Archery has a certain image of romanticism involved, and many people think of the medieval ages where Robin Hood and his merry men sported bows and shot arrows. Another image that comes to mind is that of Native Americans using primitive bows to hunt down the magnificent buffalo or tracking deer and small game through the trees of the forest. In today’s age, though, archery has taken on more of a modern twist and is often a sport involving competition. Some competitions combine hunting skills and target shooting together, and this hybrid test of ability is referred to as 3D archery.
3D archery was created years ago when a few archers sought to practice their hunting skills in the off season. Some have said the competition goes as far back as the 1950’s. Rather than shoot at conventional round bull-s-eye targets, archers wanted something that would resemble the actual animals they would encounter in the field. Not only were the targets they created unconventional, the ranges at which they were placed were not standard either. Again, this was done to simulate situations in the field where estimating the range of the target is required.
The sport of 3D archery evolved a short time ago, if you consider that it has only been around for 45 years or so. Hunters developed 3D archery to attempt to simulate situations they might face in the field and practice their skills during off seasons. Rather than aim from standard distances at conventional targets, those who developed 3D archery wanted to replicate the animals they would hunt for as well as some of the situations they might find themselves challenged by when hunting for live game. Thus, unconventional targets and non-standard distances became part of the sport, combining many skills and presenting an exciting opportunity for archers.
Today, targets resembling practically any animal you can think of are set out on a course marked by flags for the competitors to follow. When the “hunter” finds his unsuspecting quarry, there is usually a wooden stake marker that the competitor has stop at. This marker will indicate the position in which the shot has to be made before the arrow is nocked. Competitors might have to take a shot from a prone position or shoot while leaning around an obstacle such as a tree or rock. Of course, the angle of the shot is determined by the position the hunter is in and reaching the “kill zone” on a target won’t always be easy. The kill zone is the area of the animal’s vital organs such as the heart and lungs.
Points are determined by a set of concentric rings within the kill zone on a target, the smallest in the center being eleven and ranging from ten to eight points. A body shot anywhere other than the kill zone will give the archer five points. A total miss or hitting an antler or other body part earns nothing.
3D archery can be accomplished using any type of bow, though traditionalists prefer recurve or stick bows as the challenge of the requirements for skill, strength, and keen eyesight make the competitions true tests of ability. No matter which bow is used in competition, 3D archery remains fun and exciting and is commonly seen as an option to conventional target shooting or hunting.
3D archery tends to combine the best of both worlds, involving hunting abilities and conventional target practice, which makes the sport appealing to many individuals. Either a compound or recurve bow can be used in the competitions, though traditionalists believe the challenge to demonstrate abilities is higher with recurve or stick bows that require greater skill, strength, and a need for keen aim. Regardless of the chosen equipment to test skills, 3D archery is an enjoyable method of pitting your talents against those of other individuals.













