For some people, making it to the archery range isn’t an option; others just don’t like the crowds of a formal 3D course. There is always the option of setting up a backyard course or a community course with a few friends. For a reasonable investment, you can purchase a few 3D targets that will pay off tenfold in confidence in the woods this fall. With a few targets placed in the trees, brush, rocks and varying topography, you can set up a challenging course to practice within your comfort zone.
If your own property doesn’t offer these types of scenarios, or shooting your bow at home isn’t feasible due to city or county laws, you can easily load your targets up and haul them out the nearest public land or a friend’s place to set up a course.
Make your course as realistic as possible. Most whitetail hunting is done from an elevated position; I cannot stress enough the value of practicing shooting a realistic 3D target from a treestand. It’s as simple as setting your stand up and moving the target around to enable multiple yardages and angles.
3D Target Choice
There are literally dozens of targets in which you can choose from when looking for a 3D target. It just boils down to your budget and what animals you desire.
Rinehart has long been one of the leaders in the 3D world and have been making new and exciting targets for years. This year is no different with the release of several new targets in their Competition series. In that line is the Midwest Buck ($479.99), which is perfect for the whitetail enthusiast. The Midwest buck is 52-inches tall, 36-inches long and simulates a 155-pound buck. The target comes with Rinehart’s patented self-healing foam and also has a replaceable locking insert, so you can replace just the insert and not the whole target when the times comes.
Another great addition for your backyard 3D course is the GlenDel Full Rut Buck ($260). The Full Rut is one of the biggest 3D whitetail targets you can buy with a 37-inch shoulder height and a 150-inch B&C rack. Made from an open layered PolyFusion material, GlenDel targets offer great arrow stopping power, as well as easy arrow removal. The Full Rut Buck has a 14x14x14 replaceable insert that can be shot on all four sides to extend shooting life. When the core is worn out, it can be replaced and the fun can start all over again.
While a few 3D targets are capable of taking shots with broadheads, shooting them with field tips will extend the life of the target. Including a target for shooting broadheads and for sight-in purposes specifically, is a good idea. The Block Vault ($110 to $180) is a solid choice. Made from a locked-in high-density foam and capable of being shot on four sides with multiple aiming points, the Block Vault enables you to spread out your shots and will help with the life of the target. PolyFusion foam layers ensure that the arrows are stopped quickly and are easy to remove. Available in four different sizes: Block Vault M 16x16x12, Block Vault L 18x18x16, Block Vault XL 20x20x16 and Block Vault XXL 22x22x16.
