IN PHOTOS: 3D Archery in the Lowveld
The course consisted of 24 life-sized foam animals that were spread out over a 3,6-kilometre walk.
Approximately 20 archery enthusiasts gathered at the Klipspringer Lodge on the Uitkyk Road to take part in the Klipspringer 3D Shoot-off on August 29.
Staff shooter for the Garage Bow Shop (GBS) at Renosterkop, Marc Dérföldy, took Lowvelder out on the course and explained how the day played out.
“The course has a total of 24 targets over a 3,6-kilometre walk up and down the koppie here. So, we have 24 life-sized foam targets.”
Dérföldy said it is a global practice. “They compete in 3D archery the world over.”
According to him, the biggest following of this sport and hobby is found in the USA, which also means the imperial measuring system is used when it comes to distances and weight.
The distance to targets ranged from between about 20 and 60 yards (about 18 to 54 metres). The “animals” on the list came in all shapes and sizes.
Among the 24 foam creatures to be hunted, were dassies, a badger, a warthog and also bigger game like a sable, red hartebeest and impala.
“We tried to get a wide variety of different targets. We also just got a T-Rex in. It still needs some work and is not on the course yet, but that will be quite interesting, having a T-Rex out in the bush,” said Dérföldy.
Coming to a target like the dassies, one would think it seems close, but because they are quite small, he mentioned that it can be a pretty tricky shot.
“It is not just the sport, it is also in aid of the hunters. When you go hunting, you need to know how and where to shoot, and be confident at different ranges and elevations.”
At the impala, for example, one could not necessarily stand and shoot. “Your arrow normally flies with a bit of an arc, so with this one, because of the branches, you would go on your haunches, unless you’ve got a very fast bow.”
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To get a shot at the guinea fowl, archers had to climb up a few boulders and shoot down at the target.
There is also the fitness side of things, said Dérföldy. “In the summer we plan on doing #jagfiks – in other words becoming ‘hunt-fit’.
“We will get the people here, running up and down, doing obstacles, and then you shoot in-between. Because when you are hunting, you get to a buck or another target and your heart rate goes up.
“We will try to get the people fit. That way, when your heart rate is elevated, you know how to control that bokkoors.”
While the GBS shop is at Renosterkop, the staff set up at the Klipspringer Lodge for events like these. On normal days, the lodge offers the option of an archery range as well.
Bookings are essential and for R250 you can spend the day there. There are even bows to rent if you do not have your own. If you go along only as a spectator, R50 will be charged.
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The owner of GBS, Morné Pelser, warns, however, that after only four shots, you will want to spend all of your savings on this hobby – that is how addictive it is.
He said it is something for the whole family, and you could even do in your yard.
The eventual plan is to get a league going so people from areas such as Johannesburg, Polokwane or KwaZulu- Natal can come and compete. “We would like to get the field up to 100 people,” said Dérföldy.
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Saturday’s event had an optional R100 buy-in and the pot was split between first, second and third place, with the high score going to local GP, Dr Stefan Smith. He scored 481 out of a possible 576 points.
Each target was worth 12 points, with bonus points up for grabs here and there. Two arrows were allowed per target.
