However, for people who are more interested in taking up Target Archery for hunting and recreation have other options as well. The innovation in technology has brought a paradigm shift in how the game can be treated. The 3D archery target shooting is one such example. In this form of the game, a three dimensional image of the animals are created, which the archer can aim at. This virtual form of hunting can recreate the pleasure of hunting in an open jungle. The 3D figurines of the animals are available in various exciting shapes such as of a deer, bear, wild turkey and even a wild boar. One of the interesting feature of these is that these are reusable and normally do not get disfigured after a number of shot practices.
The 3D figures of the animals come in quite handy as far as reusability and toughness is concerned. A single investment in such kind of Target Archery can give you the pleasure of hunting for more shots. These are tough enough to withstand the damages caused by the arrows.
For those, who had heard about archery sport just over TV, this can be the opportunity to get ready for practicing the same. Target Archery and hunting no longer remains confined to Robin Hood or William. One may get more innovative in ways in which Target Archery can be used.
Re-curve Target Archery
The Olympic Games used the Re-curve Target Archery as the form. In this technique, the re-curve archery bows are used which are much mechanised and come with a lot of adjustable controls. This can be used for aiming better shots.Before setting on to practice re-curve Target Archery, one must be aware of the terms that are commonly used in the sport. These are:
1. Bow-Hand: - For making a shot, the archer needs to hold the re-curve bow in the hand opposite to his dominant eye. This hand is called the bow-hand and the arm is called the bow arm.
2. Drawing-Hand: - The second hand, other than the bow-hand is called the drawing hand. The drawing hand is aligned with the dominant eye and it is used to draw the string of the bow.
People with their right eye as the dominant eye would hold the re-curve bow in their left hand and their right hand is the drawing hand. This is vice-versa for the people who have left eye as the dominant eye. Also, some people use techniques like tilting their head for aiming the right shot. People can have their own variant styles that suit and comfort them. Re-curve Target Archery is best practiced as an indoor sport.
Mastering Re-curve Target Archery requires a lot of practice. However, before one is set to learn to shoot the aim with re-curve archery bow, there are a number of steps to be kept in mind. The correct aim or a perfect shoot is obtained when a number of factors are working together. Some of the factors that can be controlled are correct stance, perfect loading of the re-curve bow, correct draw etc. A correct posture required to shoot would be in right angles to the target and shooting line. The feet should be spread apart and should be parallel to the shoulder. One such particular posture is known as the open stance and is generally used by the advance level archers. However, each archer would have his preferred comfortable posture which may be entirely different from the other.
While loading the Target Archery re-curve bow, the string is in a released position and the bow points to the floor. The shaft end of the arrow is placed on the rest. The back of the arrow is slid into the bowstring and then it is ‘nocked’. This kind of mounts the arrow in the right position before launch. The nock is characterized by the presence of a small ‘V’ groove. In a traditional arrow, there are three vanes and there is one particular vane being used as a ‘nock’. This vane faces away from the bow and is also known as “cock-feather’” or “index fletch”.
Re-curve Target Archery requires the archer to position himself in the most comfortable yet precise way to be able to make the right shot. The bow is held with the bow-hand. The string is stretched and pulled between the first and second joints of the fingers while the bow is being raised.
The process of raising and drawing the re-curve archery bow is a single step one and simultaneously done. Different archers do this in their own different style. Normally, the bow is raised and then the string is drawn and pulled back towards the face. The anchor point at which the pulled string rests remains constant for all the shots. The bow is placed in right angles and then the bow arm is pointed towards the target. Care should be taken that the elbow is not too stretched in this position otherwise the string may snip apart.
With the advanced level of the re-curve archery bow, there are a number of mechanisms and adjustments that help the archer to achieve that perfect bull’s eye. For example, there is a mechanical clicker that triggers when the proper draw length is taken. With perfect combination of stance, loading of the bow and draw length, the arrow is released to reach and hit the target. The process does not just end there as the archer would have to be careful of the reaction force that tends to shift the body backward. This recoil has to be handled well by practicing various techniques.
