***ARCHERY TIP OF THE WEEK***

3D TARGET PRACTICE - A lot of archers utilize 3D targets to hone their skills prior to archery hunting season. This is a good thing to do for a number of reasons. It gets you outside into nature, you get some exercise (which we all need), you get to work on your shooting form, and you get to shoot at targets that are life-size and in settings that most represent real shots you will be taking. Personally, I’d like to see more 3D courses that offer shots from elevated positions to give us more practice shooting from stands but that’s another topic for later on. If you’re shooting a 3D course for a score, you always want to aim for the bulls-eye. But, if you want to actually practice realistic shots on 3D animals, you don’t always want to aim for the bulls-eye. The ideal position for a deer to be in when you release the arrow is exactly broadside. On most 3D targets, the bulls-eye is near the spot you want to aim for. I say near because I feel a heart shot taken on a real-life deer will be much lower on the animal’s body than where most bulls-eyes are on a 3D target. The second best position a deer to be in is quartering away. In order for our arrow to pass through the vitals of a deer, out arrow must enter the deer’s body further back. Please excuse my poor illustration above but it serves the purpose. The red line (A) shows the arrow path if you were to aim where the bulls-eye is on the 3D target. Notice that all vitals are completely missed. But the green line (B) shows the arrow path if you aim a little behind where the bulls-eye would be on a 3D target. Notice the vitals pass-through. While it’s important to select an aiming point on the outside of the animal, it is of more importance to picture the path of your arrow as it penetrates and passes through the animal. And remember, the narrower the shooting angle, the more compensation needed. When shooting 3D targets and you’re faced with a similar situation, make a quick mental calculation of your arrow path to determine your penetration point.