How to Prepare for the Bowhunters Rendezvous at South Pass
Here’s everything you need to know about prepping for NFAC’s upcoming mountain shoot.
As we draw closer to the 2025 Bowhunters Rendezvous at South Pass presented by Maven (say that 10 times fast), it’s important to be prepared! We do have an FAQ section for the event, but this article will serve to provide a little bit of additional context and information.
Camping
Because the shoot will be held on the Shoshone National Forest, there’ll be no shortage of dispersed camping sites near the event. The “Loop Road” can be accessed from Lander or South Pass (the South Pass entrance is the fastest way to the shoot), and there are plenty of awesome campsites within minutes of the shoot. A contingent of club members will head up in the days preceding the event to establish a “circling of the wagons” at the event site, but we won’t know how many folks will be able to fit their campers/tents at the site until the weekend of the event. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a club member if you need help finding a spot!
Lander is home to a number of hotels and motels, so you’re more than welcome to stay in town if you’d rather not rough it in the mountains. You can count on a roughly 45-minute drive from Lander to the event location. Lander gets busy in the summer, so if you would like a hotel room, it’s best to book as early as possible.
Food and Water
We’ve arranged for a food truck to be present at the event, so be sure to bring some cash for a quick bite while you’re up there. The truck will be serving up Cajun cuisine, as well as some classic American favorites. It doesn’t hurt to bring some snacks along as well, especially when you’re out on the course. Food truck aside, it’ll be incumbent upon you to bring any additional food items you’d like to have.
Atlantic City Federal Credit Union has graciously donated water for our on-course water stations. You’ll want to bring your own bottle, like a Nalgene or similar, but you won’t have to worry about going thirsty during the shoot. Water will also be available at the registration tables. Anything else, like soda, Gatorade, or an energy drink, will be up to you. We will also have hydration packets from Wilderness Athlete available for the first 200 registrants. We’ll all be outdoors at a relatively high altitude, so be sure to stay hydrated throughout the day.
What to Wear
Sure, it’ll be Summer in Wyoming, but that also means it’ll be Summer in Wyoming. Not sure what that means? It means be prepared for anything! The shoot will happen whether it’s raining or shining, so be sure to bring appropriate attire for the elements. No matter how warm it is during the day, it’ll always cool off at night, so pack a hoodie, puffy jacket, or whatever you need to stay warm and enjoy the after-hours events we have planned. It’s a good idea to have rain gear and a change of clothes in case we get a little weather.
As for the archery part, you’ll want some shoes/boots and clothes you’re comfortable hiking in. Many people like to wear a small backpack to keep their snacks, water, additional layers, and other necessities close by. Because the courses will wind through varied terrain, we don’t don’t recommend wearing open-toed shoes or sandals.
Restrooms and Facilities
The Loop Road features some campgrounds with USFS facilities, but these are limited and not necessarily close to the venue. To account for this, NFAC will have a series of port-o-johns set near the registration/parking area. If you feel the need the dive off into the woods to take care of your business, we ask that you practice discretion and adhere to leave-no-trace guidelines.
Bears
It’s unlikely we’ll see a bear while out on the courses, but we are in the mountains and in their territory. It’s important to “Be Bear Aware” and not leave trash lying around in a place where a bear can get to it. The most common bear species in the southern Wind River range is the Black Bear, and while there isn’t an established population of Griz in the area, it’s still a good idea to carry bear spray with you. If you run into a bear, or see fresh sign of a bear, please let NFAC staff know.
Archery Equipment
By the time the Rendezvous happens, it’ll be late July and everyone will know which tags they did (or didn’t) draw. Archery antelope will be right around the corner, and it might be tempting to test out a broadhead or two, but BROADHEADS ARE NOT PERMITTED at the Rendezvous site or on any NFAC targets. If you feel the need to fling some broadheads, please do so on your own target in a safe location away from the shoot. The same rules apply to crossbows. Crossbow bolts are far more damaging to our targets than a standard arrow, so please refrain from bringing and using crossbows at the shoot.
All compound and traditional bows are allowed at the shoot. There are no restrictions on equipment if you’re just shooting for fun. If you’re going to participate in the Kifaru Shootdown, you must shoot a hunting bow. Target-style bows will not be permitted in the competition. There is more information on this in the FAQ section of the website, but please understand that – while many of our club members are avid competitive archers – the intent for this shoot is to get ready for hunting season and practice shots you’d encounter while hunting.
The Kifaru Shootdown
The Kifaru Shootdown is a separate, competitive element of the Bowhunters Rendezvous. You don’t have to participate in the Shootdown to enjoy the courses, but you should, because it’s 100% payout and everyone has a chance to win some money. Unlike many other shoots where only the top three archers win, we’ll be flighting everyone based on their day one results, and you only have to finish in the top three of your flight to win money. You never know how the flights will break down, so regardless of how you perform on day one, you could still be the top archer in your flight! Please be sure to read the Competition FAQ’s carefully and turn your score card in on time. After day one, check in at the NFAC tables to see where you’re flighted for Sunday.
Games and Raffles
We’ve got some pretty awesome raffle items for the shoot, including stuff from Maven, Kifaru, Bowtech, Wind River Outdoor Co., Sheep Feet, Montana Knife Company, Wilderness Athlete, OnX Maps and more! Please bring cash with you as we won’t have the ability to run cards from the venue (no cell service). Everyone who attends will be given one raffle ticket for a Maven optic – all of the other prizes will be part of a “bucket raffle.” YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN. The raffle will be held on Sunday afternoon when the courses close.
On Saturday, we’ll start the fun games at 5:00 pm and conclude with a “critter shoot” in the dark. You’ll want to bring a headlamp or flashlight as you’ll have to take short shots at small targets. It helps to have a friend! The fun games are “money games” and will be $10 to enter with a 50% payout. For the poker game, you’ll shoot 5 arrows at a lineup of cards against an opponent. Whoever has the best hand wins, and it’s tournament bracket style. For the milk jug shoot, you’ll shoot arrows into a milk jug filled with water until it empties enough to trigger the counter weight. Again, this’ll be tournament bracket style. You must sign up for these games at the registration tables. Once the tournament field is filled, that’s it!
Happy Hour & Adult Beverages
After a long day of hiking around the mountains and shooting a bow, many folks think a cold one sounds pretty darn good…and we agree! Our friends at Kifaru are hosting a happy hour at their tent on Saturday afternoon, and you’re more than welcome to join them or grab something from your personal cooler. However, once the can pops, the shooting stops, so don’t go drink a bunch of “aiming fluid” and head out on the course. There’ll be no alcohol for sale, so aside from the happy hour it’s BYOB. Just be responsible – you don’t want to be the person who gets 86’d from an archery shoot.
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Well, there you have it! That should be about everything you need to know in order to have a great time at the 2025 Bowhunters Rendezvous at South Pass presented by Maven. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at northforkarcheryclub@gmail.com.