The
sport is open to the whole family to enjoy regardless of age or gender.
At most competitions(commonly called shoots) some combination of the
family group will be seen.
Field
archery involves spending a day on the move, round a course of a size
limited only by the need to provide between 20 and 40 targets positionedsafely within the area.
The
courses are set by experience course layers who use the lay of the land
to produce a challenging course for the archers. Which may include.
Targets set on uphill or downhill slopes of varying degrees of severity,
into and out of the light, across water and gullies, around branches
and over natural hazards. With some shots set in the open and others
set in dense woodland. The weather is another variable as shoots take
place throughout the year.
The
distance at which the targets are placed can vary considerably, four
target sizes being used, and the type of terrain available to individual
clubs. The distance from which the shots will be taken is not marked
and has to be estimated by personal judgment of the archer alone.
Each
person can shoot one arrow from each of three pegs positioned at varying
distances from the target. Scores are awarded on the position of the
striking arrow within pre-marked scoring zones. Scoring can vary on
the day due to the type of course laid, but "Big Game Round"
is currently the most common round shot. It is scored as follows.
First arrow
within the inner scoring zone scores
20 Points
First arrow
within the outer scoring zone scores
16 Points
Second arrow
within the inner scoring zone scores
14 Points
Second arrow
within the outer scoring zone scores
10 Points
Third arrow
within the inner scoring zone scores
8 Points
Third arrow
within the outer scoring zone scores
4 Points
NB The positions
of these zones can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer
