Field, Safari, 3D Choose Your Poison

[Come Get Some]

This thread is for the purpose of finding out what archers prefer to shoot and why.

 I started shooting 3D tournaments in the early 90's. They were great hunting practice. I shot tournaments on the national level and discover there were some great shots out there. If I wanted to be in the competition I had to consistantly shoot scores in the upper 390's out of 400. Local tournament are fun but lack the mindset you encounter when competing on a different stage. Local tournaments usually have guys that are out to beat the guy they think is the top shooter. Competing against the course and having a good focus will allow you to shoot a better game and concentrate on a perfect score. If the possible score is 400 and a 350 is shot for first place and you get a plastic trophy. Is the Trophy actually the goal? It only means who ever shot the 350 did not suck as bad as everybody else. NO OFFENSE MEANT!!!
 I have found that On the Professional level they are all good sports and are very supportive of every shooter. Although they are competing for their livelihood they seem to have a very good attitude and a sense of fair play.
 Most 3D tournaments the winner will only be down 2-4 points, Field tournaments will be perfect scores or only down 1-2 points. Safari tournaments like Redding had a winning score of 1539 out of 1540. Very tough competition.
 At 3D tournaments your bow can be out of tune, You can mis judge the distance, You can flinch and still get a 10. How can you determine whether a good shot was actually made.
 Field or Safari Tournaments will make you a much better shot and a more efficient hunter.  They tell you how far it is and give you a dot to aim at. All you have to think about is the shot execution and duplicating the shot. You will find out how well your bow is tuned and how well you hold if you can repeat the same shot. Safari tournaments shoot from 3 yds to 101 yds. 2 shots at each target. Field tournaments shoot 4 arrows per target. It also extends your practice season for hunting. It is and still should be considered hunting practice. It is all about shot duplication and familiarity with your equipment.
 What are some of your thoughts??

[demontang]

Never done safari but 3d is what ive been using for hunting practice. Ive won them but its not the point its the great people and time spent shooting. It does help me in the fact that I would like to start a shop up and help people in the area

[Come Get Some]

That is exactly what it should be enjoying the sport and hunting practice. Feild and Safari will definately make you a better archer. To a lot of guys it is about the win or who they have beat.

[D-Rock425]

If I had to choose I would shoot 3-D's.  I do enjoy shooting safari shoots too.  I've been to Redding and a few other big shoots all fun and a great experience.  The thing I want to do more is some indoor shoots blue face and multi color.  Those will make your form better.

[Come Get Some]

Any form of archery that will cause you to consistently duplicate good form will be beneficial. Indoor has a very difficult mental challenge that some never overcome. We must always remember that GOOD practice makes us better. Shooting 200 arrows a day might not be what is needed if it is not done correctly.

[dkecoleman]

So I have a question for you guys. I just got serious with my bow last year after years of not shooting. I am completely hooked and shoot pretty much everyday. I'm getting alot better. I have never shot at any of these but really want to start. Whats your reccomendations? When you started, did you just show up with your bow and go at it? Just courious

[Special T]

Not sure if you are aware but many of the 3D now are shooting some kind of X ring. I belive the WSAA adopted a new scoring system where the old X (the half dollar sized circle on a 3D now has a point value... Either 11 or 12 points i think. I Belive they adoped the same rules that the NFAA use. While i'm not a top competitor i know that you cannot misjudge yardage much or flintch and hit the X ring. Since the way the new rule is being adopted  i think it will help differentiate good shooters from exceptional ones. I can tell you from putting on my fair share of 3D courses that 80% of our clubs partisipants (Silver Arrow Bowmen) are those who are practicing for hunting.

3D is my poisen of choice because it is the most applicable to my hobby. I do some indoor shooting but NOT because i like punching paper but because it helps we work on form so i can be a better shot while doing 3d or hunting.

[bowpredator]

Been shooting archery for a long while since age 12, shot seriously (hunting, local club 3-D', some indoor) till about age 20. First marriage put a hold on my archery and hunting  for a few years. Picked everything back up after the divorce and have been getting more serious in the competitive side of 3-D's at the local level whith winter league shooting to keep form dialed in. When I shoot 3-D's the only thing I'm trying to beat is myself and the course. I have no problem with the pressure of other shooters and actually enjoy it and find that it makes me a better shot.Not to worried about the next guy. Always trying to improve myself and my equipment. I shoot BHFS and haven't pulled the trigger to bump up to FS. Will be looking to expand my 3-D shooting to other big shoots and planning on doing Redding this year.

[bowpredator]

I just wish that we had as many BIG ASA, IBO sanctioned shoots here on the West Coast as they do on the East Coast.

[Come Get Some]

So I have a question for you guys. I just got serious with my bow last year after years of not shooting. I am completely hooked and shoot pretty much everyday. I'm getting alot better. I have never shot at any of these but really want to start. Whats your reccomendations? When you started, did you just show up with your bow and go at it? Just courious

 I would just show up and shoot. After a couple of shoots you will find out what equipment modifications you may want to make to compete at the level you are comfortable with.
 Like Bow Predator says , it is best to shoot your own game, do not worry about anyone else. Learn your equipment and become proficient with it. Shoot the highest possible score you can and be happy with it and learn from you mistakes. I have been blessed with the oppoptunity to compete at the Proffessional level nation wide. I have shot on the same targets with ,Bernard Hopkins, Dave Cousins, Rio Wilde and his family, Chance Beauboef, Danny McCarthy, Braden Guilletin And many more  of the top shooters in the World. I haved learned alot over the last 20 years watching these guys. If you have any questions I can help you with I would be glad to answer them and help in any way I can.

  Jim

[dkecoleman]

Thanks a lot Jim, its always nice to hear from good people. I'm considering shooting the frozen fletch    at TSC in a couple of weeks. If all the targets were 20 yards, I'd be golden. Haha

[D-Rock425]

I heard a rumor of an ASA shoot coming to wa  but not sure how reliable the source.

[Come Get Some]

They have talked about it for years. I am considering shooting the ASA circuit this year. I have friends that I have shot with that make well over 100k each year in this venue.

[D-Rock425]

Would be sweet if they did.

[bowpredator]

I have an inside to the FROZEN FLETCH, they all won't be 20yrds. Lol.

[Jellymon]

I have an inside to the FROZEN FLETCH, they all won't be 20yrds. Lol.

Yes, and the steel target is at exactly 32yds this year. 

[D-Rock425]

That's cool everything will be 32 yards.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Having only shot 3D for fun, never really been about the competition.
But then these were all TBW shoots, Stratford "rock shoot", KBH "cedar arrow" shoot in Gorst, TBW Rendezvous and Western States Rendezvous at the Baker Ranch in Packwood.
A couple Thursdays at Skookum range in Puyallup...
Mostly just a fun day with the family, my kids all have bows and we shoot for fun.
I have 11 3D's of my own in my backyard.
BUT, having just been certified BAIT with NASP, I will be spending time with youth teaching international style target archery.
When I get enough schools involved, then on to competition, but as a coach/trainer not a shooter.
I am looking into NFAA and USA training to get involved in collegiate and field archery also, but one step at a time...

[scottcrb]

I would also love to start shooting some local 3d and such events to meet people practice and get advice/tips. I purchased my first bow last July and want to be very proficient and confident in now and equipment before I commit to hunting with it. Spent a good amount if time last summer at the Kenmore range shooting the flat course and walk through as well as the 20-30 yrd range at my house. Not too interested in traveling all over the area to compete but hitting a local event once a month or so would be great. What is the difference between them all ? 3d, safari indoor etc?

[D-Rock425]

At 3-d shoots you shoot at a life size animal target such as the picture below.  Safari shoots you shoot a paper animal target with an orange dot.

[D-Rock425]

Most archery events are listed on the Wsaa web site.

[scottcrb]

Are both always,outdoors? Or does if depend on the shoot ?

[D-Rock425]

Mainly outdoor shoots.  Blue face and multi color are the only indoor shoots really.

[demontang]

Im thinking of doing the blue face league but really dont have a bow to shoot. Ive dont it with a 70lb bow before and get shaky at the end I lov the outdoor shoots and seem to pick up the most from shooting the 3d

[Come Get Some]

Alot of the Safari shoots are on 3D animals. All Field shoots are paper.The difference is they tell you how far it is and give you a dot to aim at. Multiple arrows at each target. You get to see how good you bow is tuned and how steady you hold. It is all about shot duplication.3D shoots are good practice BUT Field Safari and indoor will make you a much better archer. Anytime you can go out and practice GOOD practice it helps.

[Special T]

CGS if you  really want to mix it up with the best the west side has to offer there is normailly a 3 stage "shoot up" indoor in preperation for ? MC vegas I think? you pay into a pot and winners make some $ I know Silver Arrow Bowmen hosted it  I think last weekend. Next stop may be Wilderness archery in Bow Just north of us