The Best 3D Tournament Set Ups

For archery enthusiasts across the country, few events evoke feelings of challenge, camaraderie and thrill than a 3D tournament. Hunters have so named such gatherings because instead of using the simple flat-paper targets of traditional tourneys, these utilize realistic self-healing foam models. There are several opinions on what makes the best setup for such an event, but in the end, the best tend to be the ones that excite and entertain the participants.

  1. Basic Setup Considerations

    • The primary consideration that you should use to determine your type of setup is the audience. If youths make up a significant portion of your group, add whimsical models to your layout. For such an audience, you can utilize foam models of cartoon characters and fantasy creatures. In groups with mixed skills, you can utilize range markers to assist the novice hunters in their efforts. If your participants have a low tolerance for adverse weather, you might consider using an indoor venue for the event.

    Indoor Setups

    • The best indoor setups share several common elements. The first feature is a diversity of targets over various ranges. Varied targets offer a challenge for the broadest range of participants. Another shared trait is the use of obstacles, such as fake trees or low cover to appeal to higher-tier participants and to create realistic hunting scenarios. Evenly spaced, bright lights are an important commonality that some tourneys overlook. With consistent lighting, you reduce the chance of accidents. Although it might seem obvious, the best indoor events utilize the largest indoor venue that your judges can safely monitor for stray foot traffic.

    Outdoor Setups

    • The best outdoor setups follow many of the same traits as indoor venues, such as utilizing a broad range of target types, but require special considerations because of the environments in which they are held. Using forested areas can add considerable realism and excitement to the event, but relies on careful control over the region to ensure the event does not endanger non-participants. Utilizing a station-by-station approach allows you to simulate a real hunt while controlling a smaller number of targets and a more confined region. For such setups, you need to ensure sure arcs of fire from various stations do not overlap.

    Fantasy Hunt Setups

    • Some of the best events utilize fantasy hunt setups because of their various advantages over traditional hunts. The first is the excitement of the unknown. Sponsoring a dinosaur hunt or trek through the medieval hunting grounds is certain to draw more interest than a traditional hunt. Additionally, squeamish children or adults who are reluctant to shoot a foam deer seldom have issue with taking bead on a dragon or triceratops. Aside from safety, the major concern of a fantasy setup is to challenge the imagination of the participants with creative use of models and themes.