Best 3D scores outdoors. I wanna know.

[Brianlocal3]

I typically shoot 8.2 PPT (points per target). That's my running avg. I've only shot below 8PPT twice in the last couple years when it counted.  At the worlds I shot 8.6 PPT and it didn't get me into top five, there are some outstanding shots.
I shoot longbow wood arrows.  TL

[Wandering Archer]

How did you wait so long? 3D shoots is how I got into trad archery, and I'm only recently trying to get it together to start hunting. 3D shoots are so much fun, and even more fun when you go to the weekend long shoots and get to camp and shoot with great people.

Anyways, my local club does 28 targets for weekend shoots, but the summer league has only 14 targets set up.

For 14 targets, I'm happy to break 200, but regularly shoot in the high 100s.
We score on a 10-8-5 basis, two arrows each target. 10 for heart(really just a ring inside the lungs), 8 for lungs, and 5 for any part of the animal that isn't horns or hoofs.

I rarely miss the target completely, but some guys are really good and never miss the vitals. But, you have to consider that this is a game, and half of the shots are shots I probably wouldn't take when hunting. Either they are farther than my comfort zone, at an odd angle, behind/around trees, through brush/trees, etc. I also don't plan to hunt big mosquitoes or giant cobras...
I have found that anything within 20 yards is an easy 16 points for me(2 lung shots or better), so even if I don't shoot a really high score overall, I get to know what I'm comfortable with, and what my limits are.

If they have a league, or any form of regular shoots, I would suggest that you go as regularly as possible. I notice that if I shoot in the league, by the end of the summer, my score are much higher than when I start. It also helps to get the chance to take awkward shots that you might not otherwise practice in your backyard.

[BDann]

If I remember correctly, most of the top shooters are averaging around 9 per target, and don't miss any.  My goal is to average 8, and hit every target.

I remember my first 3D shoot-I didn't get the correct stake and ended up shooting from the back stakes with the compound shooters.  I kept thinking that the shots were awfully long.... Needless to say, my score was pretty pitiful!

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by Wandering Archer:
[QB] How did you wait so long? "

I am 25 and this is my 2nd full year shooting trad.  We only have tourneys in the summer around here.  I wish we had more, but we don't.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Once you start shooting these courses and keep track of your score by counting the number of shots you dropped out of the 10 ring on one hand, you'll start rubbing shoulders with the top shooters.

A lot of it is how difficult the course is set up.

Good sport!

[fling]

most shoots in here in So.Cal. trad shooters shoot from the same stakes as compound shooters so the average shot is 40-50 yards with shots out to 80. Most of the time 50/60% will win or place for the longbow class.

[Friend]

An '8' averaage may typically be viewed as competent based on a little better than average IBO and ASA 3D range distances.

A '9' average may typically be viewed as reserved for the elite on a little better than average IBO and ASA 3D range distances.

Due note: that the range can significantly effect final tabulations.

My performance was weak for me this year after 30+ shoots....I stayed around 8.2...enjoyed much comaraderie and was able to loose many arrows. Our groups often focused  more on torturing each other this year. I was in no way innocent.

[Diamond Paul]

They are fun to shoot, but at times people will get discouraged on longish courses because of poor results or misses.  The thing to remember is that many of those shots aren't shots you would actually attempt in the woods.  You can be a very good hunter with a high success rate on animals because you know your limitations and stay within them but not do so well on the 3d range.  No big deal, it's good practice and good to stretch things out in practice sometimes.  I shot against a guy who was a former IBO champ with recurve once.  He gapped, and could stay with compound shooters (average ones) on long targets.  The funny thing was that he did poorly  (relatively) on short shots because of his gap at that range.  He was mainly an elk hunter and had developed his system because of the longer shots he encountered out west.  At 40 yards, he was money every time.  It was pretty intimidating to shoot with him.

[nineworlds9]

You make an excellent point Paul.  All of the courses I have shot involve probably 40-50% shots I would never take in real life based on my ability to some extent, but also because they are too far and in real life deer don't stay still, or there are too many obstacles, so many of the shots are made to be challenging for competition but not really ethical.  If I set up a course with all shots I'd be willing to take at good close hunting distances with minimal obstacles I and many others would probably shoot close to 100%.  

The nice thing about these 3D courses is the challenging shots make you better when out in the woods and its a shot you like.

[Diamond Paul]

I completely agree.

[LongbowArcher1987]

Great stuff,guys! I liked hearing all about it! Going to try the course again today:)