Last weekend marked my third time attending the annual 1 Million BC Shoot, and it was easily one of the most enjoyable runs yet. This year, I went with the Archery Only group, repping our team jerseys and shooting alongside a great squad of fellow Barebow archers. There is nothing quite like walking a 3D course with a solid crew—the shared energy, and camaraderie made the entire weekend a blast.

Beyond the fun, a two-day, 63-target 3D tournament is always a fantastic proving ground for gear, physical conditioning, and shot execution. Reflecting on my scorecard, my rig setup, and course logistics gave me a clear picture of what worked well and what needs attention before the next event.

Tournament Highlights

Archery Only Team at 1 Million BC
AO Team at the 1MBC 2026

1. Course Structure, Sleep, and Morning Prep

The shoot spans two days across 63 targets, with about two-thirds of the course shot on Day 1 and the remaining third wrapped up on Day 2.

Waking up around 6:00 AM to get ready, drive out early, secure parking, and start on time is always a hurdle. This time, I didn’t get to sleep early enough before Day 1, which left me groggy on the range line. It took a long time to get fully warmed up and locked in, which definitely impacted my early ends.

  • Takeaway: For future multi-day tournaments, getting a solid night’s sleep and arriving with enough buffer time for a dedicated physical warm-up on the practice range is crutial.

2. Gear & Technology on the Range

  • Compact Binoculars: I brought a small pair of binoculars this time, but they were barely useful for resolving details for targets that were far away. I could have adjusted my shot if I had realized I missed the first one. Upgrading to a quality set of optics is high on my priority list before the next shoot.
  • Archery String Walker Calculator: I put my custom String Walking app to work on the course to help calculate angles and crawl notches. It proved extremely helpful—and best of all, I didn’t lose a single arrow all weekend! However, a formula is only as good as its inputs. To make the calculations even more precise, I need to fine-tune my baseline shot parameters so the software model matches my actual arrow flight perfectly.

3. Scorecard Breakdown & Performance Insights

I finished 7th in my division this time around. While it’s a respectable finish, I know there is a lot more performance left on the table—especially considering I only managed a single day of practice leading up to the event!

Comparing my 2026 scorecard to my 2024 results highlighted a few clear trends:

  • The 26–38 Yard Danger Zone: Data-wise, the medium-distance bracket (26 to 38 yards) is where I dropped the most points and missed the majority of my arrows (25 misses total across the weekend).
  • Short-Range Baseline: Even on closer targets, my scoring took a slight hit compared to 2024, proving that relying purely on muscle memory without steady range time only gets you so far.
  • Takeaway: To progress faster, I need to commit to a structured practice schedule. Focus #1 will be dialing in those 30+ yard shots where elevation drops and small estimation errors cost the most points.

4. Range Logistics: Ditching the Backpack

I carried a full backpack across the terrain this weekend. While it held my gear, taking it on and off at every target station was clumsy and physically draining over 63 targets.

  • Takeaway: A full pack is overkill. For the next event, I’m switching to a streamlined belt/quiver pouch setup or a lightweight chest rig just big enough for water, a few quick snacks, and my string-walking reference tool.

Looking Ahead to the Bug Shoot

Despite the early wake-ups and performance lessons, the weekend was a total win. Carpooling with Neil and the rest of the crew, shooting with the Barebow group, and capping off the shoot with post-event boba made every bit of effort worth it.

I have a clear blueprint for what to optimize next: better pre-shoot sleep, a real warm-up routine, updated optics, a lighter gear load, and dedicated 30+ yard practice.

Next stop on the calendar: The Bug Shoot in October! 🎯🏹

Updated: