ISU Bengal

Issue date: 4/18/07 Section: Outdoor

Media Credit: Dan Z. Johnson Gerry Sorvino, left, is watched by Jon Zugaro as he aims at a 3-dimensional target in Milford Square, Pennsylvania. Bow hunters use the targets to learn where vital areas are on animals, and practice judging the distances of targets.

It may not strike you as a family event, but judging from the turnout at last weekend's 3-D FMC Outdoor Invitational, archery is appealing to a broader spectrum of people.

We found ourselves snaking through an inspiring array of targets [a course of 52, three-dimensional (3-D) targets to be exact] ranging from the more standard antelope, elk, deer, and bear to the less common panther, wolverine, jackalope, and dinosaurs at FMC Park. Surrounded by assemblages of families and friends the atmosphere was invitingly spiked with light-hearted competition and was most enjoyable. Even a gusty wind and the threat of losing arrows weren't spoiling the joy of competitors.

Regardless of whether you intend to hunt or just enjoy testing your archery skills, 3-D shoots are a great way to zero in on yardages (your ability to accurately judge the distance between you and your target) and boost confidence. Without the help of gadgets, such as rangefinders to reveal yardage, it's up to the archer alone to decide. A difference of less than 5 yards can equate to completely missing the target.

Unlike typical archery targets, 3-D targets leave little room for error-- there's no excess material to catch an arrow on a 3-D target. One bad shot can leave you literally bushwhacking (knocking around through trees and underbrush in search of your arrow), or worse yet with a graveside view of the splintered remains to what was once your arrow. (I got to enjoy both experiences!)

The other obvious upside to shooting a 3-D replica of an animal is you learn the location of vitals (areas such as heart and lungs) on numerous game animals and predators, which may increase your effectiveness in fending off an attacking animal. Moreover, if you ever intend to hunt, you want to be able to identify these areas (because most animals don't walk around with a big red spot where you should aim). The areas are prioritized by scoring: an arrow landing in what would be the heart scores 11 points, an arrow landing just outside that scores 10 points, an arrow landing in what would be lungs scores 8 points, while an arrow landing anywhere else on the target scores 5. This makes the highest score possible 572 points; however, shooting between 400-500 points is still commendable.

Numerous archers lingered long after they finished shooting the course, enjoying a bite to eat, a frosty beverage, socializing, and comparing scores. Good times could be found wherever you happened to be, and everywhere you looked people seemed happy. The Pocatello Field Archers did a wonderful job arranging this fun filled weekend, and they chose a note worthy location.

FMC Park boasts scenic walkways over water, where children were feeding fish and swans were swimming. The peacocks were also out strutting their stuff at FMC Park adding to the beauty of this picturesque setting. Whether you have an interest in archery or just want an excuse to get outside and meet some people, there's an archery shoot happening almost weekend in Idaho. For more information on these shoots or archery visit http://www.idahoarchery.com.

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