Shooting "Ethical" 3D

[Friends call me Pac]

Shot my 1st trad 3d course last weekend.  I was amazed that the easy 20 yard shots in my backyard and the 20 yard shots on the range were so different.  What I mean is at home I drill a target consistently at 20 but at the course a 20 yard shot became much more difficult.  

Half of the course I believe I shot poorly due to not wanting to look like a goof amongst the new friends I was shooting with.  Too late it dawned on me that that they were having a good time and I was taking it too seriously.  I loosened up and actually managed to place 2nd in my very first trad 3d shoot.

What I found out was trad shooters sure had a lot more fun and constantly praised good shots and encouraged after bad shots.  

In keeping with the intent of this thread I did notice I would shoot for a kill shot only to find out it wasn't in the vitals on some of the targets according to the lines marking the vitals.  Some of the distances were too far for a real live shot but I looked it as a challenge to see how I would do.  Bottom line is I know 20 yards is about as far as I want to shoot at an animal for real.

[twitchstick]

I have two world class field ranges here were I live and some world class shooters here.Even hosted the world field trials twice.I shoot from the cub stakes and some guys will snicker and laugh but the real shooter have always respected me.Even when I shoot wheels and no sights some would laugh.But now even more.The real archers,guys that win shoots like redding and have shoot on US mens team understand.One even will hunt with Lb and flint heads.But the thing that make me laugh is when the hunt comes around my frezzer is always full and theirs is not.Only because the don't pratice real hunting shoots.

[Zenzele]

We have some fun shooting a hunter round scored as follows : 10 for the pro-ring (inner kill) 5 for the kill, -5 for a wound and of course 0 for a miss. You only get to shoot a second shot if you wound or miss with 3 arrows max at each target! Really fun, bad day will see big negative scores! I find it really makes you focus on that inner kill though!!

[TSP]

There are few good 3-D shoots of any type in this area now and the increasingly rare trad shoots seem to have less of a following.  

The evolution of gear and methodology towards 'archery in a can' (speed, synthetics, and precision over fun and simplicity) has helped make the average 3-D shoot a sport for long-range target shooters, not for hunters or families or friends just wanting some outdoor shooting fun in preparation for fall hunting excursions.  As a group undertaking, archery in general and traditional archery in particular seems to be losing its identity as it steadily downplays the home-style 'tradition' while promoting compound-style methods, materials and mindsets.  People are becoming confused and in some ways apathetic about what its all about.  Those not wanting to lose the 'old ways' are frustrated with the new traditional compound mentality, scared by it, or simply bored with it.

Still, there may be ways to put variety and common sense back into the average shoot.  Using less expensive target mats or haybales with paper dot targets for longer shots (field archery), mixed with plastic 3-D targets for 'ethical' hunting practice on simulated animals (close range and challenging angles), within the same shoot, might be satisfying for both hunters and target shooters while helping control costs.  Having pot-luck meals (everyone contributes and shares) might make shoots more community oriented, as would better support of shoots/clubs by local business and public organizations who could benefit from increased recognition and advertising.  

3-D shooters have become, as is reflective of society in general, a 'What's in it for me' type of citizen subset.  Maybe its time to again think more about establishing old-fashioned community values in archery gatherings and think less about personal winnings and adorations.

[Horner]

[excelpoint]

My club over here in Australia just has bale targets out. Me and my hunting mate dont get to shoot the official weekend shoots much so we just head down after work mid week and pick dots to shoot at on the blank bales. We never shoot from the markers as shooting from 48m is not what i do while out hunting. We limit all our shots to about 20m or under and try to make the shots like real hunting situations ie through gaps in trees or kneeling with bow almost horizontal etc. besides being great fun its a really good way to practice for hunting situations.

[Arrowhead80]

I always keep score because i was just born competitive,but i still have a good time.I will not shoot an animal past 25 yards in the woods but i'm not worried about wounding a chunk of foam if a stake is too far back.Some of the courses around here make it to where the shots are unethical to make scores go down.There are several around here that usually shoot in the 190's on a well set up 20 target course but its like it pisses the people that set up the course so the next time they have a shoot it is set up harder.There are many shots on these courses that aren't well set up but it's only for score not to make you take riskier shots in the woods.But i have found the harder you concentrate on scoring a ten instead of a (kill) shot the better your shooting becomes.If you shoot at the animal as a whole you are likely to miss, if you pick a small spot such as the 12 ring to shoot at you are going to make a better shot.I don't mean to offend anyone but i can shoot for fun at my house and save gas money,when i go to a 3-d shoot i want to kick everyones a-- there!