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3-D Hunting  |
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The heavy dew on the grass had already made my feet wet, penetrating the thin lining of my lightweight hunting boots. I walked along quietly, sticking to the trail while keeping my eyes focused dead ahead. There was sure to be another chance at a big whitetail buck like the one I had just arrowed. In fact, I had made clean hits on a pronghorn, elk, grizzly bear, and turkey already this morning and was just finishing up my morning.
Before bow hunters everywhere try to figure out my location and question my ethics, let me tell you that this unlikely safari took place this past weekend at the 3D archery range. Shooting life-sized targets of your favorite big and small game animals in lifelike surroundings adds a great deal of realism to your practice sessions with the bow and arrow.
Bow hunters as a rule need to spend a great deal of time getting comfortable with their equipment and ensuring that they can routinely hit the bulls-eye of any target to ensure clean and humane kills while hunting in the fall. As a result, hours are spent at the range until the accuracy we all seek is second nature. Then, it is time to take your practice sessions to the next level.
Shooting 3D targets puts you in the hunting mindset and leaves you looking for the vital section of the animal instead of a red dot on a bale of hay. Shadows, angles, and distance all play a part in your success on the 3D range, just as they do when you are perched in your tree stand waiting for that old whitetail buck. You can add to the realism by shooting from a number of awkward angles yourself.
Shooting a number of different targets in varying terrain will help you better judge distances at a moments notice as well. Unlike shooting at the range, the exact distance to the target is often unmarked. You will quickly understand the effects that a couple yards either side of your yardage estimate will have on arrow placement.
While second chances rarely come in the hunting woods, you can certainly take a second chance on a target and correct your initial mistake if you choose. As a rule for beginners, take a few extra arrows with you when you go. The challenge of 3D shooting will likely find you traveling a little lighter than you did on the way in as arrows miss their mark regularly on difficult courses.
Shoot with other hunters of you like to add a bit of competition to the mix. The adrenaline of a tight competition can help you deal with feelings of excitement while in the deer stand, and it can also be a great deal of fun. Spend an hour or two and enjoy some of the best hunting you will ever experience.
This morning was great practice and resulted in no lost arrows and a bit of found confidence with my new bow. I can't wait for bow season to begin here in our backyard, but until then, I will be shooting 3D targets every weekend in preparation.
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