Field Archery – what's it like?
Origins
Field Archery began in North America as a means of practising bow hunting skills in the closed season. The idea of a simulated hunt remains central to the modern sport of Field Archery.
The Sport
Field archers often shoot on Sundays. Small groups of archers enjoy themselves by taking turns to shoot at each target on the course. Each archer tests and improves his or her skill by judging such variables as the distance and the angle of the shot in attempting to place an arrow as close as possible to the centre of the scoring zone. Scores are kept on cards. There are numerous types of competitions or 'rounds' with a variety of rules and scoring systems.
The Course
Field Archery courses are designed to be safe and fun. A course may have from 14 to 36 or more targets. Each target is different. Distances range from five to seventy-five metres. Pegs in the ground indicate where archers must stand to shoot. Suitable distances are set for junior archers. With safety foremost in mind, course designers use the features of the terrain and vegetation to create interesting, challenging and sometimes visually deceptive shots to entertain the competitor. Direction arrows guide archers around the course.
Equipment
Almost any kind of archery equipment may be used from home-made to high-tech. Each style of equipment forms a class in which archers compete. Some of the most popular classes in the UK today are: Long Bow, Hunting Tackle, American Flat Bow, Barebow, Bow Hunter, Freestyle and Unlimited. Some archers favour a compound bow with wheels or cams that enable the bow to be held longer at full draw. Others find the current resurgence of interest in primitive archery to their taste. Some use a site for aiming. Others use only their instinct to judge the elevation of the bow.
In addition to a bow and arrows, archers also carry a quiver to hold arrows. These can be fletches-forward or fletches rear-ward (reccommended) belt quivers, or various forms of back/shoulder quiver. The fingers that contact the string are protected by a shooting 'tab' or three-fingered shooting glove. The forearm of the bow hand is covered by a 'bracer'. The other vital accessory is a pair of sturdy boots to provide a supportive foundation for each shot and get you over rough or wet ground.
Whatever your preference for equipment, shooting among the trees will add another dimension to your enjoyment of archery. It is a good idea to choose a bow that is not so encumbered with attachments that walking through vegetation becomes a challenge in itself. If you are new to archery, then before heading off to buy the kit of your choice it is advised that you seek the input of an experienced archer. Please also look at the page 'Getting Started'.
Here are some UK archery retailers to browse:
www.quicks.com
www.bowsports.com
and Scotland's own superior bow makers www.borderbows.com
Technical Information
Here are a number of our technical bulletins geared to traditional styles to help you along the way as you get to know your equipment.
Safety Rules
The Game Round
The Flemish Bow String
String Serving
Traditional Bow Tuning
Email Strathardle Archers
Origins
Field Archery began in North America as a means of practising bow hunting skills in the closed season. The idea of a simulated hunt remains central to the modern sport of Field Archery.
The Sport
Field archers often shoot on Sundays. Small groups of archers enjoy themselves by taking turns to shoot at each target on the course. Each archer tests and improves his or her skill by judging such variables as the distance and the angle of the shot in attempting to place an arrow as close as possible to the centre of the scoring zone. Scores are kept on cards. There are numerous types of competitions or 'rounds' with a variety of rules and scoring systems.
The Course
Field Archery courses are designed to be safe and fun. A course may have from 14 to 36 or more targets. Each target is different. Distances range from five to seventy-five metres. Pegs in the ground indicate where archers must stand to shoot. Suitable distances are set for junior archers. With safety foremost in mind, course designers use the features of the terrain and vegetation to create interesting, challenging and sometimes visually deceptive shots to entertain the competitor. Direction arrows guide archers around the course.
Equipment
Almost any kind of archery equipment may be used from home-made to high-tech. Each style of equipment forms a class in which archers compete. Some of the most popular classes in the UK today are: Long Bow, Hunting Tackle, American Flat Bow, Barebow, Bow Hunter, Freestyle and Unlimited. Some archers favour a compound bow with wheels or cams that enable the bow to be held longer at full draw. Others find the current resurgence of interest in primitive archery to their taste. Some use a site for aiming. Others use only their instinct to judge the elevation of the bow.
In addition to a bow and arrows, archers also carry a quiver to hold arrows. These can be fletches-forward or fletches rear-ward (reccommended) belt quivers, or various forms of back/shoulder quiver. The fingers that contact the string are protected by a shooting 'tab' or three-fingered shooting glove. The forearm of the bow hand is covered by a 'bracer'. The other vital accessory is a pair of sturdy boots to provide a supportive foundation for each shot and get you over rough or wet ground.
Whatever your preference for equipment, shooting among the trees will add another dimension to your enjoyment of archery. It is a good idea to choose a bow that is not so encumbered with attachments that walking through vegetation becomes a challenge in itself. If you are new to archery, then before heading off to buy the kit of your choice it is advised that you seek the input of an experienced archer. Please also look at the page 'Getting Started'.
Here are some UK archery retailers to browse:
www.quicks.com
www.bowsports.com
and Scotland's own superior bow makers www.borderbows.com
Technical Information
Here are a number of our technical bulletins geared to traditional styles to help you along the way as you get to know your equipment.
Safety Rules
The Game Round
The Flemish Bow String
String Serving
Traditional Bow Tuning
Email Strathardle Archers
