The Bodnik Bowhunter Challenge 2025 goes far beyond a typical 3D archery tournament – it's an immersive experience for those who truly live and breathe instinctive and traditional archery. Set in the untouched beech forests of the Romanian Carpathians, this event revives the authentic spirit of bowhunting. It's not about showmanship – it's about real challenge, deep connection, and community.

The build-up to this event pushed our entire team physically and mentally. The adult 3D course, featuring 32 hand-placed targets, winds through steep hills and dense natural beechwood terrain. With days of rain beforehand, trails became muddy, slick, and demanding.

Even getting into the course area proved difficult: our Volvo, unequipped for rough terrain, got stuck in deep mud. It took a tractor and team effort to haul in the 3D targets and finish setup on time.

The work was exhausting, but meaningful. Because at the Bodnik Bowhunter Challenge, every shooting lane tells a story.

We intentionally avoid distance-focused shots that dominate many modern tournaments. Instead, we create authentic bowhunting scenarios: short to medium distances, realistic angles, terrain-based positioning – all crafted to reflect real-life bowhunting situations that demand instinct, skill, and awareness.

This is the heart of the Bodnik Bows philosophy, lived and shaped by Henry Bodnik and the Bodnik Bow Boys.

Alongside the main course, we built a dedicated kids' course with 18 targets, scaled to match young archers' abilities. Split into two groups and guided by adult mentors, the children had a chance to connect with the sport safely and joyfully while their parents competed on the main course.

What sets the Bodnik Bowhunter Challenge apart is its commitment to bowhunting realism over artificial complexity.

Henry Bodnik personally designed every shot with a single guiding question: "Would this feel like a real hunting moment?"

Only hits in the kill zone count – just like in real-world bowhunting. No exaggerated long shots, no theatrical setups – just authentic, terrain-based shots that require control, intuition, and honest execution.

This tournament revives the roots of traditional bowhunting – and brings them into a competitive, yet grounded environment.

On Friday night, the range lit up under torchlight. In a special after-dark competition, archers shot three arrows at a firelit 3D target. Only those with successful hits advanced to the next round.

The final came down to precision and nerve – and Toni Krenn from Austria emerged as the winner, earning the prestigious Henry Bodnik Bowie Knife.

Saturday evening brought a true test of power: the infamous 103 lbs Super Shrew longbow. The challenge? Shoot a 3D ham target from 50 meters.

Over 100 attempts were made. Anton Valentin impressed everyone by drawing the massive bow multiple times – but only Toni Krenn managed to hit the mark, taking home a real smoked ham as his prize.

→ Coming in Part 2: Youth competition moments, final round intensity, and Attila Plahi’s victory for Serbia at the Bodnik Bowhunter Challenge 2025.