What is the 3D Archery discipline?
3D archery or 3D course archery is a sport where competitions usually take place outdoors in a natural setting, shooting at foam targets shaped like 3D animals along a designated course. The area is prepared for safe archery according to the RFETA or WA regulations.
3D targets are replicas of animals in various sizes, including both small and big game, and are categorized into 4 types or groups according to their size.
While less common in Spain, indoor tournaments may also be held.
The types of bows that can be used include compound bows, recurve bows, instinctive bows, longbows, and barebows.
What are 3D animal targets for archery like?
3D targets are typically animal-shaped, although they can also be found in more fantastical shapes, such as goblins, zombies, or other mythical creatures (e.g., Avatar movie animals, the Tasmanian devil, etc.). These targets represent animals in their size and form as realistically as possible. They are made from high-density FOAM or other rubber-like materials with good arrow recovery memory to make them more durable.
These animal figures are molded, and once the high-density foam is applied and dried, the target is painted and colored to give it a realistic appearance.
In 3D archery, you will find targets ranging from very small animals (Group 4) to small-medium (Group 3), medium-large (Group 2), and large animals (Group 1).
Note: Anthropomorphic figures are prohibited, and the targets must be certified by WA/RFETA.
3D targets for archery are a good form of hunting practice, as they realistically represent the shape of an animal and mark vital areas with circles, where points are awarded when the arrow hits.
How is scoring done in 3D archery?
In 3D targets, the scoring circles come in the following sizes based on the group:
On 3D targets, three rings represent the vital parts of the animal. These three rings score 11, 10, and 8 points. If the arrow hits the body of the animal, it earns 5 points. Hits to antlers, hooves, or any part of the figure not corresponding to the animal’s body are considered null.
Where is 3D archery practiced?
Archery is typically practiced on a course through a forest or field, where you will find 24 animal targets placed in their “natural environment.” In competitions, two rounds of 24 targets are shot, totaling 48 targets.
For this discipline, groups or patrols of 3 or 4 members are formed, with a patrol leader responsible for enforcing rules and recording the archers’ scores. Each archer shoots two arrows per target, and the scores of both arrows are added up. In case of disputes, a judge will be called to resolve the scoring.
The course must be properly marked with colored strips and directional arrows to indicate where to shoot. According to regulations, the 3D course includes targets placed at unknown distances, with varying heights, slopes, positions, and levels of difficulty.
To mark the backstops, depending on the archer’s category, color-coded markers are used:
- Yellow: for beginners.
- Blue: for barebow, instinctive, and longbow.
- Red: for recurve and compound bows.
Types of bows used in 3D archery courses
The types of bows and arrows used in 3D archery, both for outdoor courses and indoor (indoor) shooting, can be categorized into 5 types:
ACO – Compound Bow
ARE – Recurve Bow
ARI – Instinctive Bow
ALO – Long Bow
ADE – Barebow
Annex: 3D Archery Regulations, Championship Rules, and More
WA 3D and Field Archery Regulations, revised and translated by RFETA
3D Archery Course Setup and Safety Guide