By Brenden Troster
for the Tribune

Albert Lea’s Full Draw Archery Club hosted the first part of an indoor 3-D archery tournament last weekend. Yes, that’s right. Three dimensional.

What’s that mean?

It’s not as technological as it sounds. It simply means instead of aiming at flat targets, like a bull’s eye, the archers aim at objects with depth in addition to height and width.

The club, in the Knutson Building at 133 S. Newton Ave,, is set up to host realistic animal targets for bow hunters and enthusiasts.

Jody Larson, a member of the Full Draw Archery Club’s board, said that the only other city in the region with the same capability to host indoor 3-D archery targets is Mason City, Iowa. The tournament attracted 31 people from Albert Lea, Austin, Mason City, Owatonna, and Faribault.

The club set up 30 numbered targets varying in difficulty based on range. Point values of five, eight and 10 are ascribed to the “kill zones” on the targets marked out by concentric circles. Larson said the targets help because of their realistic nature.

An indoor range allows archers to play their sport year-round, but it’s not the same as being outside.

“The weather is the missing factor,” Larson said. “The wind can affect your shot by up to two feet.”

Despite limitations the indoor 3-D targets allow archers to gather for some friendly competition. Archers in the tournament were split into age brackets ranging from 7 and up.

The annual 3-D tournament is completed over three weekends followed by an awards banquet at the Albert Lea American Legion Club in April. The person with the highest point accumulation is awarded with a plaque. Perhaps the most satisfying aspect Larson pointed to was the bragging rights garnered through beating the players from surrounding areas.

The next round in the tournament begins Feb. 4 at 5 p.m. The club is open to those interested in trying their hand at 3-D target shooting on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $1 and all ages are welcome. For information contact Roger Bakken at 507-373-7377.