Archery

Range Safety

originally published in June 2004, written by Sir Nickademus Fiend, Imp. Minister of Archery

There have been a few issues brought to my attention by Her Imperial Majesty regarding archery safety that I must address.

Target archery can be extremely dangerous, even deadly, if conducted improperly. Range safety is of the utmost importance when shooting target archery.

  1. When shooting, the Range Master or the Minister of Archery is to give the ok to shoot. This must be verbally said, hand signals are not allowed.
  2. Arrow shafts must be made of wood. Arrows must have target tips - no hunting tips allowed.
  3. When a HOLD is called, all archers are to lower their bows, unnock their arrow from the string, the arrow is to be removed from the bow entirely, NO EXCEPTIONS.
  4. When retrieving arrows, all bows must remain behind the firing line. There are no exceptions to this rule. If you don’t wish to lay the bow down on the ground, allow someone else to hold it for you, but nonetheless bows are to remain behind the firing line.
  5. Arrows should be carried in a quiver. Loose clothing should be secured in some way and long hair should be securely tied back out of the way, it can be very painful and very distracting should anything get caught up in the bowstring.
  6. Spectators are to remain 5 yards behind the shooting line. There is to be no shooting until all persons in front of the firing line have cleared, for obvious safety reasons. The Range Master or Minister of Archery is to be sure that all have returned when retrieving arrows.
  7. All bows are to remain unnocked until Range Master or Minister of Archery has given the ok to shoot. Only then may the arrows be placed on the bowstring.
  8. Shooting in an unsafe manner is grounds for removal from the archery lists for up to 12 months (see the Adrian Empire Archery Manual). This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
    • Shooting a target arrow at someone
    • Aiming a bow with a target arrow at someone
    • Shooting an arrow into the air to see "how high" it will shoot, etc.
  9. A Range Master or Minister of Archery is to be present at all times when target archery is taking place.
  10. Each person should supply their own equipment and is responsible for the upkeep and frequent condition checks for safety (cracked arrow shafts, cracked bow limb, fraying or damaged string, etc.)

    11. If we keep the sport safe it will remain fun for all!