Another Successful St. Pat’s Day 3D Shoot

Article written by Corinne Chrunik.

The Nanaimo Fish & Game Archery Division held its annual St. Pat’s Day 3D Shoot on Sunday, March 8, 2020.  A frosty, sunny morning welcomed archers from all over Vancouver Island to Nanaimo’s first 3D Shoot of the 2020 season.

There were 93 archers of all ages, from Cubs to Seniors, registered to take on the challenge of a course with a new layout.  Starting out with 21 animals, organizers added a 22nd animal due to the awesome turnout of archers.

After the 9:00 Archer’s Meeting, the group headed out into the forest to their selected starting posts.  As the temperature rose from the warming sun and the overnight frost melted, steam rose in the open field distorting the site line to some of the awaiting animals.  In the forest, the melted frost rained down from the treetops.

With the exception of three animals, the majority of the course meandered through the forest across the creek which runs through the property.  Archers had a variety of animals to zero in in with their bows.  This included deer, bear, bison, sheep, and a caribou.  Shots were made challenging by varying distances, animal positions, and those darn trees standing in the way (One of my own arrows seemed to have a tree magnet in it).

Walking up to post #20, archers came upon a bedded down elk.  The challenging twist to this one was that archers had to send their arrows over the creek to hit the elk.  Animal #21, the alligator, was placed in its “natural habitat” in the forest of Vancouver Island….hahaha.

After a well-deserved lunch break, archers headed back out to tackle the course for round two.  Going by all of the happy, smiling faces and laughter throughout the day, a great time was had by all.

Thank you to those archer and spectators who assisted with the animal round up and clean up by bringing their last animal and signs to the main trails.  The animals are all tucked into their stalls waiting for the next 3D Shoot.

A big thank you goes out to all of the volunteers who were involved in the preparation, set up, take down, and during the event itself.  Events like this would not take place without all of your help.

Mark your calendars with the next Vancouver Island 3D Shoot scheduled for April 4-5, 2020 at the Courtenay Fish & Game. CANCELLATION UPDATE – Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, the 3D Shoot at the Courtenay Fish & Game April 4-5, 2020 has been cancelled.