Archers will have a chance to show their prowess with a bow and arrow at the Silvertip Archers outdoor 3-D shoot this weekend.
The annual event features around 100 archers of all ages from across northern B.C. taking aim at a total of 80 life-like animal styrofoam targets (two rounds of 20 both today and tomorrow) that are spread around a four- to five-kilometre course.
"The real draw is it's all about skill," said Silvertip Archers president and organizer Don Reeves.
"They don't know the distance from the target, but they will know the approximate kill zone (heart and lungs). It really challenges the archers' skill. It's geared towards hunters to practice their skills, but 90 per cent of archers don't hunt.
"It's also about getting out there (with a group) and the social aspect that draws a lot of people."
Competitors in both the compound and traditional divisions will walk through the bush at the Silvertip outdoor range on Highway 16 East in groups of four, shooting from various distances. It usually takes four hours to complete the two rounds.
The tournament gets underway at 8 a.m. today and continues until 5 p.m. On Sunday, it begins at 8 a.m. and continues until 2 p.m. Prizes will be awarded afterwards.
Open registration is today from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and anyone may compete in any shooting class that doesn't specify age restrictions.
Age divisions include masters 50 (person must be 50 years or older on the day of the shoot); youth (ages 14-17), cub (ages 11-13) pre-cub (ages eight to 10), and peewees (seven and under).
