Everyone, from all skill levels, are welcome - shoot for fun or join in for a little friendly competition. If you do decide to compete, the way we’ve organized payouts, everyone has a chance to win their money back (and then some). Want to learn more? Check out our FAQ’s below.

GENERAL FAQ

  • No, the Bowhunters Rendezvous at South Pass is not a competition and archers of all skill levels are welcome to participate. For those looking to scratch their competitive itch, a separate pay-to-play option is available, called the “Shootdown.” Everyone in the Shootdown, regardless of ability, has a chance to win money due to the way archers are “flighted.” Check out the competition FAQs to learn more.

  • You can sign up for the 2025 Bowhunters Rendezvous at South Pass by visiting the “Get Tickets” page at www.northforkarcheryclub.com/rendezvous

  • If you would like to walk the courses, but do not plan on shooting, you still need to get a free ticket as a “non-shooter.” Walking the course is only available to those who have a shooter as part of their party (i.e., a parent walking with the course with their child). You do not need to register if you do not plan to enter the courses.

  • We strongly recommend registering online for your shooting passes, as there is potential for this event to sell out. A small number of event shirts will be available for purchase at the shoot, but by ordering a shirt ahead of time, you’ll be sure to receive one when you arrive. Online registration is discounted and will also reduce the amount of time you spend waiting at the registration tables. Pre-registered archers will also receive a gift bag upon arrival.

  • Shooting passes are good for both days, even if you only plan to shoot one day. We do not have separate passes for one-day shooters.

  • Broadheads are not permitted. Any archer caught using broadheads on either of the two courses or the practice range will be asked to exit the shoot. This rule is in place for safety and the preservation of our 3-D targets.

  • The two courses must be shot in correct order, as they are designed to prevent stray arrows from coming near other archers. If you are not in the competition, you do not have to shoot from the stakes, however you do need to shoot in line with the stake and the target as they have been placed to ensure a safe shot.

  • No, crossbows are not permitted at the Bowhunters Rendezvous.

  • No more than 4 archers may shoot at a single target at the same time. Groups larger than 4 should enter the course at the same time, and split their party into an “A” and “B” group. In this scenario, group “A” would shoot and pull their arrows, and move towards the next target. Then group “B” would do the same. This gives the party plenty of opportunities to interact with one another throughout the shoot, but improves the “pace of play.” North Fork Archery Club (NFAC) will not force an immediate family group to split up (i.e., two parents and three children), but we do ask these families to be considerate of other archers and allow smaller, faster groups to “play through.”

  • A small number of North Fork Archery Club (NFAC) members are licensed medical professionals, and the club has a medical plan in place should illness and injury occur. HOWEVER, this does NOT mean emergency medical services will be immediately available should a severe event occur while participating. Minor illnesses and injuries can be treated near the registration tables, but it is important to remember this event is located deep in the National Forest, and NFAC will not hesitate to arrange emergency transportation – via satellite communication – to a dedicated medical facility if needed. It is incumbent upon the participants to practice safe archery habits, stay hydrated and know their physical limits before attending this shoot.

  • Neither of the two courses will be handicap accessible. The terrain varies, and hiking is required. The registration and vendor area will largely be accessible to everyone.

COMPETITION “SHOOTDOWN” FAQ

  • We’ll have men’s, women’s, young adult (men/women 14-17 years old) and youth (boys/girls 13 and below) divisions. There’ll be only one shooting “style” for each division – North Fork Archery Club (NFAC) bowhunter.

  • Simply put, you must use your hunting bow and the equipment you plan to hunt with (minus broadheads). The intent for this division is to help folks prepare for hunting season. If you try to “game the system,” you run the risk of disqualification. Equipment to be used in the competitive divisions WILL be inspected at registration. Quivers are optional, but those with a quiver system will be awarded one (1) bonus mulligan. Just use your hunting bow and you’ll be fine!

    Restricted items include:

    • Bows not of a neutral color or camoflauge, including white

    • Bows with an axle-to-axle length greater than 36 inches, unless approved prior to event

    • Bows with a front stabilizer longer than 18 inches, unless using a Quivalizer

    • Dedicated target archery rests with a blade-style launcher arm

    • Arrows with a diameter greater than 6.5mm

    • Glued-in points (field points must be threaded into – and able to be easily removed from – the arrow’s component system)

    • Magnification of any kind. Verifiers and clarifiers that do not provide magnification are allowed.

    • Bows greater than 80 lbs draw weight, or faster than 300 fps +/- 5 fps (this is to preserve our target inserts)

    • Bow sights that utilize “marks” rather than a “tape.” Sights that feature both options are allowed as long as marks aren’t used during the shoot. If you’re unsure about your sight, it likely uses a sight tape. 99.9% of bowhunters use a sight tape if they prefer to dial to longer yardages.

  • Absolutely! If your setup doesn’t meet NFAC bowhunter requirements, you can still shoot the course for fun.

  • The Bowhunters Rendezvous competition will follow standard scoring guidelines of 12, 10, 8, 5 and 0. 12 points will be awarded to an arrow touching the line of the innermost, smallest ring, and so forth. For targets with more than one “12 ring,” only the centermost ring will count as a 12.

  • Acceptable quiver systems include any vertically mounted quiver that attaches to the bow’s riser or sight, a belt mounted quiver system like the one from Total Peep, or a Quivalizer. Belted hip quivers are not considered a quiver system and will not grant you a bonus mulligan, though they are permitted during the shoot. An additional two (2) mulligans can be purchased each day for $5. The maximum number of mulligans an archer may have in a day is three (3).

  • You can shoot with anyone you like on day one of the competition, but on Sunday shooters will be “flighted” with others in a similar “skill group.” For example, if you shoot a score of 218 on day one, and your friend shoots a score of 186, you will be assigned to a group with scores similar to yours, and your friend will be assigned to a group with scores similar to theirs. There will be 4 shooters per flighted group. We do this to reduce the chance of cheating or even the perception of cheating. Plus, it’s fun to meet new people! Be sure to check your flight assignments on Saturday evening or very early Sunday morning. 

  • We’ll take a look at the number of shooters in each division and assess how best to break everyone evenly into flights based on their day one scores. The top three finishers in each flight after day two will earn a payout, so everyone who shoots – regardless of skill level – has a chance to win some money. Ties will be broken by a “shootoff” on the “monster” target, and checks will be mailed after the conclusion of the shoot. 

    So, let’s say the men’s division has 50 shooters. We’d put 10 people in each flight for a total of five (5) flights. And, with a $50 entry for the competition, for a total pot of $2,500, here’s what that payout would look like (subject to change). See below for payout example*

  • You don’t have to be present to win flight payouts, but you do have to be present to win raffle prizes.

  • Yes, rangefinders are permitted and encouraged. We recommend the Maven RF.1 for picking up accurate ranges on those dark targets in the shade.

  • Most shots will be between 20 to 50 yards, but we’ll have some longer (and shorter) shots as well, including the Rinehart moose at about 100 yards in the adult divisions. We’ll have different, closer shooting stakes for our younger shooters.

  • We always recommend talking to the rule-breaker in question before reporting them to NFAC staff. Most of the time, folks aren’t doing anything malicious, but if you end up with any concerns just let us know.

  • We’ll conduct the shoot regardless of the weather, but if lightning kicks up you’ll need to exit the course and pay attention to further instructions from NFAC staff located at the registration tables.