Two weeks ago, I mentioned to my buddy Maxwell Collins that we should go shoot the Oak Tree Archery 3D Roving Course. I had been meaning to go shoot the course for nine months, but it’s a bit of a drive from Long Beach and it just didn’t pan out. We decided that the 26th worked great for the both of us and made plans to leave early, get there when they opened and have some fun.
We arrived early and headed up the hill to the range office before 8:00 AM. Jackson (Oak Tree bow tech extraordinaire) greeted us with an enthusiastic welcome. We chatted with him for a few minutes, paid our $20 Roving Course range fee (per round, which is a steal in my opinion) and made our way up the hill to the range. While I had been here before to help move targets, I had not had the pleasure of shooting the half mile course. Picture a a much shorter, less angry Stay Puft Marshmallow Man hiking up a hill carrying his bow, pack, arrows, and 75 lbs of extra “marshmallow”. Yeah, that was me.
The gasping and wheezing came before we even made it to the first of 28 targets, which of course is a 100 yard shot on an elk. At first, I wasn’t so sure I was going to like the first shot being 100 yards because I don’t normally have the opportunity to shoot that far and I didn’t want to be donating arrows right off the bat! That being said, I think it works well as an ice breaker to the course. The targets range from 7-100 yards, uphill, downhill, between trees, and in the open. Starting out like this allows archers to continue to enjoy themselves.
Max and I were scoring our shots for fun, but we wanted to check our form, our gear, and of course, our fitness. I knew my fitness would be terrible and it became very apparent after we shot targets #7 and #8. We set our bows on the hanger, climbed to targets #7 and #8 to retrieve our arrows before we realized that the trail continued further uphill and around, not back down like we anticipated. Back down we went to get our bows and then hiked back up past #7 and #8 to target #9.
Suggestion to Oak Tree: It would be helpful to archers if Oak Tree put a small sign at the base of the hill by target #8 stating to “bring your bows with you”. The way the targets are numbered is confusing to a new course shooter. #7 is up top, #8 is below and then 9 is around the hill beyond #7. I’m out of shape and needed the exercise, but that was not fun.
The remainder of the course was incredibly enjoyable and challenging. Max and I talked a great deal about trusting our gear, working on form, and watching our footing. Both of us made some great judgement calls on a few of the targets, as well as some not-so-good ones, but we had a blast! We also slipped numerous times on the loose sand and cut weeds. Use caution when hiking here and wear boots with great tread. I don’t recommend tennis shoes!
I don’t shoot for the 12-ring on a 3D target, I shoot for an ethical kill shot. I’m not in it to win it, I’m in it to eat it! Just look at my physique! The #11 mule deer buck target was in a hidden place that reminded me of a shot I passed up 15 years ago. I didn’t trust my gear to shoot over or through tall grass and passed on a mule deer doe up close. This target was at 52 yards, behind tall grass and we sere shooting slightly downhill on uneven footing. I tuned everything out, focused and slipped my Victory RIP Elite arrow in the sweet spot. Money!
It was hot when we got there, but by the time we got the halfway point we were just warming up. It was also about the time we started having the most fun. We shot well on our angled shots, but not so much on our straight on shots. We’d find out later, from a couple videos we took, that my follow through was nearly non-existent on the flat ground, but great on the steep shots. I made a mental note to work on my form and relax when shooting.
We finished the course in under two hours, were dripping with sweat, had tired legs that felt like Jell-O, and sported huge smiles from a sense of accomplishment. Max and I both agreed it was the best 3D course we had shot (only my second), but that we needed to get in better shape. Well, I said I needed to get in better shape. Round might be a shape, but it’s not doing me any favors. Max did have a great suggestion for Oak Tree Archery regarding the 3D Roving Course map. If you rotate the map 180 degrees, it makes more sense visually as you hike the course and is much easier to understand.
My legs may be sore, but I honestly cannot wait to go back and do it again! Hopefully, with a little encouragement, I can get a few other archers to go shoot the course, too. I think it’s a must for any bowhunter as it prepares you for bowhiking, hot days, and tough, but very fun, ethical shots. The Oak Tree Archery crew is awesome and I hear the 3D Roving Course is now NFAA certified, too. Congratulations to Alex and her team! For those of you who don’t want to hike the roving course, there is a stationary 3D course and a target course by the main office. This 3D course is also great to shoot and is still challenging. I highly encourage you archers, especially bowhunters, to go shoot the Oak Tree Archery 3D Roving Course. It’s a challenge well worth taking.
Oak Tree archery is outstanding. I can’t wait to go back and Shoot it again with the SoCal Bowhunter. There are alot of 3D Archery courses in California, that you feel Judged by the staff. But Oak Tree makes you feel like a life long friend you have not seen in a long time. Oak Tree is a 10 out of 10 in my book.
Hey man — just stumbled upon your site. I’m a newbie to archery, looking to venture into deer hunting Angeles Mountains near my home in Altadena. Anyway, I did Oak Tree last Friday on a whim, had one helluva good time, too. Good folks, worth the cheap price of $20, and a perfect way to practice my sights. Only thing, the heat and steep hills had me screaming mercy a few times.
Hey Sean! Oak Tree is great, isn’t it? A couple of us are heading there this Sunday to shoot and it’s supposed to be hawt! The hills kicked my butt last time, so I am hoping for a quality rematch.