Anyone in here shoot archery competitions in the off season? If so, what ranges do you shoot at and how is your bow set up for it. I'm thinking about getting into competition but don't know what to expect.

I try to get out to as many 3d shoots as I can. I shoot my same set-up as hunting except I switch arrows to GT pro 22's to pick up some speed and the fat shafts always pick up a few more points. I mostly just do it for fun and to keep my shooting in shape.

it depends on what class you wont to shoot in. I shoot the bowhunter class so i dont do much for changing. I have a diffrent sight i put on my bow that is sighted in with a fatter, faster arrow then my 444grain hunting arrows. the arrows i shoot at comps are 401. that is all i do.

I've always been a great believer in competing with the same equipment I intend to hunt with. Same bow, sights, stabilizer, arrows... everything the same except substituting field points for broadheads.

If you stick with the bowhunter class, you can just shoot your regular huntin' setup. You won't shoot more than 30 yards in sanctioned IBO shoots. In non-sanctioned shoots, you might have to shoot out to 40-50 yards in a catch-all compound class. Just to cover all the bases, I'd suggest using a 4-pin sight set in 10 yard increments from 20 to 50 yards.

Even though you might not take hunting shots as far as many you have to shoot in 3D, this is TARGET shooting, not hunting. The longer shots you take while playing help make those shorter hunting shots a slam dunk.

I shoot bowhunter class as well. Not really for competition, just to help keep myself and my equipment in tune. I shoot an 06 Allegiance with Carbon Express Maximas. Last year I used my Patriot and Switchback. Both shot great but I now prefer the flatter trajectory of the Allegiance.

I have a seperate bow for 3D and that is all that bow is used for (unless something awful happens to my hunting bow). I shoot hunter class in IBO events which is 35 yards or closer, hunter class in ASA which is 40 yards and closer, and MBR class in the local events in my area that aren't sanctioned which is 40 yards and closer.

Specs on my gear is as follows:

06' Mathews Apex 7 - 70lbs 30" cam
Bucknasty/Gibblet string/cable
Sword Apex Micro 3rd Plane Sight w/ .010 pinsat 20, 30, 35, and 40 yards
GKF TKO Target rest fixed position w/ .010 spring steel blade
Doinker Carbon Elite 11.5" Stabilizer
STS

For arrows it depends on what type of event I am shooting.

ASA and local events I shoot Gold Tip 30X Pro's (26/64's dia.) at 437 grains and 281fps
100 grain glue ins
Blazers
Pin Nock and Adapters

IBO events I shoot Gold Tip Pro 22's (22/64's dia.) at 355 grains and 312fps
65 grain screw ins w/ inserts
4" low profile bohning X-Vanes
Going to shoot pin nocks from now on.........cuz I have to [8D]

The one piece I want to add in is don't get caught up in the hype about speed unless your shooting classes out past 40 yards. My preferred setup out of what is listed above for arrows are the heavier line cutters @ 281fps, I have shot my highest scores with that setup as compared to the lighter pro 22's that fly almost 30fps faster.