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.

Florida Quota Hunt Applications Are Open: Here’s What North Florida Hunters Need to Know

If you plan on hunting Florida public land this season, now is the time to pay attention.

Florida’s quota hunt application periods are opening for the 2026–2027 season, and if you hunt Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), this process can make the difference between spending fall in a stand—or sitting at home wishing you had applied. Quota permits help manage hunting pressure and provide quality opportunities across public lands throughout the state.

For many North Florida hunters, quota hunts are the gateway to some of the best deer, turkey, hog, and specialty opportunities available on public land.

Whether you’re a seasoned WMA hunter or applying for your first permit, here’s a breakdown of what you need to know.

What Is a Florida Quota Hunt?

Florida uses a quota permit system to control hunter numbers on certain public lands and hunt periods. These permits are used on many WMAs to reduce overcrowding and help wildlife managers maintain healthy game populations.

Not every hunt requires a quota permit, and rules vary by WMA and season, which is why reading the individual area brochure is critical. Community hunters frequently point to brochures as one of the most important tools for understanding access and hunt rules.

For hunters across North Florida, this could include opportunities for:

Whitetail deer
Turkey
Hog hunts
Waterfowl
Special opportunity hunts
Limited-entry public land hunts

How To Apply for Florida Quota Permits

The application process is fairly straightforward once you know where to go.

Step 1: Create or Log Into Your Account

Go to the official Florida licensing portal:

Go Outdoors Florida

Log into your account or create one if you’re a first-time applicant.

Step 2: Select “Apply for Limited Entry / Quota Permits”

Inside your account dashboard, navigate to:

Apply for Limited Entry / Quota Permits

Florida’s limited-entry system handles quota hunts, special opportunity hunts, and other draw-based opportunities.

Step 3: Research Your WMA Before Applying

Before selecting a hunt:

Read WMA brochures
Study hunt dates
Review weapon restrictions
Check quota requirements
Understand access rules

This is especially important because some North Florida areas have different rules depending on archery, muzzleloader, and general gun periods.

Step 4: Submit Your Choices

Choose your hunt preferences and submit your application before deadlines close.

Application periods open at designated times and close at midnight on the final day of the application period.

A Few Tips From Florida Public Land Hunters

Over time, experienced hunters around the state have learned a few things:

Build preference points over time
Apply consistently every year
Consider less popular dates or hunt periods
Read brochures carefully
Have backup plans

Many Florida hunters note that some highly sought-after quota hunts can take years of preference points to consistently draw.

North Florida Areas Worth Researching

Depending on where you live, many hunters begin looking at areas around:

Suwannee County
Big Bend region
Osceola area properties
North Central Florida WMAs
Public lands surrounding Madison and Lake City

The best approach is identifying land within driving distance and learning those properties year after year.

Final Thoughts

Florida’s public land system can feel confusing when you’re first getting started. Between brochures, preference points, quota applications, and different regulations, there’s definitely a learning curve.

But once you understand it, some incredible opportunities open up.

At Timber & Marsh, we’ll continue sharing North Florida hunting updates, public land information, and community discussions to help hunters stay informed.

If you’re applying this year, let us know what areas you’re putting in for and where you’re hoping to spend your fall.

Good luck, and we’ll see you in the woods.

— Timber & Marsh