Shooting "Ethical" 3D

[Dick in Seattle]

I did something nice, psychologically, this weekend.   I always tell myself that I will go out on the course and treat it "ethically", i.e. I won't take a shot I wouldn't take at a live animal.  However, I find that very, very hard to actually do.  The pressure to take all the shots from where marked is great.  I'll do it for some of the obviously too long for me shots, but not for a whole course.

Of course, shooting this way means not shooting for score (I never do anyway) and "stalking" each target to the distance you feel you should shoot it at.  That can be even harder to make yourself do if you're with a serious group.  Fortunately, I rarely find myself with a serious group 8^)

Anyway, I found a set of six really heavy arrows, 480 grain woods, that had a light enough spine that Closet really shot them well.   Closet is 32#, so that's 15 gr. per pound!  It gave up a fair amount of trajectory, but they flew straight and solidly, landing with a most satisfying "thunk" as compared to my usual aluminum knitting needles.  I found myself shooting them very consistently and I decided to really shoot an "ethical" round with them.

I ignored the stakes and ribbons and approached each target to the distance that felt "right".  That could be controlled by distance or by the shot setup, i.e. opening in the brush, angle at which the animal was set, etc.  

Man, that round was fun!  I was making my shots with confidence and really feeling good about it all.  I could see that I had, over time, gone from someone who enjoyed throwing arrows around the woods to someone who, within genuinely reasonable limitations, could go out and shoot and know that they could hit what they were shooting at.

Of course, I will continue to go out and shoot from the stakes to push myself, but I really want to include an "ethical round" at every shoot from now on.  It's very satisfying.   Try it... you'll like it.

[jimmerc]

Dick, We Do the same here in new york, I never carry a score card,and shoot each target as if I was hunting, ranges up here set the trad targets way to close also!! We like to take turns picking a spot and or situation to shoot from,loads of fun and great pratice!! Jim

[saumensch]

I do that sometimes too. Problem is lots of "not hunting-score fanatics" start laughing / making fun of you. But whatsoever, i like it.

[b.glass]

I have been trying to think of a way to shoot a course where you can keep score by giving or taking away points depending on from where you choose to shoot.

For instance, you get more points if you choose to shoot from a 25 yd stake, but if you miss, you have to deducted points.

What do you think?

Bona

[Horner]

I wish I had a traditional 3D range around my neck of the woods.  I went to the only 3D range close to my home last week.  There was not a shot under 22 yards and most were 35 to 40 yards.  It was fun to try, but then again it makes it hard when you get flack from the wheel bow shooters for missing.  I asked if I could shoot a little closer to the targets.  I was told NO shoot where the stakes are only!!!!!!  I won't go back, because in a hunting situation I would not take a shot over 20 yards.  I really am at my best from 10 to 15 yards.  I know that's not far but that is where I love to pound a target or a deer from.
Bryan Horner

[Traxx]

We had a shoot here a couple years ago,that had a neet way of doing it.There were severall stakes set up at varying distances.You could pick the stake you were comfortable shooting from.Each Stake distance had a set number of points that could be scored.The further stakes had higher points and the closer ones,had less.

[Jack Skinner]

Most shoots I go to have a Hunter class. Shoot what you want from where you want. It usually cost less because you are not in it for the prize/money.

[Ia Hawkeye]

Shoot from where you want ! I havn't kept score for over 20 year. Who cares what others think !!!!

[owlbait]

Our local course has 4 stakes: Pro-Hunter-Traditional-Cub. Works great for us.

[James Wrenn]

If you are paying for a fun round shoot from whereever you want as long as it is safe.I have never shot anywhere where someone had a problem with that.We mark fun round on the score cards for those that are not shooting for score.It cost less at most shoots if you are just there to play.

[McDave]

I've had similar thoughts to Bona's.  On a 3-D course, rather than scoring 5-8-10, I would like to see negative scoring for hitting outside the kill zone.  You would have an option to shoot closer, but the points for hitting in the kill zone would be less than if you shot from the marked spot.  For example, you might be offered a target at 25 yards with scoring of minus5, 8, and 10, or you could take the shot at 15 yards with scoring of minus2, 4, and 5.

[mcgroundstalker]

Lots of great ideas here.... Most of the 3D set ups are for compound shooters anyway. I also never keep score at those shoots. Love to "mix it up" with the cover and take Real Hunting Shots.

Seems to me I have a better time at Trad Only Shoots. Ranges are close and shots are still interesting.

... mike ...

[bowhunterfrompast]

I quit keeping score at 3D shoots years ago.

I got a lot of odd looks and remarks, when I said I didn't want a score card. They just didn't get it  

[WestTnMan]

We have had shoots where the scoring was 5 for anything in the 8 ring, -5 for anything outside the 8 ring and 0 for a miss. Allows for you to try a make "killing" shots on every target. At our club you can shoot a fun round and shoot from where you want. As far a score, I alwasy keep mine but don't always turn it in. Score has always let me monitor my progress, which I like to do. On Tuesday evenings we have a group that meets and we set up some targets and take turns picking spots for fun. No scores kept then. Tonight we have 20 targets already set and ready to go.

[Dick in Seattle]

>>>prize/money. <<<

I have to assume that's for real?    My God, I'm dismayed and disappointed.   I honestly had never heard of it in trad shooting.   Trophies, hand made prizes or a blanket choice, yes, but not money.   When money starts getting involved, a sport changes.     Sorry for my reaction, obviously, it's just my opinion, but I'm truly surprised.  I guess you can tell that.

Shakes head and goes back down to shop to finish another simple bow that, hopefully, will never be shot for score.

[Mark Baker]

We've had a shoot or two, years back, where we did the 5pts for a kill, 0 for a complete miss, and -5 for a wound of any kind.  The couple different things we did, though, was to stake out a string line.  The shooter could stop and shoot at any point along the line, but he could not go back to a better spot.  Also, from the stopping point he had 5 mississippi's - counted out by the others in the group - to draw an arrow from the quiver, nock it and make the shot.    We eliminated all classes, so everyone, compound and trad, had the same shot choices and time to take each opportunity.  All the shots were in "realistic" hunting situations and distances.   It was amazing how this type of shoot really levels the bar, and is a real eye opener for all to test themselves.

[Mark Baker]

I should add, that anymore at almost any shoot I attend, I shoot from where I want, and never keep score.  Just my thing.

[GMMAT]

I'm having a blast shooting trad. 3D.  I keep score every time, because honestly I wanna be able to track my progress.

Nothing wrong with keeping score.  The guys I've been fortunate enough to shoot with are contenders at every shoot we go to.  They're also hunters, first and foremost.  So am I.

But trad. 3D is a blast.  Doesn't bother me at all that some choose to not keep score.  I don't understand why it would bother others if "we" do.

It's supposed to be fun!

[Jack Skinner]

Dick in Seattle

Yep shooting for money or a buckle/jacket on triple crown shoots is common in WY, Northern CO, and Western NE. I believe its because there are no Trad only shoots (just not enough of us especally in WY), So all classes and winners of classes are treated the same. Usually a payback of say 45-50% of the clubs take. It goes by the number of payed shooters in each class, they may pay 3 places or 10 depending on how may sign up.

[George D. Stout]

I don't keep score but I don't chastise those that do.  If I shoot a field round I always keep score, so it's all a personal thing.  3D for me is merely a fun game and frankly I know whether or not I made a killing shot without some ambiguous scoring ring.  

Dick....it's only unethical if the 3D target runs off and dies...and you can't find it.