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Interview with Gaius Carter

Gaius Carter

NFAA professional archer, Gaius Carter, took the time to answer some questions for us after his big win at the NFAA Marked 3D National Championships in Redding, California. Take a look at his responses below!

1. How do you feel your preparation for the 2022 NFAA Marked 3D National Championship helped you?

In 2021 I finished in a tie for 3rd place in Redding. I used the knowledge and experience gained to not only make the necessary modifications to my equipment, but to also strengthen my approach mentally coming into this years event. I took advantage of an opportunity to compete in the Fresno, CA leg of the West Coast Outlaw Tour the weekend before Redding. While it was a much smaller event than Marked Nationals, it gave me a chance to fine-tune my set up in a tournament atmosphere rather than trying to make adjustments from the comfort of my home range. I spent the week leading up to nationals in Redding shooting and getting myself acclimated to the course while simultaneously applying what I learned in Fresno. Doing so allowed me to roll into the weekend with absolute confidence and a clear and concise game plan.

2. How does the NFAA Marked 3D National event compare to others for you?

Personally, I think Redding is the ultimate litmus test of an archer’s all around skill set. It tests an archer’s preparedness in every aspect that the game has to offer. Archers must be mentally and physically tough over 3 grueling days of shooting. Shooters face different obstacles every day, from changing weather patterns to different types of terrain to long wait times between targets. Redding is unlike any other tournament in the sense that most archers will shoot varying parts of the course each day making it impossible to even compare scores until the final arrow has been shot on day 3. In my opinion, marked 3D nationals is the hardest professional archery tournament to win. It brings out the best archers that this planet has to offer and winning it takes a performance closely resembling perfection. It is unequivocally, “The Vegas Shoot” of outdoor archery.

3. What is your favorite part about the NFAA Marked 3D National Championship?

The NFAA Marked 3D championship is the epitome of Safari style tournaments that have dominated the west coast for decades. The long-standing history of Redding is fascinating to me. Clubs all over the country run Redding warm-up events modeled after the shoot. The fact that one club has had so much influence on the sport is humbling and I’m so honored to be a part of its great history. I truly love everything about it and it’s impossible to choose a favorite part, but undeniably what makes this event stand out above every other tournament I shoot is the social aspect. On or off the course, the competitors are always friendly and the event staff are always exceptional. The saying is true; “Once you attend the Redding shoot, you will never miss it again!”

4. What is your favorite NFAA event to shoot?

Anyone who has seen my custom quiver depicting the Bigfoot target from Redding knows the answer to that! Unquestionably Redding. The Vegas Shoot is a close second though, and while I’ve made the Vegas shoot-off in back to back years, I have yet to win that one. It has always been my dream to win Redding and Vegas. I managed to make my dream of winning Redding a reality so I will clean up some things in my indoor game and do everything I can to get a win in Vegas in the coming years. Lastly, I have a soft spot for NFAA field. On any given year you can always expect to see me in Redding, The Vegas Shoot and Outdoor Field Nationals.

5. Was this your first Pro win at an NFAA event and how did it feel?

Yes, this was my first major professional win. I’ve won several other smaller venue tournaments, and I actually won the event in Fresno the weekend prior against some phenomenal shooters. While Redding was technically my first pro win, it’s important to note that it was not the first time I’ve won it in my mind. I had mentally prepared for and envisioned it happening countless times for several years prior to it actually happening. When my moment finally came I felt like I had already been there before, and I was ready for it. Never underestimate the power of vivid imagination. Close your eyes and see it. Do this often enough and when your time comes, you too will be ready.

6. What win do you have your sights set on next?

That’s not a good characterization of how I approach the game. Each event that I compete in all I expect out of myself is to focus on controlling the things that I can control and let everything else go. Generally speaking, I treat every tournament the same. I’m not going to give any more or any less effort to any specific event but to answer the question directly, the tournament I want to win the most is the next one on the calendar.

7. Any advice you’d give to new archers?

Don’t rush and don’t expect too much from yourself too soon. Wanting more out of yourself is great but practice in a way that builds confidence rather than doing things to destroy it. It’s not about the quantity of arrows a person shoots, it’s the quality of arrows they shoot. I have a motto that I live by when I need to focus and center myself. Execute with intent. Whether I’m in a practice session or I’m shooting for score it keeps me grounded and focused on the task at hand. My intent may not be the same as your intent, that’s irrelevant, because whether you’re chasing a 5 dollar bet for closest to center or one final arrow at 88 yards for the win in Redding, every single shot needs to be executed with a purpose.

I want to thank the National Field Archery Association and all of the sponsors that make the sport and these events possible. At only 22 years old I am beyond blessed to work and shoot professionally in an industry I genuinely love.

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