Archery Guidelines

MINIMUM AGE FOR PARTICIPANTS

A minimum age of ten (10) is set for the archery at Ancient Arts Fellowship events and trainings. Any person under the age of sixteen (16) must be supervised by a parental or guardian while shooting.

ALCOHOL AND OTHER PERFORMANCE EFFECTING SUBSTANCES

No one shall handle a weapon while under the influence of alcohol or other performance effecting substances. Any participant found to be under the influence of alcohol or other performance effecting substances will be barred from further participation at the event.

RANGE MARSHALL

All activities at an approved range are under the control of a Range Marshall who is appointed from time to time by the Archery Marshall. The Range Marshall has overall responsibility for the safety of the training session, and all re-enactors must agree to be bound by his or her requests and/or directions where they relate to the operation of the range. Failure to comply with directions from the Range Marshall will result in a re-enactor being asked to cease training, and repeated non-compliance may result in the re-enactor being banned from the Range.

INSURANCE

All participants must have signed the Indemnity Declaration before participating in any archery on the Beorg-wic site.

RANGE COMMANDS

There are a number of standard commands and directions given by the Range Marshall, which all archers are expected to understand and comply with. These are;

• “ARCHERS TO THE LINE” Archers may assemble on the shooting line but not nock arrows.
• “FIRE WHEN READY” Archers may commence shooting into the range.
• “LAST ARROW” Archers who have already nocked or drawn their bow may release their arrow, but no new arrows may be nocked. When archers are finished they are to step back from the shooting line.
• “CLEAR” Archers are now permitted to cross the shooting line are collect their arrows.
• “HOLD!” All archers must immediately cease shooting and release the tension on their bow. This is generally a safety related command – e.g. a person on the range or approaching too close.

SAFETY RULES

There are a number of safety rules which all archers must comply with at all times. Failure to do so may result in the participants being asked to cease shooting, or in the case of repeat offences, may be banned from archery for the duration of the event:

1. The Range Marshall must be complied with at all times
2. All equipment and arrows must be of serviceable condition
3. New archers will be required to shoot under supervision until they can establish a reasonable level of competency
4. All arrows must be directed downrange at all times
5. No shooting outside the boundaries of the range
6. Unless under the specific control of the range captain, e.g. for ‘clout’ practice, no arrows are to be lofted7. All shooting is to take place from the firing line
7. Unless conducting combat archery training under the strict control of the Range Marshall not bow is to be pointed at another person, regardless of whether or not it is loaded.
8. Archers under the age of 16 will be required to have a suitable adult present whilst participating.
9. All archers are expected to behave in a reasonable manner towards one another, and offensive behaviour will not be tolerated

NOTE: If at any time a person attending the event believes that a person, animal life or property may be damaged from shooters on the range they must yell 'hold' immediately. The Range Marshall will then re-commence firing only after the situation has been verified or cleared.

Although it is not an actual rule, it is considered polite to assist other archers to retrieve their arrows while collecting your own.