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The 3D Bowhunter Challenge & Spot Shoot

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The 3D Bowhunter Challenge course features 30 shots at an assortment of 3D targets at distances up to 50 yards. Compete in a class based on your age and your ability level – shoot for fun or compete for a trophy or money! You can shoot qualifying rounds as many times as you'd like, but you have to pay for each round you shoot. The top qualifiers from each day, in each class, will advance to the finals and to compete for free!

Pre-registration guarantees you a spot on the line, but walk-ins are also welcomed. The course takes about an hour and a half to complete in the Archery/Range Hall, so be sure to plan accordingly!

Contestants and their families MUST purchase a ticket to GAOS in order to gain entrance to the 3D Bowhunter Challenge & Spot Shoot. Contestants who make it to the finals will be given a complimentary ticket. 

Click here to download the informational flyer

Click here to view registration fees and payouts

*NEW* for 2018 - Spot Shoot Challenge!

To Register, download this form and email to [email protected], or call Gary Potteiger at 717-695-2656

 

 

With over 700 participants, the Great American Outdoor Show 2018 3D Bowhunter Challenge & Spot Shoot was another success!

The 3D Bowhunter Challenge course featured 30 shots at an assortment of 3D targets at distances up to 50 yards. Competitors were based in classes based on age and ability level – either shooting for fun or competing for a trophy or money! 

New for 2018 was the Spot Shoot - over 120 competitors participated in various age groups and categories. 

Many thanks to Gary Potteiger and his team who ran the 3D Bowhunter Challenge and Spot Shoot, and to sponsors Weaknecht Archery and Victory Archery.

2018 Daily Scores

Saturday, February 3

Sunday, February 4

Monday, February 5

Tuesday, February 6

Wednesday, February 7 

Thursday, February 8

Friday, February 9

Saturday, February 10

Sunday, February 11

About the 3D Bowhunter Challenge

  • You can check your equipment in with us and enjoy the show when you're not shooting
  • You can shoot for fun, compete for in trophy or money classes
  • Top qualifier(s) from each day in each class advance to the finals 
  • Top qualifying finalists are notified by phone from event officials
  • Finals take place on the second Saturday and Sunday, depending on the class you are shooting
  • Shoot qualifying rounds as many times as you would like (you have to pay for each round you shoot)
  • You are allowed 30 shots
  • The entire course takes about an hour or so to shoot (depends on how full the line is) 
  • We suggest you pre-register, but walk-ins are welcome.
  • Binoculars are allowed
  • Rangefinders are NOT allowed

3D Bowhunter Challenge Classes & Class Rules

Cubs (Ages 12 & Under)

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with no restriction on sights, stabilizers or style of  release.
  • Maximum yardage:  25 yards

Longbow Class (LB)

  • A one (1) or two (2) piece longbow shot with fingers directly contacting the bowstring using a glove, finger tab or bare fingers. 
  • Archers may use up to two (2) nock locating devices, but they must use the same nocking point and anchor point for each shot 
    and the index finger must contact the string in the same place for each shot.
  • The index finger must touch the nock of the arrow.
  • Face and/or String walking are not permitted.
  • No sighting device of any kind may be used.
  • There shall be no markings on the bow or bowstring that could be construed as sighting marks.
  • No type of draw check or clicker may be used.
  • All arrows shall be of the same material and be of uniform length and weight.
  • Arrows will be shot off the hand or shelf of the riser.
  • Maximum yardage:  25 yards

Youth Male Release (YMR 13-14, Ages 13-14)

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with no restriction on sights, stabilizers or style of  release.
  • Maximum yardage:  30 yards

Female Youth (FY, Ages 13-17)

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with no restriction on sights, stabilizers or style of  release.
  • Maximum yardage:  30 yards

Recurve (RU)

  • Recurve shot with fingers directly contacting the bowstring using a glove, finger tab or bare fingers.
  • No sighting device of any kind may be used.
  • A rest or plunger is all that may reside in sight window of the bow.
  • A limb mounted draw check or clicker may be used.
  • There shall be no markings on the bow or bowstring that could be construed as sighting marks.
  • All arrows shall be of the same material and be of uniform length and weight.
  • Face and/or String walking are permitted.
  • A stabilizer measuring 12 inches or less may be used.
  • Maximum yardage:  30 yards.

Female Hunter Class (FHC)

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with or without sights.
  • May be shot with release, finger tab, glove or bare fingers.
  • If sight is used, it will have fixed, crosshair or circle style pins without lens or magnification.
  • If circle pins are used, all circles must be the same size.
  • A verifier or clarifier style peep sight will be allowed.
  • Sights may not be adjusted after entering the course.
  • Arrows must have screw in style points and at least three (3) feathers or vanes no less than two (2) inches long (measured to 1.75).
  • Only one stabilizer or stabilizer system having a single point of attachment may be used.
  • Stabilizer can be any shape or configuration, as long as it is contained within the theoretical sphere having a radius of 12 inches 
    measured from the point of attachment.
  • Additional Vbars, counter balances or weighted attachments are prohibited. 
  • Maximum yardage:  30 yards

Male Hunter Class (MHC)

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with or without sights.
  • May be shot with release, finger tab, glove or bare fingers.
  • If sight is used, it will have fixed, crosshair or circle style pins without lens or magnification.
  • If circle pins are used, all circles must be the same size.
  • A verifier or clarifier style peep sight will be allowed.
  • Sights may not be adjusted after entering the course.
  • Arrows must have screw in style points and at least three (3) feathers or vanes no less than two (2) inches long (measured to 1.75).
  • Only one stabilizer or stabilizer system having a single point of attachment may be used.
  • Stabilizer can be any shape or configuration, as long as it is contained within the theoretical sphere having a radius of 12 inches 
    measured from the point of attachment.
  • Additional Vbars, counter balances or weighted attachments are prohibited. 
  • Maximum yardage:  35 yards

Senior Hunter Class (SHC) Ages 50 & Over

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with or without sights.
  • May be shot with release, finger tab, glove or bare fingers.
  • If sight is used, it will have fixed, crosshair or circle style pins without lens or magnification.
  • If circle pins are used, all circles must be the same size.
  • A verifier or clarifier style peep sight will be allowed.
  • Sights may not be adjusted after entering the course.
  • Arrows must have screw in style points and at least three (3) feathers or vanes no less than two (2) inches long (measured to 1.75).
  • Only one stabilizer or stabilizer system having a single point of attachment may be used.
  • Stabilizer can be any shape or configuration, as long as it is contained within the theoretical sphere having a radius of 12 inches 
    measured from the point of attachment.
  • Additional Vbars, counter balances or weighted attachments are prohibited. 
  • Maximum yardage:  35 yards

Hunter Money

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with or without sights.
  • May be shot with release, finger tab, glove or bare fingers.
  • If sight is used, it will have fixed, crosshair or circle style pins without lens or magnification.
  • If circle pins are used, all circles must be the same size.
  • A verifier or clarifier style peep sight will be allowed.
  • Sights may not be adjusted after entering the course.
  • Arrows must have screw in style points and at least three (3) feathers or vanes no less than two (2) inches long (measured to 1.75).
  • Only one stabilizer or stabilizer system having a single point of attachment may be used.
  • Stabilizer can be any shape or configuration, as long as it is contained within the theoretical sphere having a radius of 12 inches 
    measured from the point of attachment.
  • Additional Vbars, counter balances or weighted attachments are prohibited. 
  • Maximum yardage:  35 yards

Youth Male Release (YMR 15-17) Ages 15-17

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with no restriction on sights, stabilizers or style of release.
  • Maximum yardage:  45 yards

Crossbow Class (XBOW)

  • Crossbows must be standard production crossbows, however, minor modifications such as Butt Plates, Strings and the like shall be 
  • permitted as long as such modifications do not void the manufacturer’s warranty or diminish designed safety standards.
  • Hooked Butts, Palm Rests, or extra equipment used for bracing will not be allowed.
  • All bolts must be identical in type and size and point weight.
  • Bolts must use at least three (3) vanes or feathers and screw in field points. 

Male Senior Class (MSR) Ages 50-59

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with no restriction on sights, stabilizers or style of release.
  • Maximum yardage:  45 yards

Masters Class (MCBH) Ages 60 & Over

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with no restriction on sights, stabilizers or style of release.
  • Maximum yardage:  45 yards

Male Bowhunter Release (MBR)

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with no restriction on stabilizers or style of release.
  • If sight is used, it will have fixed, cross hair or circle style pins without lens or magnification.
  • If Circle style pins are used, all circles must be the same size.
  • A verifier or clarifier style peep sight will be allowed.
  • Sights may not be adjusted after entering the course.
  • Maximum yardage:  45 yards

Male Bowhunter Open (MBO)

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with no restriction on sights, stabilizers or style of release.
  • Maximum yardage:  50 yards

Female Bowhunter Open (FBO)

  • Compound, recurve or longbowwith no restriction on sights, stabilizers or style of release.
  • Maximum yardage: 45 yards

Open Money

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with no restriction on sights, stabilizers or style of release.
  • Maximum yardage:  50 yards

Registration Fees / Trophy Classes

Cubs Ages 12 & Under $10
Longbow $25
Youth Male Release Age 13-14 $15
Female Youth Age 13-17 $15
Recurve $25
Female Hunter $25
Male Hunter $25

 

Senior Hunter $25
Youth Male Release Age 15-17 $15
Female Open $25
Crossbow $25
Male Senior $25
Masters $25
Male Open $25

 

Money Class

There are two money classes available: Open Money and Hunter Money. 

Cost: $45 

Open Money Class 

24 competitors will have the chance to take home the prize money in this class! We take the top score each day, the first Saturday through Friday, making them an automatic qualifier for the Finals. On the second Saturday, we take the top three (3) scores. The remaining 14 spots will be filled by Friday evening, bringing back the highest non-qualifying scores in order of score from throughout the week. Archers will be notified by phone. Standings will be posted on this website and on the Great American Outdoor Show website daily. However, no scores will be posted. 

Hunter Money Class

24 competitors will have the chance to take home the prize money in this class! We take the top score each day making them an automatic qualifier to the Finals. The remaining 16 spots will be filled by Saturday evening, bringing back the highest non-qualifying scores in order of score from throughout the week. Archers will be notified by phone. Standings will be posted on this website and on the Great American Outdoor Show website daily. However, no scores will be posted. 

This may not allow much lead time for coming back the next day, it allows us to bring back the shooters with the highest scores throughout the week. 

 

Money Class Payouts

1st Place - $500

2nd Place - $400

3rd Place - $300

4th Place - $200

5th Place - $100



Pre-Register Today to Guarantee Your Spot !

Register 

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Want To Know More 

For more information or to register for the 3D Bowhunter Challenge please contact Gary Potteiger at 717-695-2656 or [email protected].

Great American Outdoor Show

The Great American Outdoor Show is a nine-day event celebrating hunting, fishing and outdoor traditions that are treasured by millions of Americans and their families. The show features over 1,100 exhibitors ranging from shooting manufacturers to outfitters to fishing boats and RV’s, and archery to art covering 650,000 square feet of exhibit hall space! Not to mention a jam packed schedule including country concerts, fundraising dinners, speaking events, archery competitions, celebrity appearances, seminars, demonstrations and much more! PREVIEW THE SHOW!

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