Rules of Competition

The Bowhunter Challenge Is A Bowhunting Competition
We compete under Nature's Rules

The Bowhunter Challenge is vastly different that a 3-D tournament, or other archery competitions. In this competition the shooter must deal with moving targets, target identification, no-shot situations, unknown distances, various scoring areas, and all while on the clock. We have worked hard to simulate the decisions that a Bowhunter must make, and the curves that nature can throw when you are actually hunting. With each of these elements in mind, we have developed the following Rules Of Competition and a simulated bowhunting environment. It's fast, fun, and very educational, but at the forefront we stress safety at all times.

  1. Everyone must read and sign a Release Form before entering the competition area.
  2. Competitors using their own equipment must be at least 14 years of age. Competitors using our demo bows must be at least 18 years of age and must have recent compound bow experience.
  3. No broadheads allowed.
  4. No Crossbows allowed.
  5. The competition and warm-up area is a controlled archery range. The Range Official is always in control of the range and must be obeyed at all times.
  6. Coaching from spectators will not be permitted.
  7. All competitors must shoot a pre-competition warm-up and equipment test. No one will be allowed to compete with unsafe equipment. The Range Official's decision is final.
  8. Shooters must be in control of their equipment at all times. Draw weight must be such that shooters are able to draw and aim their bow without undue physical discomfort. Drawing the bow above the head will not be allowed. A shooter not able to safely control their equipment will be stopped and disqualified from competition.
  9. Each round is timed. Once the clock starts, a new target will appear every 15 seconds. The clock will not stop for equipment failures. (No one will be allowed to compete with unsafe equipment.) If you suffer an equipment failure, please stop and notify the Range Official. You will be allowed to fix your equipment and return to competition if you have a complete round remaining.
  10. Five (5) arrows are needed to compete. No exceptions.
  11. Shooters will be allowed five (5) arrows in the stand during competition. If an arrow is dropped during the round, you will not be allowed to retrieve it. A dropped arrow will be scored as a missed target.
  12. One (1) shot per target.
  13. Scoring – each target will be scored as ether a miss (0), 10, 15, or 20.
  14. Bonus - a score of 15 or 20 on the elk will carry an automatic five (5) point bonus that will be added to your final score.
  15. Any shot outside of the vitals scoring area is considered a wounding shot and will result in a five (5) point deduction.
  16. A clean miss is scored as a zero (0).
  17. No Does. It is not doe days during Bowhunter Challenge competition. Shooting a doe will result in a loss of the score and a ten (10) point deduction per violation.
  18. Bucks must be six (6) points (total points) or better. Shooting a buck with less than a six (6) point rack will result in a loss of the score and a ten (10) point deduction per violation.
  19. One (1) Division or Class—"BOWHUNTER".
  20. All competitors will shoot from the same stand placement. Stand placement will not be moved for any reason. No age, equipment, or gender exceptions will be allowed.
  21. Shoot what you bring. No arrow velocity or arrow weight limits, and no equipment limitations.
  22. Ties will be broken by the number of perfect shots. Any potential winning score will be asked to shoot one (1) additional arrow to be used as a second tie breaker. This shot will always be the walking elk.