I shot alot of 3d at one time,, and some of the most fun shoots had targets more than 25 yards,,,Texas Longbow shoot was one of my favorites,, I think when the targets are all set close,, the shooters get bored,, and you loose the interest of the core shooters,,, my first shoot was field archery,, wow ,,, I came in last,, but it was great,, and really set me to work on my shooting,,, put the stakes anywhere you want and the best shooters will win,,,, when I saw the old timers hitting the very far targets consistently ,, i was not discouraged about my shooting,,,, but inspired to learn to do that,,,, I dont shoot 3d any more,,,, just in my back yard for fun,, and to keep in shape in case I get a shot at a deer or elk,, if making the stakes close will get more shooters then it is a good thing,,but I am not sure if that is really how it works,,, thanks for listening,, B

i just shoot from the compound stakes sometimes just for fun if the target is big enough (moose or buffalo haha!) but if you are playing to win or something i guess that wouldn't be for you. I pay my 10 bucks and get the most fun i can out of it. usually don't turn in my score card... or even fill it out for that matter.

I agree I have a big long back yard,and can shoot back to 55 yards. It's much more fun shooting at longer distance.

I agree I have a big long back yard,and can shoot back to 55 yards. It's much more fun shooting at longer distance.

Long shots are a blast! The only issue is arrow recovery. But when the shot is set up right, with a good back-stop, or clear ground beyond the target, its a ton of fun. I was at a shoot a couple years ago and they had a special competition shot- 60 yards balloon shot- 3 arrows for a dollar, hit balloon, get a beer. Finished my 3D round and was quite thirsty. So I gave it a go.... first shot, short by about 10 yards. 2nd, shory by 5. At this time a bunch of guys came up from the club house, said they were watching and couldnt belive how slow my arrow was. Yep, compound guys. Put the third one within a couple inches.... and the good old boys were impressed. Wish I popped it but they bought me a beer for a "gallant effort".

Love the long shot. Want to find imperfectons in your setup or form? Shoot 50 yards plus. Your hunting shot ranges will be dead- bang!

-Gorbin

So do I..:)Jim

Long shot practice makes those shots that are 20 yards and less seem not very far at all. More than just fun, I think it's also a productive thing to do periodically.

I like long shots too. I think we really limit our development as archers when we only shoot short distances. I try to regularly practice out to 40 and 50-60 when I can. I don't think it is as hard to become accurate as we think. Frankly, the ethical shot distance idea is good for game but bad for practice. It scares people out of improving. I like 3d shoots where they at least have some targets at long distances. I think it is silly for all targets to be under 20 yds and many closer than that. Just not real or fun.

I'm with everyone else. I'm always disappointed if they don't have some long 3D shots.

Nothing like watching the arrow flying thru the air. Straight as it can be.

does no one else just shoot the targets from where they want to?.... strictly in "fun shoots" of course. i just take the stakes as a suggestion.

does no one else just shoot the targets from where they want to?.... strictly in "fun shoots" of course. i just take the stakes as a suggestion.

You guys would have a blast at our shoot here at Northwest Archers in Anchorage. We had a 3d shoot last month. 35 different targets set over a 3 mile course. Shortest shot was 24 yards, with most set at 30/55. Then we had the buffalo target at 82 yards, the full size caribou at 75 and the full size moose at 89 yards. It was a fun shoot so all the dumbed down shots that NFAA rules dictate didn't apply. Had a ball. Of course we let anybody shoot noncompetitively anywhere they wanted to. And it was a 1 arrow scoring so no marked yardage and no correction for a second shot. It was a humbling experience and to our surprise we had no whiners about the shots. I think that people miss the fun of archery by not trying shots that are challenging and realizing that missing isn't the end of the world.

Had a memorial archery shoot for my dad today and had 20 targets set up. One was at 50 yards and another at 100 yards. I hit the 100 yarder (4' by 4' backer) 4 out of 6 shots. We had a blast.

I have a blast shooting long distance.. I'm getting pretty good out to 45 yards and started working out past my comfort zone.

I went out today to practice for some up comming field archery shoots. Big challenge ! I'm working on face walking.

Shot this at 93 yards. Took one shot and called it good befor I started loosing arrows!

I have a blast shooting long distance.. I'm getting pretty good out to 45 yards and started working out past my comfort zone.

I went out today to practice for some up comming field archery shoots. Big challenge ! I'm working on face walking.

Shot this at 93 yards. Took one shot and called it good befor I started loosing arrows!

I have a blast shooting long distance.. I'm getting pretty good out to 45 yards and started working out past my comfort zone.

I went out today to practice for some up comming field archery shoots. Big challenge ! I'm working on face walking.

Shot this at 93 yards. Took one shot and called it good befor I started loosing arrows!

I like to practice at longer yards to work on follow though. You have to do it right or break arrows (steel racks hold the butts). I am limited to about 55 yards before my bow hand is in my line of site (high anchor and 3-under). Thinking about a lighter arrow to shoot longer, but I have a mental thing about never going under 500 grains.

Forgot to post the picture

I used to shoot a lot at 60-80 yards, but being a novice I never hit anything and managed to bury most of my arrows under thick grass, never to be seen again. I still like doing it, but with so few arrows left I play it safe.

Back in June we set up our range for real long shots. Our members wanted them. We have a large group of compound shooters. Personally I had fun shooting the course and to my amazement I lost no arrows. After a couple of times I was missing only a few of the very long shots. To keep this spirit we reset our range this month with a trail type course. No shooting stakes and the targets layed out to be shot from the shooters choice of positions and distances. This may seem unsafe to some degree but was set up so there where no blind spots from the first sighting of the target to the target itself. If we do have a "Fun Shoot" and invite the public We have decided to put out cones. Just a safety measure. When faced with long shots remember these are for fun not for hunting!! That is what I tell myself. Oh yes, God hates cowards so let them fly.

Yea I would like to shoot at long distance sand lose arrows. :)

If you learn how to shoot at long distances, you won't lose arrows shooting at them. American archers of the 1800's were shooting York Rounds with all wooden English style longbows. The York Round is 100 yards maximum range.

Today's traditional archers have a self-imposed limitation, set by Lord knows who, but it has become some kind of badge of tradition. Rather than lull around saying you can't do it, go out and learn how to do it. Or, go try a York Round and learn to appreciate what the guys...and ladies.. could do with their old bows...over a hundred years ago.

Echatham, I rarely shoot from any stake. I'm a lefty and most, not all, targets are set up for right handed shooters. The reason is that the folks setting the targets are right handed and don't even think of where a lefty has to stand. Not purposely mind you but righties just don't think left. After all only 13% of the worlds population is left handed. A statistic that hasn't changed throughout the years. Frank

Brad, I like long shots too.

Ya but...LOL....When I go to a 3d shoot I want shots from 15--25 yards. If I go to a field archery event I would expect longer shots. What's the difference?

At 3d shoots if you miss your arrow is more than likely toast while at field events the targets are bigger with plenty of room for a "miss" to hit a hay bale anyway. The lawn game (York round, etc) is also a different event.

The last field course I shot was at Bear Brook in NH and it was fun.

Longer shots while roving are good. Longer shots in my yard are good too.

Am I hearing that some are tired of 3d and want field archery to return which is fine but superimposing one upon the other won't work for me.

It's hard comparing apples to oranges. When I do I come up with bananas. :)

Jawge

I'll vote for longer shots at #D events. I shot a 3D event this spring where all the targets were no more than 25 yds. Even the big buffalo and elk targets. The layout didn't allow much opportunity to back off for a longer shots either. I was a little bored. Shot one round and left and didn't return. On the positive I know a bunch of shooters were proud to post their scores.

Perhaps field archery is the answer for those of us who like longer shooting. I do understand shorter and reasonable distances for 3d. However, I have been to some shoots where even the large targets like Elk and Moose are all under 20 yards and it just seems a bit silly.

I have long been an advocate of shooting at longer yardages to improve one's form..alignment..stance..loose etc.. Bow-arrow tuning-matchup.....and just for fun.

You learn to shoot theline inerrantly..You learn about your bow's cast..You find your point on..

A 4" stick with a 4" styrofoam ball stuck atop it is an excellent mark at 45 yards..At I00 yards..even more challengeing..

One may miss the ball..but where his arrows hit, left-right, short or long is good info on your consistency..the bow and arrow matchup..

You can't consistently shoot the line to the mark..and even your 25 yard cake shots will go bad..Jim

I live for long shooting! I spend the summer shooting field leagues, and always look forward to long 3D shots. Just spent the weekend at our Bowhunter Rendezvous, had a 20 target competition with targets from 18 - 84 yards (no backstops). 2 arrows per target and marked yardage. I had a blast, and only missed 3 arrows. I wish field archery was more popular, we'd have a lot more confident competitive shooters! Kevin

Well at 50 yards it is easy to lose arrows. At 100 or more they are sitting up vertical. Lol. I do like practicing at longer distances because it makes my 60 yard shots at elk and deer easier.

JR....We have to shoot together sometime....you are more full of crap than I am. )))

I like those long legs. challenge yourself-sit flat on the ground , kneel lay on your stomach-makes close shots more fun and the compounders are amazed as many of them cannot do sitting or lying down shots.

I am almost done with my garage door opener moving target-fish and ground squirrels for the kids

stikbow: "challenge yourself-sit flat on the ground , kneel lay on your stomach- makes close shots more fun and the compounders are amazed as many of them cannot do sitting or lying down shots."

Someone will have to help me up. :) Jawge

if you cant get up after the shot,, you can shoot the closer stake :):):)

Okay, I have been getting further back as my ability has increased. Lot of work left to do as I am not keeping on the four inch wide line especially at the longer ranges.

Anyway, wanted to say I lost an arrow today ( this bothers me as I keep lookin and wondering where it could be). I was at about seventy yards and must have held slightly higher than normal as the arrow went into some branches about 15ft up. I heard it rattle a couple of times but didn't see it come down.

Guess the moral is beware low hanging (or not so low hanging if you are way back) branches.

Doug,, i have lost alot of arrows,,, sometimes I would find them a year later under the grass or buried in the hay bale,, I felt a little better,,,rattling in the trees sounds like a low percentage recovery,, hope you find it,,, B

Go back to where you last looked and go another twenty yards looking some more. If it rattled the limbs, it probably isn't buried anywhere...just laying on the ground. If.....it came down out of the limbs in the first place. 8^).

I'm with Dire and George, shooting long develops form AND really tells you how fine tuned your arrows are.

I was at the Wis. Trad Archer's State shoot last week, and I think us regulars had the most fun at the practice range where a Zebra with a hole in the middle was set at 45 yards, and a foam apple suspended in the hole. It didn't take long before a miss was uncommon.

The format is that the top 32 scores from Sat. do a 16 pair head to head shoot off, to 8 to 4 to 2 to Champion.

I KNEW and prepared for the inevitable course short shots (If I do ALL my practice at longer range, there's a tendency to shoot high on really close shots)...wasn't enough though. The longest target at the shootoff was under 20 yards with several no more than 10. I had to keep forcing myself to "look low" and made it to elimination round 3 before "instinct" took over and I leaked one high by an inch while the other guy didn't.

I've never asked why the shootoff shots are always ultra short range; it might simply be a time constraint for the judges to score and retrieve arrows, but I don't think the end result is necessarily the best archer.

R.

i had a shoot off the the indoor state champion at tenn state many years ago,, the judge was an old timer,, he put a red dot at 30 yards,,,, the shots did not start getting closer and closer until a few years after,,,, it is a fine balance to keep everyone happy( which is impossible) and what is best,,,, who knows what is best is in this ever changing time,,

Well all I can say is if you never shoot further than twenty-five yards, you can get comfortable pretty quickly. Seems to me the redundancy of ultra short targets would get boring after awhile.

Not full of crap. If my bis is shit at 100 yards I guarantee I will not lse an arrow if I miss the target. Lol :)

Not full of crap. If my bis is shit at 100 yards I guarantee I will not lse an arrow if I miss the target. Lol :) bow not bis and lose not lis

Meeeeeeee Toooooooooooo !!!

Rick

Shot for about an hour today...10 yards back to about 80 yards. Had a lot of fun and was on the line, just not so much to the mark. :P

Developed a new (to me) practice format as well. Nock an arrow on the string, turn away from the target, and take the rest of your arrows and chunk them in random directions one by one. Turn around and shoot, walk to the next arrow, shoot it, and so on.

I can appreciate that the short range 3D is about nailing the 10 ring and I do enjoy the challenge but we shoot mostly IFAA Field to 80y and IFAA 3D to 60y and this is what gives me the most fun.

Many varied disciplines and styles in Archery, I think the more things you try the better the journey.

Found it. I tried to post a photo.

Doug..Ya might change to steel blunts..:)They don't skip, end snapnor stick in stuff like field points do..:)..Jim

hcorrifall, do a google search. Lots of info. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_archery Jawge

I enjoy the long shots because I believe they help you see errors in your form. In 3D shoots I don't mind long shots - if there is an adequate backstop or hillside so those who miss, me included, can find arrows. Nothing ruins your confidence more than losing a few arrows in tall grass, weeds, moss, leaves or brush, then walking to the next target and seeing the same background.

If a person is honest with themselves, they'll also learn how difficult a long shot really is and stop taking them on things that move and breath.

Shot a 50 yard walk up right at dark.

Had time to get in 5 arrows before the rain ran me in the house.

This is shots from - 50 yards, 40 yards, 30 yards, 20 yards, and 10 yards.

No, I didn't hit the ball, but considering the lack of light I had, and the drizzling rain, I'll take it & be happy. 8^)

Rick

nice shootin,, I would have take a pic of that one too,,,,

Very nice shooting!

I shot a little long range today. My target at the moment is a piece of styrofoam about half the size of a refrigerator...I was happy just to hit it past 40 yards. :P

TTT because this is the oldest thread I can find with Jon Stewart on it, and I thought it was interesting to see this one on a day when I took a long one in honor of Dire Wolf….

The ranges I shoot are very very rocky, a miss is a ruined arrow. I will take my chances on a field archery shoot with no problem but prefer 3D to be close. When we have shoots with long shots on a regular basis few return for another try.

Yeah, we have plenty of rocks here in New England… The ones that got moved out of the way to make fences/walls are just the tip of the iceberg…

JMO, If all of the shots at a competitive shoot are so close that nobody loses an arrow, then why bother? On the other hand, not everybody is set up to rescue a damaged shaft, and I fully understand why some folks would find that busting up $30 worth of arrows every time you go out gets pretty old, pretty fast.

I won’t lie… I get pretty grumpy just having to replace the number of points that I damage on a typical day… Which is why I just ordered 100 each in the two sizes I use the most… And 100 nocks.

A typical day on the course for me involves probably around 100 arrows shot, and it’s a rare occasion that I don’t lose, damage, or flat out destroy at least a couple…. but compared to shooting any kind of a centerfire rifle it’s still pretty cheap entertainment.

I don’t know… Maybe I’m just easily entertained ;) ROFL

I like shooting at targets of 40 yards or more, even if I miss and can’t group my shots very well. It doesn’t get boring, that’s for sure. Fun challenge.

Most of my practicing is 30 yards and closer but now and then I like to shoot a lot farther for fun.

I’ll shoot them anyway they set them! I’ve got plenty of bullets LOL.

I guess I am the stick in the mud.....I do not go to 3D shoots because they are basically unrealistic for me. All my practicing and stumping is at 18 yards or less. That is my self mandated hunting shot max distance no matter what and I want to train my brain to continually recognize what my max distance is in the hunting scene. I am all about getting close.....I am wary that shooting long distances would then be a temptation to extend my range beyond my comfort zone so I stay at 18 yards or less. Just my 2 cents...No condemnation, just what I do...Be safe...Des

Des, I'd say you got it figured out. You're doing what you want, how you want and it's making you happy no matter what anyone else thinks. Sounds like smart stuff.

I shoot under 25 all the time. In fact I'm totally fine with five yard shots.

In fact I also shoot under twenty five with my pistols, pellet gun, .22s, muzzleloaders and shotguns. I absolutely hate scopes and my vision sucks anymore so close range is 'it' for me.

I shoot mostly 30 yards down to 5, practicing, rarely past 25 hunting game, but in a perfect situation, I would go 30. I do occasionally throw out the long bomb, out to 50 yds and more, mostly for fun.

I just like shooting. There are times I'd rather stump shoot than hunt.

I like shooting long distances. Love watching the arrow fly. Find satisfaction in hitting a stump or clump of weeds at 30-40 yards or more. It's great for my 20 yard shots to practice at 30 or more. In bad weather I'm forced to shoot 8 yards in my basement and after a few shots for form it's boring.

Hunting is a different story but in those situations I'm more concerned with that particular shot - are there obstructions, is the animal facing the right way, does it feel right.. than I am whether it's 17 or 28 yards.

Phil was reading my mind as he wrote what I was going to say, except my backyard practice is max 20 metres.

I had to learn to be accurate out to 30 metres as there is a bowhunting proficiency test in Quebec shooting five 3D targets. There is a 30 metre moose and a 25 metre caribou, which is one of the toughest. There are also 10, 15 and 20 metre targets.

Being that the target distance is metres the 25 metre caribou is actually at 27.5 yards! A caribou target is not a lot bigger than a buck deer so you need to practice. A lot!

If you don't pass the test you don't get to go bowhunting.

My distance I will shoot at an animal depends on the situation and the species. Glad I am good out to 30 metres. Would be very limiting for me to be stuck at under 20 yards even if there was no test.

I like long shots.

My practice for form is 10 yards at a bag target. Most days I’ll also shoot at 5” rubber balls that are tossed out on the grass with rubber blunts. Every hit the ball moved further away so it’s challenging shot to shot. I don’t measure the distance but guess the furthest shots are 45-50 yards. I don’t hit the ball often at those distances but it is great fun and go exercise. I enjoy shooting at the balls most of all.

I like longer shots . The 3d shoots just need to make it to were you can find your arrow with ease if and when you miss.

Peter, a 30 metre moose sounds like a slam dunk. I can't imagine you have any trouble with the caribou.

Phil...the moose kill zone is really quite big...like hitting an extra large pizza box!

But the caribou is only 5 metres closer but the kill zone ( heart and lungs) is much smaller than a moose...the test took place indoors and it was very difficult to judge distance inside with artificial light. I managed to get the arrow in but it was the most intimidating target, especially when I was being watched.

A lot of the compound shooters had trouble with the 10 metre doe target! Shot all around it!! Too used to being dialed in at 25!!

Other targets were a 15 metre bear and a 20 metre buck deer.

I practice at 40 yards all the time. It really refines your form. I also like shooting long long shots in open fields just for sh@#s and giggles.

I shoot at various distances. The courses we shoot vary in yardages because they were marked animal rounds at one time. 3D’s here lately are “fun shoots”. There are stakes for the target number but you can shoot anywhere forward of that. But we try and shoot no less than 15 yards even at that darn stump target.

Desperado sounds like you've got your practice dialed in for what you do. That makes a lot of sense. Most of my practice is also 20 yds and in, but I do shoot 25-30 fairly often, as our 3d shoots have targets at those distances. I hunt close and killed a buck at 9 yds and a doe at 17 this year so practicing those shots just makes sense. I have a buddy that can shoot very well at 70 yds and when he comes over I'll shoot that distance--- it does magnify any form or tuning issues, of course w my draw length and set ups I'm stacking up in the trees to get the arrow there.

I shoot long all the time. Wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t.

And one great thing about long shots… they give to time to recognize your errors so you can start to identify them. JMO…. The #1 problem with taking all of your shots at ranges that are so close that you can’t miss… Is that you start believing that you can’t miss.

Shooting long demands that I stay on top of my form so that I don’t have breakdowns. Which helps prevent breakdowns… Even on those nice, short “hunting range“ shots that we all strive for during hunting season.

And I have to say… When you do manage to drop one into the X-ring from 60 or 70 yards out… It feels pretty damn good.

If most of us old timers will recall, the first 3D targets and courses were said to be designed to "make you a better hunter". At least that is the way it was advertised in this part of the country. All of us have been to shoots in recent years where the targets are set in such a way as to make you everything but a better hunter. Such is the nature of man. Give a kid a basketball and tell him to go shoot some hoops. Watch where he attempts his shots from. Always the furthest extension of his ability. He may go 1 for 15 but that one shot will keep him backing up. We shoot somewhere most every weekend (breaking only for hunting season) and I can tell you that distance isn't the only thing that makes a shoot fun. Its obstacles, multiple targets, elevation changes, blinds, foot placement, etc,etc. Distance shooting with good safe back stops (No one wants to lose an arra) is part of it for sure but its not the only thing that makes for a challenging course.

Plus, it's just plain fun to paint those lovely arcs in the sky.

I get the most enjoyment out of triple digit shots

Almost a full 3 count before my arrow hits at 130yds.

“ Almost a full 3 count before my arrow hits at 130yds.”

So are you off in the desert or out on the prairie?

Our course has a few opportunities to shoot 80, but even on those targets, you tend to run into treetops hanging out over the shooting lane…

Guys here are complaining about losing arrows… You should see what happens when you skip one off of a tree limb 30 feet up! We just don’t have enough space here to do that without offending the neighbors, so I ended up doing a little extra pruning on a couple of those lanes…

To rephrase an old saying: “An arrow in a quiver is safe, but that’s not what arrows were made for.”

I just found an arrow last week in one of my pastures. from some cast measuring I was doing this summer. Comparing the cast of different bows. It must have drifted and was in the fence line.

"So are you off in the desert or out on the prairie?"

28 acre field course in a large downtown metropolis. Rube Powell Range San Diego.

That’s a very specific answer that does me no good whatsoever! LOL

I’m guessing that you’re pretty much out in the desert where you don’t have to worry about branches overhead. I envy you that.

And just so you know… That piece of Cordovan you sent me is the best tab that I have ever owned.

This time of the year I take pumpkins from Halloween/Thanksgiving and set around the yard to shoot at from 10 yards out to about 75 yards. I use judo points so I don't lose arrows.

"That’s a very specific answer that does me no good whatsoever! LOL"

How about a picture.

Ok guys y’all know my preferred distance is way out there. But I hit the earth every time.????

Northern Hemisphere Privilege.

Everybody knows if you try to pull $#|+! that in Australia, your arrows sail off into space…..

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here