Archers of the West

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About Archery

Archery styles

Target Archery

This is the form practised by us, and almost all clubs within the G.N.A.S. The range is laid out on level ground, indoors or out, with targets set at a range of known distances. The object here is to achieve the highest possible score through utterly consistent shooting. We must aim not only to hit the middle of the target, but to hit the middle with every single arrow.

Shoots are organised as rounds, which are set numbers of arrows shot at a range of distances. For example, a York round is 6 dozen arrows at 100 yards, 4 dozen at 80 yards and 2 dozen at 60 yards.

Field Archery

Here shooting takes place on a course laid out over rough ground and in woodland. The distances of the targets may be known or unknown. Courses usually make use of the terrain to make each shot more challenging. Slopes, hollows, streams and ponds can all be used to make judging the distance more difficult. Archers progress around the course in small groups, with each group starting at a different target. Courses are arranged carefully to ensure that nobody is in danger from archers at other targets.

Our nearest field archery club is Muscovy Archers, based near Liskeard. Please contact us for details, or visit their website.

Clout Shooting

A traditional form of archery where the target is a large circle flat on the ground with the centre marked by a small flag. The distances shot are long, up to 180 yards, hence bows must usually be aimed quite high to hit the target.

Flight Shooting

The object here is simply to shoot an arrow as far as possible. Few clubs have fields big enough to do this, as the distances involved can be huge - half a mile or more for the fastest bows. There are classes for standard target bows, and for special flight bows, some even drawn with two hands and held with the feet!