TAC Beginner Guide

What Is the Total Archery Challenge?

The Total Archery Challenge is a multi-day outdoor 3D archery event held in real mountain terrain — steep ridgelines, canyon crossings, and shooting stations at distances ranging from close-range technical shots to well beyond 100 yards. No flat range. No manufactured course. The terrain is the challenge.

The community is one of the best parts. TAC draws bowhunters, competitive archers, weekend shooters, and elite competitors alike — and the culture is welcoming, not intimidating. First-timers are not looked down on.

What to Expect at Your First TAC

• Format: Self-guided. You move through shooting stations with a small group, shoot each target, and move to the next. No officials, no time pressure.
• No scoring: TAC is purely for fun and the experience. There's no leaderboard to chase.
• Terrain: Steep grades, uneven footing, canyon crossings. Plan your footwear and your fitness accordingly.
• Community: Welcoming and open. Shoot with experienced archers when you can — you'll learn more in a day at TAC than months at the range.
• Time commitment: Budget a full day on your feet. Bring food, water, and layers.

Gear You Actually Need

• Bow: Your hunting setup is fine. Make sure it's tuned. Shoot a draw weight you can hold comfortably through a long, fatiguing day.
• Sight: The most important gear decision for TAC. Fixed multi-pin maxed at 40 yards won't cover the course. You need an adjustable sight with a yardage tape — see below.
• Release: Whatever you're already shooting. Just make sure it's tuned before you go.
• Arrows: Field points only — no broadheads allowed. Bring more than you think you need.
• Rangefinder: Non-negotiable. Angle-compensating is the right call for TAC terrain.
• Physical gear: Broken-in boots, layers, daypack, water, snacks. Trekking poles if you need them.

The Hardest Part: Angle Shooting

If you've never shot significant angles, TAC will expose you. On angled terrain, the effective shooting distance is shorter than the line-of-sight distance — shoot the rangefinder reading without compensating and your arrow goes high every time.

The solution: an angle-compensating rangefinder that reads the angle and gives you the corrected "shoot to" distance. Range the target, read the compensated distance, dial your sight, shoot. Practice this process before you go — ideally on actual angled terrain, not a flat range.

Sight Setup for TAC

An adjustable sight with an accurate yardage tape is essential for TAC. Fixed multi-pin severely limits you at the distances and angles you'll encounter on course. You need to be able to dial past 60, 70, 80 yards quickly and accurately.

How to Practice for TAC

• Extend your distances now — get comfortable past 40 yards before the event
• Shoot uphill and downhill on any terrain you can find
• Work on holding at full draw under physical fatigue
• Practice your shot routine under pressure — commit to the process regardless of what's around you
• Consider shooting a local 3D event first if you've never shot a course format

Mental Game and Expectations

You will miss. Hopefully not a lot. But TAC humbles everyone, including archers who've been shooting for years. There's no score to chase. Focus on the experience and what each shot teaches you about your gear, your angle management, and your shot execution under pressure.

TAC puts you closer to a real hunting scenario than anything else you'll do at the range. If you can execute your process there, you can execute it on a real animal.

Day-Of Tips

• Arrive early — know where check-in is and give yourself time to settle in
• Pace yourself — it's a long day, don't burn out on the first half of the course
• Shoot with experienced archers when you can — watch how they range, dial, and execute
• Trust your rangefinder — don't second-guess it
• Have fun and talk to people — TAC community is one of the best in archery

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Total Archery Challenge?

TAC is a multi-day outdoor 3D archery event held in real mountain terrain. You move through shooting stations across steep ridges and canyon terrain, shooting 3D targets at extreme distances and angles. No scoring — it's an experience-first event built for bowhunters and competitive archers.

How far are the shots at TAC?

Shot distances vary widely — from close-range technical shots to well beyond 100 yards on some stations. Expect the average to fall in the 40–70 yard range, with plenty of outliers in both directions. An adjustable sight and angle-compensating rangefinder are essential.

What bow sight is best for TAC?

An adjustable single or vertical pin sight with an accurate yardage tape. Fixed multi-pin is limiting at TAC distances. Our top picks: HHA NYTRX, Spot Hogg Boonie, Dialed Pruf, and Axcel Driver. Come into the shop and we'll help you get the right setup dialed in.

Do I need a rangefinder for TAC?

Yes — non-negotiable. An angle-compensating rangefinder reads the shot angle and gives you the corrected "shoot to" distance. That corrected number is what you dial on your sight. Don't show up to TAC without one.

How do I practice for angled shots before TAC?

Find any elevated terrain you can — a hill, an elevated deck, a treestand platform. Practice shooting up and down at varied distances with your angle-compensating rangefinder. The principle: the effective shooting distance on an angled shot is shorter than the line-of-sight reading. Practice applying that correction before you show up.

Is TAC good for beginners?

TAC is open to all skill levels and the community is welcoming. If you have solid compound bow fundamentals and the right gear setup, you can enjoy TAC as a beginner. The shots will be humbling — but that's the value of it. Go for the experience, not the performance.