3D archery
3D archery uses foam animal targets on rugged outdoor trails.
3D archery is a competitive discipline where archers shoot at life-sized foam-rubber animal targets. Unlike target archery on a flat range, this sport takes place on outdoor trails through wooded, often rugged terrain. The natural environment—uneven ground, changing weather, and variable light—adds difficulty. It is recognized as a part of modern competitive archery.
Major international events follow the rules of either the World Archery Federation (WA) or the International Field Archery Association (IFAA). National organizations also govern competitions, such as the UK’s National Field Archery Society (NFAS) and Archery GB (AGB), or the US National Field Archery Association (NFAA) and Archery Shooters Association (ASA). Unlike other archery forms, 3D archery demands physical fitness to move along wooded paths between shooting positions.
The trails and shooting ranges can be flat, uphill, or downhill, and the distance to each target is not given to the archer. The sport’s top global event is the World Archery 3D Championships, first held in 2003. The 2024 edition, at Mokrice Castle in Slovenia, drew over 305 archers from 31 nations over six days.
**Divisions**
Under World Archery Federation rules, four bow divisions are authorized: Traditional Bow, Longbow, Barebow, and Compound Bow.
In the Traditional Bow and Longbow divisions, the archer may hold the string in the Mediterranean style (index finger above the arrow, two below) or with three fingers below, but must declare and maintain that grip throughout the competition. Instinctive shooting and aiming techniques like false aim are allowed, but mechanical aiming devices such as sights or markings are not. Sights are permitted under certain conditions in the Compound Bow and Barebow divisions. For all four divisions, arrow shafts must have a maximum diameter of 9.3 mm, and arrow points a maximum of 9.4 mm. Every archer’s arrows must be marked with their name or initials and be identical in type and color. No electrical or electronic devices may be attached to the equipment.
**Longbow**
The longbow must have a classic D-shape or American flatbow profile. When strung, the string may touch only the two end slots. Take-down models are allowed, but the bow must be at least 150 cm long. The bow window must be free of any markings, laminations, or protrusions that could aid aiming.
Quick Facts
- Union
- WA, IFAA
- First
- prehistory
- Firstlabel
- First developed
- Country/Region
- Worldwide
- Contact
- No
- Mgender
- Yes
- Category
- Target sport
- Equipment
- Bows, arrows, targets
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
3D archery is a dynamic sport requiring a level of physical ability to move through the woods along designated paths where the shooting ranges are located. The paths, like the shooting ranges, can be flat, uphill, or downhill, and the distances between the shooting range and the targets are unknown. Major international 3D archery events are conducted under the rules of the World Archery Federation (WA) or the International Field Archery Association (IFAA). Other events can be under the rules of national organisations such as the UK National Field Archery Society (NFAS) and Archery GB (AGB) in the UK, or the US National Field Archery Association (NFAA) and Archery Shooters Association (ASA) in the US. The pinnacle of this discipline worldwide occurs during the World Archery 3D Championships, the first edition of which took place in 2003.
Reader's Guide
3D archery is notable for its integration of physical navigation with shooting skill, as archers traverse wooded trails with unknown distances to foam animal targets. The sport is governed internationally by the World Archery Federation and the International Field Archery Association, with national bodies also sanctioning events. The World Archery 3D Championships, first held in 2003, represent the highest level of competition; the 2024 edition in Slovenia drew over 305 archers from 31 nations. The sport features four bow divisions—Traditional bow, Longbow, Barebow, and Compound bow—each with specific equipment regulations. For example, in the Longbow division, only wooden arrows with natural feather fletching are permitted, and string walking and face walking are prohibited. In the Barebow division, face-walking and string-walking techniques are allowed, and the bow must pass through a 12.2 cm diameter hole. The Compound bow division permits mechanical release devices and sophisticated sighting systems with micrometric adjustments. These rules create distinct challenges and strategies across divisions, making 3D archery a diverse and technically demanding discipline.
Did You Know?
- 3D archery targets are three-dimensional, foam-rubber animal silhouettes.
- The maximum arrow shaft diameter in all four bow divisions is 9.3 mm.
- In the Longbow division, the bow must have a minimum length of 150 cm.
- The Compound bow division has a draw weight limit of 60 pounds.
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