Judgeing distance with 3-D

[goldtip]

Shot a 3-d tournament today had trouble judging distance anyone have any tips doing this. PLEASE HELP!

[kgk]

Shot a 3-d tournament today had trouble judging distance anyone have any tips doing this. PLEASE HELP!

I don't know much about this area, but I have a guess:

People are NOT estimating range, they're calculating it.

One way to calculate the range is as follows:

1. You look in the binocular and identify the model of 3D animal you're shooting at. Then, you know its width, say 1.2m.

2. You compare various objects to the animal to determine the angle of the animal (in radians). But you don't memorize the angle, you memorize 1/angle, and that's the "magnification" factor.

3. The animal's distance is the memorized result from #1 multiplied by the "magnification" that you matched in #2.

So, you have to multiply two digit numbers in your head and memorize a fair amount of data, but if you want to win in 3D, I think it's necessary to do so.

I've heard there are other "cheating" techniques that involve things like putting tiny scratches on the binocular focus knob, etc.

kgk

[beetle]

I don't know much about this area, but I have a guess:

People are NOT estimating range, they're calculating it.




:o

So that's what I'm doing wrong.


Forget all that stuff goldtip, and use my sure-fire method:

1. Shoot a roooly fast bow - one that will shoot flat out to 35 yards. 315 fps oughta do it.

2. Use two settings - close & far.

3. Learn to judge how far 35 yards is and practice heaps. Up to 35 yards is 'close' - further than 35 yards is 'far'.

4. Use fat arrows to get that line-cutting feeling.


8)

[The One]

I usually estimate 5 or 10 meters, then mentally double the distance, until I get to the target. However, this only works depending on how well I estimate the first distance, and can be difficult over dead ground. Lots of flaws, so i wouldn't recommend this method :(

[kgk]

Is it legal in 3D to have a scope reticle with dots in it, like a mildot reticle used by snipers?

http://www.snipercountry.com/Articles/MilDot_MOA.asp

Note that the sniper recipe is the same:

1. know the size of the target
2. measure how "wide" it looks (as an angle)
3. do an easy computation to get range

It's just a question of how you hide #2 and #3 in 3D, I suspect. :)

I view 3D like card counting [in blackjack] (and I don't do either): If you want to win, you have to pay your dues. ;)

Fast bows are great, but the guy who wins will have a bow that's just as fast coupled with excellent range estimation (computation?).

NOTE: I really know nothing about 3D archery.

kgk

[beetle]

Is it legal in 3D to have a scope reticle with dots in it, like a mildot reticle used by snipers?

http://www.snipercountry.com/Articles/MilDot_MOA.asp



Too much to think about in all that.



Fast bows are great, but the guy who wins will have a bow that's just as fast coupled with excellent range estimation (computation?).

NOTE: I really know nothing about 3D archery.

kgk


and I was being facetious in my first post.

goldtip, there's no substitute for practice. I like to shoot known distances to get myself a 'baseline' to gauge against. I suggets you shoot a lot more 3D - you'll get better the more you shoot. I haven't shot as much 3D as I'd like and I'm still learning .

There's many ways to cheat. if you use fixed pins, you can 'bracket' for example (use your pin housing to use as a gauge). I don't use fixed pins, and I think If I started bracketing with my scope I soon get found out.

I've heard suggestions of using a rangefinder to practice with when not on the archery range - estimate everyday things and confirm with the finder. I'd try it but I don't own a rangefinder and can't justify buying one.

The best shooters I know can estimate extremely well without tricks. Practice and shoot a lot - there's no other way.

[raagaarii]

practice all you can

then guess the distance :lol:

have no idea how the good shooters do it, and they wont tell

[2Dogs]

Pretty much how Beetle said.

Gapping etc in 3D is very hard considering the different shapes of the targets.

[kgk]

Start by reading this (the field guide):

http://www.archery-fita.org/field_archery/field_publications/f_publications.html

And then, contemplate this:

http://hospice.xtn.net/debunk.htm

kgk

[The One]

Pretty much how Beetle said.

Gapping etc in 3D is very hard considering the different shapes of the targets.

And the angle they are on complicates the matter a wee bit

[violator]

yeah i know just how hard it is to gap on 3D, very hard to hold a gap on nothing even when you have picked a spot.

[gap shooter]

so use a different gap :fist:

I would suggest shoot more maked distances , this has helped me over the years . Your brain remembers what certain distances look like .

Trust your gut and don't 2nd guess

[apexrob]

yes agree with gapshooter , don't 2nd guess usually it is wrong , i have learn't the hardway . 3D is only 20 arrows , but heck it takes it out of you mentally .

[Marcus]

I compare shooting 3D to having manic depression.
One minute you are rolling and shooting great and then one small mistake costs you 10% of the round.
Like having a bad shot and dropping 144 points in FITA.

nasty

[CMB50]

so use a different gap :fist:

I would suggest shoot more maked distances , this has helped me over the years . Your brain remembers what certain distances look like .

Trust your gut and don't 2nd guess

Excellent advice.

[OldDog]

Live with a range finder and use it at every opportunity to practice yardage.
I came straight from ifaa to 3daaa and found the marked yardage helped enormously initially. To go the extra miles takes a lot of work practicing with the lie detector.(range finder)
Shoot as much 3d as possible is the best way of all tho.
I find when i am playing a lot of 3d I can look at the target and just identify the distance without having to ground read.

[2Dogs]

I find when i am playing a lot of 3d I can look at the target and just identify the distance without having to ground read.


And then you set your sight...............and it all goes to **** :rofl:

[OldDog]

no worrys now fency, I got me the new alpen sight setting system. 8)

[New Tricks]

I was always a fan of the 5m arc type 'drawing' on the ground. What I found worked the best (for ABA, never shot 3d) was to know what the Average distance for each series looked like in my head. You could always work out if it was longer or shorter than that and even at 270fps would pretty much be in the A zone with a basic guess. With 3d I read that it is any target at any distance and dead ground behind stumps and little rises will own you every time in these situations.