I've always enjoyed going to the second leg of the IBO National Triple Crown because it's relatively close to home, being our shortest trip of the year, 7:40. With that being said, Tyler and Tom picked me up around 5:00 p.m. on Thursday after work, and we were on our way. I've never traveled in the same vehicle with Tyler and Tom until this year, but I thoroughly enjoy it. I love their company, and it relaxes me. We ended up arriving at the AirBnB around 1:00 a.m. and got a decent night's rest before heading to Two-Mile Run State Park for the tournament.
Practice Day
While Wade and Tom headed to their range to get 20 targets in on Friday, Tyler, Wags and I stayed behind and went to the practice range to try our hand at judging and shooting. We all had a good day and didn't put much into it. Although my hold was shaky, almost all the arrows found their way into the 10-ring. Unfortunately, most targets were within a few yards of each other. That can make judging difficult at times.
After finishing, we hung out at a picnic table and BSd the entire day. The day passed quickly and before we knew it, Wade and Tom were sitting with us after finishing their first 20. They both struggled, so we didn't spend much time talking about it before heading to dinner at a local diner. Wag (also know as Big Country) got himself a Big Country breakfast for dinner, and Tyler did the same. It was quite a heap of food, and they made good work of it. After dinner, we got to bed early to be ready for Day 1.
Day 1
As we gathered around to get our shooting assignments, I didn't need to look at the paper. I knew we would be peer grouped according to the first leg, so I would be in the third group with Digger Cogar, Glenn Meadows and Ray Young. However, once again, for the second year in a row, the wonderful tournament director decided not to peer group people according to score. That put me in a group with Jackie Caudle, Gregg Ayers and Jim Livak. I knew I would have a good time, as I get along with all of the guys, and I love that they can all have a good time while shooting and not take it too seriously. That usually lends to a relaxing day on the range, and it did.
When I got to my stake, I realized I would be starting on a long turkey with shadows on it that were constantly moving. I felt confident with the number when I drew the bow. The blue fiber quickly settled on the black dots on the left side of the 10-ring and parked in place for a few seconds. When the shot broke, it felt like someone had cut the string from my release with a pair of scissors. Then, I heard the guys says, "Nice shot."
The arrow landed on the black dots in the 10-ring, a fingernail width out of the 11. I was off and running and my hold and shot were top notch on the first target of the tournament. I quickly built upon that with perfect shots on the antelope, impala and Corsican ram that followed.
Then, I ran into a lane that had a brown bear at the end of it. It was a bomb, but the number stuck out to me. I knew I would get him too. When I drew the bow, the pin never settled, but I hung with it for a few seconds to allow it to run its course and drop into place. Losing my focus for half a second or less, a thought about letting down and starting over entered my mind. Instead of addressing it, it addressed me and started the process without me being on the same page. When it happened, the bow started going forward and I tried to join the process. Seconds later, the arrow jumped off the bow when the bow was 3/4 to 1/2 draw and sailed through the air. I hadn't shot the arrow. It simply got away from me while beginning to let down. Suddenly, my great start (both mentally and physically) was gone. When I got to the target my arrow was behind the target, where it had ricocheted off a tree and found a home on the leaves.
I joked about it for a few seconds, then moved on and left it there. I knew I would have to get back on the horse and try to limit the damage the rest of the day. If you shoot archery long enough, you will experience almost anything. Unfortunately, this incident happened at an inopportune time, but I knew I could battle back and hopefully end up OK at the end of the day. After all, I've been judging and shooting well.
As I meandered through the course, my shot seemed to take a few targets to get back on track and become fluid again. When I got into and area in a bottom that was filled with ferns and a little water, I felt like I was back in the game, and I cruised through an area I labeled as Murderer's Row. It started with a bomb of a black bear, then a large deer, followed by a gator, grazing doe, howling wolf and coyote. None of the targets were easy to judge, and all of them required perfect execution to get them. I ended up getting 11s on the bear, the deer, the gator and the coyote, and every one of the shots was executed perfectly. On top of the perfect execution, the pin also sat down like a rock. It was the best hold I've had on a 3D target in a long time, and it settled my mind.
When I finished with a low 10 on the bobcat that was up on a log, I breathed a sigh of relief to get off the course at 11 down with a zero that was due to a freak issue. When I saw the scores, I realized I was in 11th place after shooting 19 arrows compared to everyone else who had shot 20 arrows. I wrote that off as a successful day and knew I would have a good chance the next day, especially with the way I've been shooting.
Day 2
I shot a few arrows and the target butt before heading to my stake on Day 2. After hiking up a steep hill, I got to the stake and liked the target I would be starting on. It was a bedded stone sheep and looked like a relatively easy one to start the day. I would be shooting with Rob D'Alfonso, Matt Bressler and Ray Young. I knew I would enjoy the day because I always like shooting with Ray and it has been quite a long time since we had shot together. I was lucky enough to shoot with Matt at the IBO World last year, and this would be my first time with Rob since he just came into our class this year from Open Pro. He finally reached Old Guy status, and it's good to have him on board. Some people can't stand Rob and others like him. He always speaks his mind, and it can ruffle some feathers. I guess that's why we probably get along. I have always tended to do the same thing.
Once again, I started the day off making good shots. When we got to a long standing bear, my heart missed a beat when the shot fired. That second that passes when your brain registers the arrow should've hit but hasn't caused a little anxiety. Then, I saw the arrow on the 8-line below the 10. I had to look at my sight to make sure I hadn't made a mistake while setting my sight. I couldn't fathom how it could've hit that low because I had made a decent shot.
I quickly put it behind me and buckled down. I navigated through the next few targets and made the best shots I could make, picking up a few 11s along the way. Then, we all had to shoot through the chronograph that was set up at the halfway point. Surprisingly, my bow was 4 fps faster on their graph than it was on mine. At home, my bow is 300 fps. I heard others say similar things, so I'm not sure what to think.
After smoking the Caribou and driving the center of the 11 on a short fallow deer, I made another great shot on the new whitetail target that was a bomb. As I neared the end of the day, I began getting tense from being tired and struggling a little with getting my shot off. After shooting an 8 on the third to last target, I had to shoot a bomb of a leopard. I made a perfect shot and the arrow landed barely out of the 11. With one left, I got a little ahead of myself and checked out mentally. I was exhausted and basically ended my day with the picture-perfect shot on the leopard. I couldn't have made a better shot. It felt amazing.
Lesson of the day: Don't cross the finish line on the second to last target. Make the perfect shot on the last one instead.
When I got to the last target and had to lead it, I acknowledged it was a black bear... a relatively easy shot. Instead of remaining 100% focused from start to finish. I tried rushing through the process without following my steps from start to finish like I had on the previous 39 targets.
At day's end, I learned I had missed the shootdown round by 8 points... the arrow that I never truly shot at the target on Day 1. I gave it my best, but came up a little short. That's the way it goes sometimes.
Final Thoughts
I've attended three national 3D events this year and have shot well in all of them. While the scores may not be reflective of that, I'm still staying in the top 10, while also making one of three shootdown rounds. I've been feeling confident behind the bow and with my numbers. It's just a matter of time before all of it falls into place. Every performance is leading me to a better place. I love the equipment I'm shooting this year, and it seems to keep me honest.
My mind is clear this year, and that makes shooting a lot easier. I've been learning to have fun again, even if the train is plowing off the tracks and heading through the woods while coming apart. If you can't have fun, then there's no sense in doing it.
I had a series of ups and downs at this tournament but 95% of it found me at my best. I made some of the best shots I've made in a few years, and they felt amazing. I haven't forced any shots this year, and I've gone back to letting down until I can make a good shot. I think this serves me a little better than the last few years.
I believe I will be going to Illinois for the next ASA. I guess I might as well give it another shot while I can. I'm definitely not getting any younger and this surely isn't getting any easier with all the younger guys coming into the class.
Until next time, I'll see you on the road.
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