There’s something about late summer in Florida that gets bowhunters excited. Trail cameras start lighting up, food plots are growing, and broadheads start replacing field points. For many hunters across Florida and South Georgia, that excitement begins with one event every year — the Bow Hunter’s Challenge at the Easton Newberry Archery Center.

Held annually at the world-class Easton Newberry Archery Center in Newberry, Florida, this event has become one of the Southeast’s premier 3D archery competitions specifically designed with hunters in mind. It’s not just a tournament. It’s a chance to test your hunting setup, shoot under pressure, and prepare for the upcoming season in a realistic environment.

What Is the Bow Hunter’s Challenge?

The Bow Hunter’s Challenge is a large-scale 3D archery competition hosted by the Easton Newberry Archery Center every year in late summer before hunting season kicks off.

Unlike many competitive target archery events, this shoot is built specifically around hunting-style setups and realistic shot scenarios. Archers shoot life-sized 3D animal targets at varying distances while competing against others in their division.

The event combines competition, camaraderie, and preseason preparation into one of the most anticipated archery gatherings in Florida.

According to Easton Newberry, the event is designed to help hunters “dust off their hunting rigs” and get final preparation before heading into the woods for deer season.

2026 Event Details

The 12th Annual Bow Hunter’s Challenge is scheduled for August 29th, 2026 at the Easton Newberry Archery Center in Newberry, Florida.

Registration Information

Competitors can register online or by phone ahead of the event.

Pricing for 2026 includes:

• $40 early registration before August 20th
• $45 late registration
• $55 onsite registration

Onsite registration runs from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM, with announcements and shooting beginning at 9:00 AM.

One cool feature of preregistering is that shooters are automatically entered into the door prize drawings, which have become a major attraction of the event over the years.

Food vendors are also onsite from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, turning the shoot into an all-day event for competitors and spectators alike.

The 3D Competition Format

The main event features 20 3D targets laid out in a hunting-style course.

The competition uses ASA-style scoring and equipment rules with a few hunter-focused modifications. A 14-ring is included but must be called before the shot, and competitors shoot from different stakes depending on division and experience level.

One thing that makes this event unique is that it stays centered around practical hunting equipment instead of highly specialized tournament setups.

Hunter Setup Rules

The Bow Hunter’s Challenge allows realistic hunting rigs, including:

• Stabilizers 12 inches or shorter
• Fixed or adjustable pin sights
• Magnification permitted
• Rangefinders allowed

Broadheads are not permitted during competition.

For many bowhunters, this makes the event incredibly valuable because it allows them to practice with the same setup they’ll carry into the deer woods a few weeks later.

Divisions and Yardages

The event offers divisions for nearly every skill level and bow style.

Open Divisions

• Maximum distance: 45 yards

Men’s Hunter & Senior Hunter

• Maximum distance: 40 yards

Women’s Hunter, Barebow, Olympic Recurve, Bow Novice, and Young Adult Open

• Maximum distance: 30 yards

Traditional and Youth Open

• Maximum distance: 25 yards

This wide variety of divisions allows everyone from experienced competitive shooters to first-time 3D archers to participate comfortably.

The Challenge Rounds

One of the most talked-about parts of the Bow Hunter’s Challenge is the bonus challenge rounds after the main course.

Long Shot Challenge

The Long Shot Challenge tests archers at distances over 90 yards. Shooters pay per arrow for a chance to land closest to center and win a Delta McKenzie 3D target.

• 1 arrow for $1
• 6 arrows for $5

It’s part competition and part entertainment, and it always draws a crowd.

“Hold My Drink” Challenge

This challenge consists of five additional novelty-style targets shot after the main competition. Every competitor is automatically entered.

Archers can choose which challenges to attempt, but only get one shot per target. The shooter with the most successful hits walks away with another Delta McKenzie target prize.

These extra events are a huge reason why the Bow Hunter’s Challenge feels more like a community gathering than a standard archery tournament.

Why Bowhunters Love This Event

The Bow Hunter’s Challenge has become so popular because it bridges the gap between target archery and real hunting situations.

Shooting foam in your backyard is one thing. Walking through a wooded 3D course, judging angles, controlling nerves, and making one clean shot at each target is much closer to what hunters experience in the field.

Many archers also use the event as a final tune-up before archery seasons open across Florida and the Southeast.

The atmosphere is welcoming to beginners while still being competitive enough for experienced shooters.

The Easton Newberry Archery Center

The Easton Newberry Archery Center itself is one of the premier archery facilities in the country. Located just outside Gainesville, Florida, the facility regularly hosts major state and national archery tournaments.

The center features professional outdoor ranges, indoor facilities, and some of the best 3D archery infrastructure in the Southeast.

Its reputation has helped make the Bow Hunter’s Challenge a destination event for serious bowhunters throughout the region.

Sponsors and Door Prizes

Another reason this event has gained such a loyal following is the incredible sponsor support.

Over the years, companies including Hoyt, Bass Pro Shops, Gold Tip, Bee Stinger, Fuse, and Delta McKenzie have contributed prizes and support to the event.

According to Easton Newberry, previous Bow Hunter’s Challenge events have included over $5,000 worth of merchandise and giveaways for competitors.

Final Thoughts

For Florida bowhunters, the Bow Hunter’s Challenge is more than just a tournament. It’s the unofficial kickoff to hunting season.

It’s a chance to reconnect with fellow hunters, test your equipment under pressure, and spend a day shooting realistic targets with people who are just as obsessed with archery season as you are.

Whether you’re a competitive shooter or somebody simply trying to make sure your broadheads are flying true before opening morning, this event deserves a spot on your preseason calendar.

If you love bowhunting, 3D archery, and the culture surrounding both, the Easton Newberry Bow Hunter’s Challenge is one event you need to experience at least once.