Twin Lakes Bowhunters, Inc. Rules & Regulations.

If you're a beginning archer or you've never participated in an archery tournament before, here are some tips to familiarize yourself with how things work and what to expect.

First, don't let the word "tournament" intimidate you. The atmosphere is very informal. The basis of nearly every participant's interest is bowhunting, and "tournament archery" is a great way to keep yourself sharp in the off-season. Although there may be some competition among peers, the environment is not one of fierce competition. You don't have to be a highly experienced expert to attend any archery tournament. Everyone has to start somewhere, and every single person on the range was once a beginner. Most archers identify very well with less-experienced shooters. It's common for more-experienced archers to offer their advice and knowledge to help a lesser-experienced archer.

When you arrive at the range, go to the registration area and sign up. Your name is recorded and you walk away with a scorecard. Warm up on the static range for as long as you like, then head to the 3D range with the group you're shooting with. It is common for clubs to require a minimum of 3 shooters per group, a maximum of 5. Shoot with whomever you choose.

On the range, you'll notice stakes driven in the ground. They may be numbered, color-coded, or shaped differently. Every target has several stakes associated with it. Shooters are required to touch the stake while taking their shot. (The stake you shoot from depends on which class you entered at registration.) Most 3D tournaments are unmarked-yardage events, meaning you have to estimate the yardage on each shot - no rangefinders. Don't discuss yardage with anyone, at least not until everyone has taken their shot. You only get one shot. When the last shooter in the group completes the shot, the group proceeds to the target to score and retrieve arrows. Don't touch any arrows until they have all been scored. If an arrow is touching a scoring line, it is scored as the higher score. Then it's off to the next target.

When the last target has been completed, go back to the registration area and tally your scorecard. If you decide against turning your scorecard in, please inform registration of your decision. Doing so will alert them that you're not still on the course, which is important for several reasons.

The most important thing is to have fun!