The first annual Bayou Bucks 3-D Bull & Bow Shoot held at 4-Seasons Archery in Opelousas, LA was greeted with beautiful weather and an excellent turnout for a first-time event. Shooters drove from many areas of the state to compete and meet fellow hunters—some from as far away as Franklin, LaSalle, and St. Tammany Parishes. There was a total of 69 shooters competing in 4 different classes for over $2,300 in cash and prizes. Attendees had the opportunity to meet several of their fellow BayouBucks.com forum members in an effort to put screen names with faces. “We had a few non-members hear about [the 3-D shoot] from forum members, and everyone seemed to make a lot of friends and it sent new members to the web site also,” Event Coordinator Scott Pitre explained.

The day’s activities included the main 3-D competition, which featured several novelty shooting arrangements designed for hunters, including shooting from a suspended barrel simulating horseback, a ground blind in front of a turkey, an awkward shot from a lock-on, and an unusually close raccoon (below which many arrows were buried). “The raccoon and the barrel were the highlights of the day,” noted Event Promoter Briley Leger. “No one practices off of horseback or from 3 yards. It was just something to throw people off and get their minds in the game.”

The "Barrel Shoot" was a well received addition to the 3-D shoot.

Several novelty shoots transpired after lunch, including the legendary “Iron Buck Challenge,” where archers tested their accuracy skills and nerves against a 3/4 inch iron buck silhouette sporting a 3 inch hole behind his shoulder. Several arrows were shattered in this event where shooters put up money to shoot at a progressively further-distanced iron target.

Another surprise activity was a life-sized caribou placed nearly 100 yards away. Hitting it proved difficult for many archers, but perhaps the most impressive shot didn’t even connect; Cory Bailey’s attempt with his recurve bow aimed high in the sky sent an arrow just inches shy of the caribou.

Turnout for the Bayou Bucks 3-D Bull & Bow Shoot was surprisingly high given the short timeframe that went into planning it. The groundwork is being laid for the 2nd annual Bull & Bow Shoot in 2010—bigger and better than ever before. Expect the detailed video telecourse of this event to be posted very soon.

Adult

1st (210): Rick Johnson
2nd (206): Jeremy Johnson (won shoot-off)
3rd (206): Scott Dupre
4th (205): Karl LeBlanc
5th (202): Jessie Langlois
6th (195): John Holladey 
7th (191): Eric Rachal
8th (190): Scott Pitre & Kenny Marrant (tie)
9th (189): Steve Parks
10th (186): Quinton Myer

Ladies

1st (190): Shannon Wall
2nd (161): Nicole Casida
3rd (148): Tyra Riley

Traditional

1st (155): Joe Romero
2nd (127): Corey Bailey
3rd (123): Leo Lampinen

Youth

1st (183): Britt Patin
2nd (162): Elijah Faih
3rd (156): Scotty Anslum