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Range Shooting

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Diligence:
Well, as some of you know, I am new to archery.  I had shot a compound for a couple of summers 20 years ago, but didn't pick up a bow again until last summer.

The only range I have easy access to is full of only compound shooters.  They have paper and 3D targets set-up indoor in an old barn (it's still winter here with snow on the ground).  The longest distance is 45 yards and the shortest was 8 yards from an elevated platform.  This past week, the remainder of the 3D targets were at 25 yards and out.  (some as large as Moose, elk and bear, and some as small as beavers and fox)

My question is this.....I want to participate in the 3D shoots, but the distance to the targets just seems so large.  When you all participate in 3D trad events, where are the targets generally placed?  Also, this particular range had many of the targets set up so that the arrow had to pass through a very narrow gate (say about 20" wide) at half the yardage to the target.  I know that in hunting situations, brush is an issue...but is this common for trad shoots?

My goal is to become a better archer, and I want to maximize my range time at is 30 miles from my house, but at the same time I also want to feel like I am "participating" in the club and not just firing away at paper all night long.

I'm reluctant to shoot at the long range targets because if I miss, there is a big chance of hitting some sort of wooden support and breaking my arrows (which I don't want to do as I make them myself, slowly...)

...I guess I'm looking at options that I might use to improve my shooting without being limited to just shooting the close range paper.  For your reference at 20 yards, my best group was 3 arrows inside 8", and my worst group was 3 arrows inside 24".....as you can, I have some work to do.

I have thought about buying some carbon arrows and shooting them indoors, just so they don't break as easily, but to me that kind of seems odd seeing as I was previously insistent on shooting my homemade stickbow with my homemade shafts, complete with sinew, etc....

J

Pat B:
Jaye, most of the 3D shoots I go to are set up for trad shooters and at hunting distances; out to about 30yards with a few longer shots. Most are set in hunting situations with brush and trees to shoot around or through. The distances they are shooting at the range sounds about right. Even though I normally wouldn't shoot at a deer at 45 yards, practicing at that distance can really improve your close range shooting.
   If you will be hunting with your bows and arrows I'd suggest you shoot the set up you are used to and not change to to other arrows because you might break one. Fear of breaking arrows can lead to good shooting!  ;D  All of my arrows are individually built and lots of time goes into them. That said, arrows are made to be shot. If you worry about loosing or breaking them you will never shoot well.

Josh:
I agree with Pat on the arrow thing.  I broke 3 arrows and lost two this weekend in the woods, I spent  alot of time making them but they are arrows, they are meant to be shot. One of the ones I broke I was shooting in between two pine trees around 6 or 8 inches apart at 15 or so yards and then the target was another 5 yards behind that.  My arrow hit the tree on the left first, then the tree on the right, glanced off the back of the deer target, hit 2 or 3 other trees behind it and came apart in the air in 3 pieces, all of which went in different directions... All I could do is laugh as I watched it happen even though I had a few hours of work in that arrow.   :) :) I think my next batch are going to be flourescent pink though, LOL.  I dont mind breaking them as much as I am tired of losing them in the leaves.   :)   :)

mullet:
 A lot of the TBOF shoots are set up at 20 yards or less, with some shots with some pretty tight site windows. Those tight shots are typical of hunting in some of the thicker stuff in Florida. If I'm shooting some real good arrows and some of the shots are just plain ridiculous I'll pass on the shot. I don't need to break or lose a $50 cane arrow to get patted on the back. I'm there to have fun, relax.

El Destructo:
What Mullet said....I enjoy shooting the Hard Shots...and the shots where you have to crouch and shoot...or lean way out to shoot...but I spend too much time and Money on Equipment to waste it on some of the Ridiculous Set Ups that some of these Tournament come up with...and I too will walk on to the next one..... as for distances....our Range here has Yardage Stakes on all of their 3-D's.....there are Stakes for Longbows....Primitive Bows...and Recurves...along with the ever present Compounds too... when I go and Shoot....which ain't been too often this last year....too much Work.....They cringe when they see me coming...because of the Handicap that a Primitive Shooter gets ( read...way closer to the Target.... ;D)..and I almost always place too..... ;)

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