Several of our members have the convenience of large back yards with the necessary safety features
to accommodate a set of 3-D targets. Since the group tended to gather at one member's home more frequently
than others, this course began to receive the most attention in terms of development and use.
After some experimentation, the 'carrying capacity' was determined to be about 7 to 8
medium-to-large animals and 6 to 8 small critters.
The current 'population' consists of three deer, a standing bear, a walking bear, an antelope,
a coyote, two javelinas, two boars, two turkeys, a fox, a beaver and a mountain lion.
The target placement was made to allow for numerous shooting lanes starting from
the patio/edge-of-lawn area. All of the lanes were designed with safety in mind
and none of the targets are more than halfway up the large hill in the back of the yard.
The neighboring homes on each side are significantly far apart, set back and
shielded by trees and shrubs to not pose any problems. (Plus the fact that the
neighbors sometimes come over to try their luck).
The abundance of trees and shrubs in the yard, however, make for some challenging
shots. Arrows are seldom lost, but they do get 'bent' and sometimes become
'hummingbird rests' in those trees that obtain the attention of an instinctive
shooter. The shooting distances vary from 15 to 50 yards.
The majority of the shooters are traditionalists, so 'stickbows' become the
tool of the trade. Some of the members are also compound shooters who switch to
stickbows for this gathering. Since no normal stickbow person owns only one bow,
a multitude of bows make their way to these gatherings, to be admired and tried.
The process, so far, has been open shooting to warm up. Then each member gets to
select 3 or 4 shots that will be done by everyone else. As the time goes on, this
usually evolves into shots taken from various positions: kneeling, sitting,
on your stomach, on your back, etc. Great shots are loudly applauded and creators
of new 'hummingbird rests' are good-naturedly cheered. Everyone is constantly
encouraged in a positive way.
The pot-luck lunches usually consist of fruit, salads, main entries either donated from
someone's recent hunting trip or store-bought and cooked on the grill, sodas and dessert.
Entries to date have been elk, caribou, boar sausage, turkey and honey-baked ham.
After the lunch break, the moving targets attract the most attention.
Both a running boar and a running javelina have been used to date.
Shooting discs with flu-flus is also normally on the agenda.
Not everyone's property provides this type of opportunity, but the general concept can be applied
in many ways. The main objective is to get together to shoot a little, tell some stories,
enjoy a good meal and basically......have fun in the process !
A Tranquil
Forest Scene
