Archery is a fun and challenging sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. However, in order to ensure safety while participating in this activity, it is important to follow a few simple safety rules. These rules are designed to protect you from potential injuries while enjoying the sport of archery.
To help keep you safe, we have devised a set of 5 essential rules to remember when participating in archery.
These rules are especially paramount for those who are new to the sport, as they may not be aware of the potential dangers involved.
The 5 Rules Of Archery
Never Aim At A Person
Why you should never aim your bow at a person is pretty simple: an arrow fired from a bow can cause serious injury or even death. So, even if you are just goofing around and don’t actually intend to shoot someone, it’s still not worth the risk.
Walk, Don’t Run
If you are at an archery range, never run but instead walk calmly and deliberately. This will help to avoid any accidents that might occur if you were to trip and fall while carrying your bow and arrow.
Therefore, do not run at an archery range!
Inspect Equipment
Archery is a hobby that involves lots of equipment. Namely, you will need a bow, arrows, a quiver, armbands, and targets.
Before you start your archery session, it is advised that you check that your equipment is in quality condition.
If equipment is broken, you should not use it. This is because you could end up hurting someone with dodgy equipment. A broken bow could injure the archer if they continue to use it.
Furthermore, their performance will be detrimentally affected if they are utilizing damaged equipment. Another reason why it is essential to check the status of your equipment is that some bows are adjustable.
This is particularly true of crossbows and compound bows. Before using these bows, you should check that they have been altered to your needs. If not, you will not receive the benefits of a personalized bow.
Always Be Aware
Next, you must pay attention when you are in an archery range. This is especially true if you are practicing in an archery range with limited space. Some of these ranges can pack people in like sardines, resulting in archers being very close to one another.
If you fail to pay attention, you may accidentally knock the person next to you. You should also pay attention to the whistles. This whistle system is used to keep archers safe.
Essentially, the number of whistles blown signifies a different message.
- One whistle means that you can begin shooting.
- Two whistles symbolize that the archers can progress to the shooting line.
- Meanwhile, three whistle blasts indicate that it is safe for archers to collect their arrows. Finally, four whistles are a message for archers to stop firing right away.
Rules such as the whistle system improve safety. Aside from this, you should pay attention to now only what you are doing, but also the actions of other archers.
Don’t Shoot Without An Arrow
Known as a “dry fire”, shooting without an arrow is not advised. Dry fire means that the bowstring is pulled even though it has not been loaded with an arrow. Though it may sound harmless, dry firing is hazardous.
When an arrow is fired, the bow absorbs the energy used to draw it. The limbs transfer this synergy to the arrow when it is launched, allowing it to be fired further and with more power.
However, if the arrow is not present, this energy cannot be transferred. This causes the energy to vibrate through the bow. In some cases, this can result in the bow breaking. This can launch fragments of the bow in different directions.
These fragments can injure people. Even if the bow is not completely destroyed, it can be broken in places.
This will mean that you need to spend money on having the bow replaced. While it may seem like firing without an arrow can be used as a training technique, this is not the case. You must never dry fire your bow!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Bows Be Repaired?
If a bow can be fixed depends on the damage it has taken. A broken limb can almost always be replaced or repaired, but if the damage is to the riser (the central part of the bow) then it may not be possible to fix it.
If you suspect that your bow is damaged, it is best to take it to an archer pro shop. They will tell you whether the damage can be repaired. Though you can try fixing minor damages yourself, it is best to get the help of a professional.
How Long Are Archery Ranges?
This will depend, as every range is different. Most recreational archery ranges are between 10 meters/ 11 yards and 50m/ 55 y. Meanwhile, professional archery ranges tend to be longer so that experienced archers are challenged.
Final Thoughts
Archery is a sport that has been around for centuries. Though it may seem like a simple activity, there are some rules that you must follow in order to be safe and have a good experience.
In this article, we have outlined the five most important rules of archery. These guidelines will help you stay safe and improve your performance. We advise that you always be aware of your surroundings, take care of your equipment, and practice these rules with every arrow you shoot.
