July 02, 2013
By Patrick Meitin
I look forward to summer for many reasons — fly fishing for trout and kayaking are paramount among them, as are bowfishing and frog shooting — but 3-D tournaments and tons of time on the range are perhaps the biggest parts of this anticipation.
Summertime tournaments allow me to test my skills against other shooters, spend quality time with the wife, swap bowhunting tales with friends and live in an all-archery bubble for a weekend. And of course it's the off-season, so the range becomes like a second home.
Another benefit is that summer 3-D tournaments offer exceptional practice for coming bowhunts, shooting realistic targets in real-world settings and dealing with the stress of competition — even if it's just to beat your buddy's score. But first and foremost, 3-D shooting is about having fun, which means everybody at the range has to play by the same set of rules.
Good old-fashioned manners sometimes seem to be a thing of the past in today's world, but I'd like to think bowhunters are a better cross-section of civilization. When it comes to range etiquette, a little common sense goes a long way. Here are a few tips to make sure everyone has a good day at the range.
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Cherry Pickin' Dessert, it just so happens, is hanging from a tree.
What You Lookin' At? A good looking buck in velvet stops for a mug shot.
Come a Little Closer With some nice mass, a buck works his way into view.
Well Hello There There are different ways to shake hands...sometimes you just have to use your nose.
Did You Hear That? A buck checks out the horizon with curiosity.
A Late Night Snack A small buck appears to be checking out a few tree limbs on an evening stroll.
Checking Out the Scene Two deer check out the scene in front of this trail camera.
Hello Handsome A full bodied buck with a good looking set of antlers.
