I had an incredible time at Two Mile Run Park in Franklin, Pennsylvania, for the second leg of the I.B.O. Triple Crown from June 11th to 14th! This beautiful location, paired with Tom Prody’s expertly crafted, challenging courses, made for an unforgettable experience. The weather was mostly on our side—just a few showers on Friday, and the rest of the weekend was perfect! I loved reconnecting with old friends and shooting twenty targets together before meeting some wonderful new archers. Overall, it was a fantastic weekend filled with joy and camaraderie!
Eagle Eye Shootout
If you haven’t had the chance to join one of the I.B.O. Triple Crown Events, you’re truly missing an amazing experience! One of my absolute favorite parts is the Eagle Eye Shootout. With a small entry fee, archers can aim for a tiny quarter-sized orange sticker from various distances to qualify for the exciting Eagle Eye Finals at the World Event in August. I love this challenge because it really pushes you to hone your distance judgment and precision. A few years back, I made it to the final eight shooters at the World Event, which was thrilling! It truly takes nerves of steel to make it to the top, and I can’t wait to see who will rise this year!
Bowhunter Defense Range
The Bowhunter Defense Range is so much more than just a place for archers to practice; it’s a powerful resource in the fight against anti-hunting initiatives! Since its beginning, the I.B.O. has proudly contributed over $750,000 to safeguard the rights of archery hunters. When you come to a major I.B.O. shoot, I encourage you to join in at the Defense Range—every dollar raised makes a difference for all of us. Plus, it’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow archers. I bumped into Levi Morgan there while he was preparing for his day.
Hit the Bags
A great place to warm up and meet friends is at the bag range. That’s where I ran into Scott, who invited me to join their group as the fourth member for the day. Scott and I shot a dozen arrows at the bags while discussing when and where to meet the rest of the group. He wanted to shoot a few targets on the Defense Range, and I needed to head over to Vendor Village to talk to a few people. I couldn’t wait to hit the course with the guys.
On The Course
One of the reasons I absolutely love attending the I.B.O. Triple Crown Shoots is the sheer joy of being out on the course! Shooting my bow is such an exciting experience, and sharing it with friends just elevates the fun. Tom Prody’s course designs really make you think about each shot, with varied footing and intriguing distances that challenge our skills. It’s amazing to hear that satisfying thud of an arrow hitting the foam and to be surrounded by such encouraging fellow shooters. I couldn’t help but share this picture after scoring an 11 on the tricky bedded buck—it was such a thrilling moment!
Celebrate the Good
What an amazing group of archers! Over my shoulder, from left to right, are Greg, Scott, and James. They were fantastic to shoot with! Our group began with a word of prayer from Scott, asking for safety, camaraderie, and patience. As we walked through the course together, we shared hunting stories and family anecdotes, offering encouragement to one another after each shot. When we all scored 11s on the standing elk, we celebrated with a quick selfie and some laughs.
Future of the Sport
At an I.B.O. shoot, the excitement of who you might meet is always a thrill! With a goal of shooting all 40 targets in a single day, I was eager to team up with another group. After an enjoyable first half with Greg, Scott, and James, I returned to the check-in tent and was quickly matched with Lexi and Ellie. These remarkable young ladies truly embody the spirit of archery, inspiring others to join the adventure. It was such a joy to shoot alongside them and witness their impressive skills in judging yardage and executing fantastic shots. I have no doubt that both Lexi and Ellie have bright futures ahead in the world of archery!
Room for Improvement
I am thrilled with my performance at my recent shoot! It was my first chance to dive into a 3D course this year, and I gained some valuable insights. I discovered that I struggle with shooting stacked pins, so I’ll switch back to my single-pin HHA sight for better precision. While my yardages were spot on, I see room for growth in my shot execution, and I’m excited to improve it.
With some time ahead to prepare for the third leg of the Triple Crown in Nelsonville, Ohio, from July 9th to 12th, I’m feeling optimistic. If I shoot to the best of my ability there, I could qualify for the World Shoot from August 6th to 9th at Canaan Valley Resort State Park in West Virginia. Let’s go!
Check out this article if you want more about 3D Archery: https://bowhunting.net/practicing-3d-archery-during-the-off-season/
