"I'm a bowhunter not a target
archer. "
How many times have you heard that line? And I'd
bet you usually hear it after someone launches one off the target face.
Right?
Unfortunately, some bowhunters believe target
shooting is in no way related to hunting. While target
archery and bowhunting are two different sports, they both still involve
being able to hit what you're
aiming at.
Granted, it's
not always necessary for a bowhunter to shoot with the same precision as a
target archer. But would it hurt? We hope that anyone serious about
bowhunting would want to be a decent target archer too. That's
not to say bowhunters should be required to become competitive shooters.
Bowhunters should explore the various forms of target archery as a means
of improving their shooting.
The Games Bowhunters Should Play
3-D archery can be exceptionally beneficial to
bowhunters. If nothing else, 3-D helps you learn to shoot under some pressure
in realistic settings.
Having all your buddies watching you draw down
on a hen turkey target at 32-yards can be nerve racking.
That 10-ring is tiny!
If you can deal with that pressure then you'll
probably do a better job of handling the pressure of having a good buck in
close when Fall rolls around.
3-D is also great because it improves your range
estimation abilities. Being able to quickly determine whether an animal is
26 or 33 yards away can be critical while bowhunting. 3-D can offer you
that. But 3-D isn't
the only type of target shooting bowhunters should try.
Shooting paper targets helps you develop consistency in
ways that 3-D doesn't.
And once you develop consistency you can develop extreme accuracy.
Accomplish that and you're
much more likely to make that first shot count while on stand.
It's
Not the Bow
One thing you will hear all the time from
bowhunter-not-a-target-archer types is that they can't
score well on the range because they're
just shooting their hunting bow. What an excuse! That's
not to say that it isn't harder to shoot a typical hunting set-up for paper
targets
or 3-D than gear specifically designed for the task, but the equipment
really isn't the primary limiting factor. The shooter is. All 3-D shooting
organizations have classes especially designed for the bowhunter,
including novices to the sport.
The goal here is for you to become a more
proficient archer. Getting involved in target or 3-D league shooting can
help you become a better shot, or, at the very least, help you learn your
shooting limitations.
The perfect way to get started is with a summer 3-D league.