For informal practice, any level ground where a range of from 40 to 60 yards, or even less, may be staked out is sufficient, provided stray shots will not endanger persons or property. It is not usual to have more than five persons shoot at a single target. Several friends of either or both sexes trying their skill together will find an hour or two frequently spent this way very enjoyable. To a large extent, it is a good plan to follow the rules of the National Archery Association even in informal contests*. It is sufficient here to state that it is customary to shoot six arrows at a time, called an end. In informal practice, the group of archers may shoot their ends together without waiting upon each other, but in formal matches each takes his turn for three shots and then repeats for another three shots in turn. Following the six shots, they all go to the target to recover their arrows and record the scores. This procedure continues until the round is complete.
* They may be obtained from the office of the secretary, Old South Building, 77 Franklin St., Boston, Mass.
"If an arrow cuts two colors it shall count as having hit the inner one. An arrow rebounding from, or passing through, the scoring face of the target shall count as one hit and five in value." The last statement means that no matter if the actual score made was in the white, 1, or in the gold, 9, the value credited to the arrow is the average one of 5.
Archery Rounds.—For purposes of competition, various rounds have been devised to test the skill of archers. A round may be defined as an officially given number of arrows shot from prescribed distances. The following rounds are commonly recognized in American archery circles:
The Double York and the Double American are the rounds by which championships are determined for men; the Double National and the Double Columbia are similarly those by which championships are determined for ladies. A double round means that twice as many arrows are shot for each distance as in the single round. While special rounds are designed for ladies to accommodate their physical strength, there is nothing to prevent their shooting in the men's rounds if they so desire.
Shooting the York Round at the Ranelagh Club Meeting
of the Royal Toxophilite Society, England
keystone view co.
at the Ranelagh Club Meeting
of the Royal Toxophilite Society, England
keystone view co.
The Double Scout Round is used by Boy Scouts in competition. The distances in this round, especially the 30 and 40 yards, are excellent for all boys and girls who have gained some proficiency with the bow. They are also desirable for adult beginners. Junior archers may even make up a set of special distances suited to their technique and include a distance as low as 20 yards.
Flight Shooting.—The only purpose in flight shooting is to shoot the arrow the greatest distance. Accuracy of aim, excepting the elevation of the arrow, is not important. Nevertheless, considerable interest may be aroused in competing for distance. In formal tournaments, special bows and flight-arrows are the rule, but good target bows and arrows may also be used if they do not have to compete against the specially made tackle.
The angle of elevation of the arrow is about 45 degrees for maximum distance of flight but the archer must rely on instinctive judgment that the elevation is correct.
Three arrows is the usual number shot by each competitor, one arrow being loosed in turn. It is permissible to shoot the same arrow three times.
Recent flight records with the long bow are truly remarkable. Homer Prouty, in regular style shooting, is credited with a flight of 478 yards made in 1933 at the National Tournament in St. Louis, and Curtis L. Hill made a flight of 518 yards "free style" at the same tournament; that is, he strapped the bow to his feet and, while lying on his back, drew the bow with both hands. By way of comparison, it is doubtful if the average target bow will carry an ordinary arrow over 200 yards. In any event, some idea of the comparative cast in a bow may be obtained by shooting for distance. This should be done only when it is perfectly safe to do so.
Clout Shooting.—This form of archery not only involves distance shooting but accuracy as well. It is an old form of competition which comes to us from England and, as with football, we have characteristically modified the sport to suit our ideas and tastes.
of the National Archery Association,
Los Angeles, Calif., 1935.
The regulation shooting distance for men is 180 yards, for women 120 yards. The target, laid out flat on the ground, is the same diameter in feet as the regular target is in inches, and the ring dimensions correspond similarly. That is, the target diameter is 48 feet, the rings are each 44⁄5 feet in width, and the center "gold" is 93⁄5 feet in diameter. Thirty-six arrows constitute the round, and scoring is exactly the same as in ordinary target shooting. The flight of the arrows sailing through the air in a high sweeping parabola, is beautiful to witness. There is no reason why the distance should not be shortened, if desired, especially for boys and girls. The clout shooting by Boy Scouts varies from 100 to 180 yards. Thirty arrows are usually shot by each contestant.
Indoor Archery.—Shooting with the bow and arrow is essentially an outdoor sport. Nevertheless, much enjoyment may be found indoors in winter leisure, if a shooting range of 40 feet, more or less, is available. This may be found in the basement of a school or other building or even in a large barn where the animals are out of harm's way. Where suitable precautions are taken, even a long hall not in the basement may be used. Weaker bows than those used outdoors will serve.
Since the distances are shorter, smaller targets should be set up. A 16-inch target will serve very well because at 40 feet the difficulty of making a hit would correspond to that at 40 yards with a 4-foot target. A bale of hay or straw can be used as a butt on which to fasten the target face. Protection for the stray arrow and for the wall it may hit should be provided by hanging an old carpet loosely over a long pole behind the butt but clear of the wall. It is well to hang it in two folds, each half free of the other and the bottom edges close to but not touching the floor. The yielding of this "backstop" on impact will prevent the arrows from going through in most instances.
Archery Clubs.—To get the most pleasure out of archery requires friendly rivalry. Shooting alone is not nearly so much fun as shooting with companions. One way to keep up a sustained enthusiasm is to form an archery club with an appropriate constitution and by-laws. Formal competition should be instituted at stated intervals and suitable prizes awarded to the winners. Bulletin 146, published by the National Archery Association under date of April 5, 1930, gives a list of seventeen national, sectional, State, and district archery associations and 144 archery clubs, covering 34 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. So, any group wishing to form an archery club may readily secure the necessary information about organization and conduct from any of the clubs nearby.