RICE, MINN. – People from across the state came to Mississippi River County Park in the Stearns County community of Rice to shoot in a 3-D archery event this month.
Thirty three-dimensional targets were set up along park trails the weekend of May 18-20, and there were more traditional targets in the open field for newer shooters and for demonstrations.
The 3-D range is meant to simulate what it would be like in real situations for archers out hunting. The life-size animal targets are positioned along the trail, either in plain sight, or somewhat hidden in the woods.
"It's more like hunting," said Brian Koonz, one of the center's board members. "It puts you in that element of, you're out in the woods, there's wind, you can't control the lighting ..."
Koonz said it's the best way that people can learn how to shoot in a real-life situation.
The 3-D targets have markings on them similar to a standard target and are placed differently depending on so-called kill zones of the animal. Smaller bullseye sections are worth more points in competition scoring, but the targets are really drawn for hunters to practice accurate shooting.
"It makes people more ethical hunters," Koonz said. "The worst thing you can do as a hunter is, you never want to wound an animal. It teaches you what to do and what not to do."
Koonz said the range had targets of wolves, deer, cobras and even dinosaurs (because one just never knows!).
