Thames Valley Deer Stalkers - 3D shoot

This was the most fun i have ever had with a bow. (non-hunting days that is) 

I had been chatting to Bill the club Secretary over the past few weeks trying to arrange for our fledgling Raglan Archer club to come over, Bill was brilliant with plenty of friend advise on getting our club up and running. I was really taking back when Bill called on the Saturday to confirm that we were still attending.

The day started pretty early at 0530, well early for a Sunday that was not in the bush, as we headed over from Raglan to Paeroa. I was impressed from the minute we arrived it would be one of the best set up hunting associations I have set foot in. The trophy room is breath taking with the best game heads from the most sort after species around the world - Thar, Moose, whitetail, and i think i saw a Kudu there.

The guys that volunteer at TVDA are top blokes, friendly from the minute you set foot in the place and they went out of their way to make us feel welcome. This was a good start to the day as i really hoped it would be.

We got stuck in and helped the guys set up the 3D targets and then sat in for the briefing. then it was into groups and off for a shoot. What a course! i think they told me they have a total of 80 acres of land with the club, well however much it is it is beautiful. Sitting on a steep hill side overlooking the plains and north Waikato, with a great mix of native bust and grasslands..

The course was really challenging and the guys had spent the time planning the target locations. A deer sitting perfectly XX (i am not telling you the distance!) meters away in a little pine grotto with the morning sun peeking over the bank behind - i have never seen my peep sight look white with glare and so bright!

Lunch was a great little "pot luck" affair with everyone bringing in a little something and there being plenty for all.
 We did a second round after lunch and by that time I was grinning ear to ear at the day I had experienced. When I thought it was time for a beer I was in for another surprise.
 TVDA have set up an archery target that takes the sport to another level (video attached) THE RUNNING BOAR. Its a 50 meter shot over a bush valley at a mechanical life sized Boar, and its a great challenge that brings out the best in every archer.
We all headed back to Raglan tired and smiling. It was a great day, our recurve members picked up some pointers from other recurve shooters, as did I from Tony the local compound sharp shooter.

I whole heartedly recommend all archers to contact TVDA to get a spot at their next shoot (every second Sunday of the month) it’s a day you will talk about for a long time.