiosity had made its way into my psyche, and I couldn’t resist. Having just purchased a new longbow, I was anxious to shoot it and trying a 3-D shoot seemed like the perfect medicine. However, I had never been to one and I was fearful of being the only traditional shooter attending. Therefore, a Saturday evening scouting trip out to the shoot seemed appropriate.
As I drove up to the Ossian Conservation Club’s driveway that day so many years ago, my fears were instantly confirmed. It was just starting to get dark, and I could see the outlines of men and women carrying bows with pulleys and sights. Nothing against compound bows, but I wasn’t going to show up to a dog show with a cat if you know what I mean. Disappointed and let down, I didn’t even get out of the truck. I simply turned the truck around in the large gravel parking area and planned to head back home.
But wait, what was that? Could it be? Yes, it was! A man walking out of the woods, having just finished shooting the course, was carrying a recurve. Instantly I applied the brakes and jumped out of the truck. All worries of making a fool out of myself escaped my mind as I walked up to the stranger and introduced myself. His name was Jerry and as I rattled off questions as fast as a jackrabbit, Jerry just smiled and politely provided me with enough information about the shoot to make my head swim. He calmed my worries and informed me that there were a few other traditional bowhunters attending the shoot that weekend. Also, importantly to me, he told me that shooters didn’t have to compete; they could just shoot for fun and not turn in a score card if they so wished. Jerry invited me to attend the next day for the second part of the two-day shoot. I agreed to attend, thanked him for his time and a friendship was started. I did indeed attend the next day and not only shot my first 3-D course but met a lot of good folks in the process.
3-D shoots are more than just off-season practice; they’re a place where friendships are born. I have met many of my closest friends over the years at the shoots I’ve attended since that first shoot with Jerry in northeast Indiana. A year later, for example, at the same conservation club I happened to notice a guy behind me on the course shooting a Legacy Badger longbow. At the time I was shooting a Legacy Badger as well and I waited for him to catch up to me so I could introduce myself. His name was John, and he was accompanied by his two young sons, Caleb, and Ethan. Just the simple act of bringing his boys with him to the shoot made me respect John immediately. We talked for a bit and while doing so learned that we lived within a few blocks of each other. A month or two later I was on the phone bugging John for arrow making tips, as his arrows looked much better than the few I had made myself. John graciously gave me plenty of advice and my arrows began to look much, much better. That was over twenty-five years ago, and I still use the lessons he taught me when I make up wood arrows nowadays.
Another great advantage to attending some 3-D shoots, especially the larger shoots such as the Traditional Archery Nationals in Cloverdale, Indiana or the Compton Traditional Bowhunters’ Rendezvous in Berrien Springs, Michigan is the camping. Camping and archery shoots go hand in hand. Sitting around the campfire at night, with a bunch of fellow bowhunters, is a great way to pick up helpful hints on various subjects. Most of the shoots provide free camping and such items as food, firewood and ice are normally for sale on site. The cost is usually reasonable and the food delicious. Food and bows…my kind of event!
Yet another benefit of the bigger 3-D shoots is the shopping. Vendors and dealers from all over the country come to the larger shoots and even some of the smaller events. Everything from bows to arrow woods, flint-knapping materials to hunting guide services, books to clothes…it’s all there. Not to mention the bowhunting “celebrities” you’ll meet. Once decades ago, while I was attending the Traditional Archery Nationals, I was able to meet my bowhunting hero Glenn St. Charles and his lovely wife Margaret. Just across the aisle G. Fred Asbell was talking to someone. Somewhere in the other tent was T.J. Conrads of Traditional Bowhunter Magazine and other “celebrities”. Since then, I’ve come to know many of these fine folks and I now call them friends, but back in my early days of shooting traditional bows I was nothing less than star struck just being under the same roof as they were. Not only are these “celebrities” all gathered in one place, but so are many common traditional bowhunters that are some of the nicest human beings you could ever hope to meet. Didn’t plan on camping and don’t have a tent or food? No problem. Someone will surely offer you a place to sleep and welcome you to share some of the venison chili they cooked in a dutch oven over the campfire. Didn’t bring a bow or arrows to shoot the course? Again, no problem. Someone will surely let you borrow their spare gear and invite you to shoot the course with them.
Of course, let’s not overlook a very important reason why you should consider attending 3-D shoots…practice! Any bowhunter worth their weight in gold knows how important a good, clean, ethical shot is on a living animal. 3-D shoots are perfect for honing your skill with a bow since the targets are usually life size foam game animals such deer, bears, caribou, elk and more. Quite often the people who set up the course will provide you with a good challenge too. For example, I once had to shoot through a hollow log at a groundhog target and three targets later had to shoot over a creek at a mountain goat target half hidden behind a large oak tree. The challenges presented often mimic real-life situations and shot distances, making the practice both beneficial and a lot of fun.
So, if you’re looking for something fun to do, whether with your family, friends or by yourself and want to get in some excellent practice with your bow…find a nearby 3-D archery shoot and give it a try yourself. If you have any questions or have problems finding a shoot near you, send me an e-mail or leave a comment and I’ll help you the best I can. Good luck and happy shooting!
A Cranky Woodsman 