How far are 3D archery targets?

It depends on the federation and your class. IBO stakes go up to about 50 yards for the blue stake, and ASA classes have maximums from 15 to 50 yards. In World Archery 3D, compound archers shoot from 5 to 45 metres and barebow, longbow and traditional archers from 5 to 30 metres. Most distances are unmarked.

Can you use a rangefinder in 3D archery?

Not in World Archery or IBO competition, where rangefinders are banned outright. ASA allows them only in its known-distance classes and bans phone apps in every class, and the NFAA allows them on marked 3D ranges only when the tournament announces it. Outside competition, a rangefinder is a good way to check your distance guesses in practice. Check the rulebook for your event.

What is the highest score on a 3D target?

It depends on the rules. A single arrow scores at most 11 on an IBO or World Archery target and 12 on an ASA target, with a 14-ring used only at special shooting events. In the IFAA 3-D Hunting Round the kill zone is worth 20.

3D Archery

3D archery is shot at life-size foam animal targets set out along a walked course, usually at distances the archer has to judge. Each target carries scoring rings in its vital area, and the arrow scores by the ring it lands in. ASA, IBO, World Archery, the IFAA and the NFAA each run 3D rounds under their own rules.

Details

A 3D round is walked in groups, from a shooting stake or peg to each target in turn. Most 3D distances are unmarked: World Archery 3D and IBO targets are shot at distances the archer has to judge, though the NFAA runs both marked and unmarked 3D tournaments and ASA has known-distance classes. Judging yardage across a gully, uphill or in shade is part of the challenge, and the rulebooks protect it. World Archery and the IBO ban rangefinders outright, and ASA and the NFAA ban them wherever the distance is unknown or unmarked. Binoculars are generally allowed, with limits on markings that could be used to range a target.

Every federation scores the animal differently. ASA targets carry an 8, a 10 and two 12-rings; the lower 12 is in play for everyone, and the upper 12 counts only when the archer calls it before reaching full draw. The IBO scores 5, 8, 10 and an 11-ring in the centre of the 10. World Archery uses 11, 10, 8 and 5 too, but shoots two arrows at each target. The IFAA scores kill, vital and wound zones, 20, 16 and 10 in its 3-D Hunting Round.

The line rules differ as well. In World Archery, ASA and IBO scoring, an arrow touching a line takes the higher value. The IFAA puts the line inside the lower zone, so the arrow has to cut through it. Shot distances also vary by class, from short ranges for young archers up to about 50 yards for the top IBO and ASA classes. Check the rulebook for your round and class.

Because the distance is unknown, a miss in 3D can come from the shot or from the yardage. Practising distance estimation on a range with known marks, then checking the guess, separates the two. Many 3D archers also shoot spot or field rounds to keep their form honest away from the course.

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Common questions

How far are 3D archery targets?: It depends on the federation and your class. IBO stakes go up to about 50 yards for the blue stake, and ASA classes have maximums from 15 to 50 yards. In World Archery 3D, compound archers shoot from 5 to 45 metres and barebow, longbow and traditional archers from 5 to 30 metres. Most distances are unmarked.
Can you use a rangefinder in 3D archery?: Not in World Archery or IBO competition, where rangefinders are banned outright. ASA allows them only in its known-distance classes and bans phone apps in every class, and the NFAA allows them on marked 3D ranges only when the tournament announces it. Outside competition, a rangefinder is a good way to check your distance guesses in practice. Check the rulebook for your event.
What is the highest score on a 3D target?: It depends on the rules. A single arrow scores at most 11 on an IBO or World Archery target and 12 on an ASA target, with a 14-ring used only at special shooting events. In the IFAA 3-D Hunting Round the kill zone is worth 20.