3D Bowhunter Challenge | Great American Outdoor Show

Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

3D Bowhunter Challenge

9:00am - 7:00pm on Feb 3, 2024, Saturday|PA Farm Show Complex - Archery Range Hall|View Details|Add To Calendar

Register Here

3D Bowhunter Challenge

Click here for the 2024 Bowhunter Challenge Flyer

Click here for the 2024 Bowhunter & Spot Challenge Schedule

Click here to register for the 2024 Bowhunter Challenge

Click here for the Participant Entry Policy

 2024 Daily Scores for 3D Bowhunter Challenge & Spot Challenge

Scores for February 3 - 3D Bowhunter and Spot Challenge

 Scores for February 4 - 3D Bowhunter and Spot Challenge

 Scores for February 5 - 3D Bowhunter and Spot Challenge

Scores for February 6 - 3D Bowhunter and Spot Challenge

Scores for February 7 - 3D Bowhunter and Spot Challenge

Scores for February 8 - 3D Bowhunter and Spot Challenge

Scores for February 9 - 3D Bowhunter and Spot Challenge

Scores for February 10 - 3D Bowhunter and Spot Challenge

FINAL SCORES FOR GAOS2024 - 3D Bowhunter and Spot Challenge 

About the 3D Bowhunter Challenge

  • You can check your equipment in with us and enjoy the show when you are not shooting
  • You can shoot for fun, compete for in trophy or money classes
  • Top qualifier 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 from 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM, with times depending on the class you are shoot
  • Shoot as many qualifying rounds as you would like (you must pay for each round you shoot)
  • Each round consists of 30 shots
  • It takes about 1.5 hours to complete a round (depends on if line is full)
  • We suggest you pre-register, but walk-ins are welcome
  • Binoculars are allowed
  • Rangefinders are allowed

*If you would like to register using a form instead of the link above,  click here and email to [email protected]*

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.
  • The bowstring, when the bow is strung, may only contact the nocks of the bow.
  • No stabilizers, counterbalances, or weights of any kind may be attached or built into the bow; except a bow quiver designed to hold arrows.
  • 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:  40 yards

Female Youth (FY, Ages 13-17)

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with no restriction on sights, stabilizers or style of  release.
  • Maximum yardage:  40 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 - at least (3) feathers or vanes measuring no less than two (2) inches long (measured to 1.75).
  • Stabilizers, Vbars, counter balances, or weighted attachments may be attached to the bow as long as these items do not extend more than 12 inches from each point of attachment.
  • 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.
  • Maximum yardage:  40 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 - at least three (3) feathers or vanes measuring no less than two (2) inches long (measured to 1.75).
  • Stabilizers, Vbars, counter balances, or weighted attachments may be attached to the bow as long as these items do not extend more than 12 inches from each point of attachment.
  • 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.
  • Maximum yardage:  40 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 - at least three (3) feathers or vanes measuring no less than two (2) inches long (measured to 1.75).
  • Stabilizers, Vbars, counter balances, or weighted attachments may be attached to the bow as long as these items do not extend more than 12 inches from each point of attachment.
  • 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.
  • Maximum yardage:  40 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 - at least three (3) feathers or vanes measuring no less than two (2) inches long (measured to 1.75).
  • Stabilizers, Vbars, counter balances, or weighted attachments may be attached to the bow as long as these items do not extend more than 12 inches from each point of attachment.
  • 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.
  • Maximum yardage:  40 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:  40 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
  • Maximum yardage: 40 yards 

Male Senior Class (MSR) Ages 50-59

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with no restriction on sights, stabilizers or style of release.
  • Maximum yardage:  40 yards

Masters Class (MCBH) Ages 60 & Over

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with no restriction on sights, stabilizers or style of release.
  • Maximum yardage:  40 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:  40 yards

Male Bowhunter Open (MBO)

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with no restriction on sights, stabilizers or style of release.
  • Maximum yardage:  40 yards

Female Bowhunter Open (FBO)

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with no restriction on sights, stabilizers or style of release.
  • Maximum yardage: 40 yards

Open Money

  • Compound, recurve or longbow with no restriction on sights, stabilizers or style of release.
  • Maximum yardage:  40 yards

Photos from past GAOS 3D Bowhunter Challenge events

1 of 13
1 of 13
1 of 13
1 of 13
1 of 13
1 of 13
1 of 13
1 of 13
1 of 13
1 of 13
1 of 13
1 of 13
1 of 13

Want To Know More 

For more information, or to register for the 3D Bowhunter Challenge, email Gary Potteiger at [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!