This guide contains Archery Range Safety information. Many of the topics covered can be found through: Archery360.com. 1. Range Master and Range Setup

This guide contains Archery Range Safety information. Many of the topics covered can be found through: Archery360.com 1. Range Master and Range Setup 2. Communicating and Shooting 3. Safety Rules 4. Equipment Basics 5. Arrow handling 6. Bow Handling and Bow Care 7. Range Etiquette Thanks for reading, Ned Miller www.crowshead.com crowshead@gmail.com CROWS HEAD ARCHERY 2 CROWSHEAD.COM

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Safety is a priority and is very important when at the archery range. Before we can talk about safety we need to talk about a few areas: The target line is often present at archery ranges, and is a line about 3-4 feet in front of the targets, which acts as a speed bump for archers approaching the targets to pull their arrows. Range Master Range Setup and Lines Communicating and Shooting Safety Rules Equipment Basics Proper bow and arrow handling Example Range Setup 5 Feet Range Etiquette Questions? Test and Range Walk through 30 feet Target Line Range Master The Range Master with respect to safety, is the person that is in charge of when archers shoot and when archers stop shooting. This is the person that will communicate when archers should approach the line to shoot and when they should stop shooting and retrieve arrows. Range Setup and Lines The archery range is setup to be safe and has very defined areas: The waiting line is exactly what it sounds like: a line that keeps archers in a designated waiting area until it s their turn to begin shooting. The shooting line mark where archers stand when actually shooting their bows. Archers stand with one foot on either side of this line. 15 feet 15 feet Shooting Line Waiting Line CROWS HEAD ARCHERY 4 CROWSHEAD.COM

Remove all jewelry, watches and or bracelets Always walk on the range Always aim your bow and arrow toward the ground when loading your arrow Never point your bow in the direction of other people Make sure the areas around and behind your target are clear of other people Always wear your arm guard and protective equipment Check all arrows for cracks or damage before shooting Check your string for damage before before shooting Never Dry fire your bow Dry Fire means shooting your bow without an arrow Always use a bow stringer when stringing your bow Always follow the rules posted at the range Always listen to the commands of the Range Master Never cross the shooting line until directed by the Range Master If you must go behind a target make sure the Range Master is notified shooting and wax the string when dry Photo courtesy of Archery360.com CROWS HEAD ARCHERY 6 CROWSHEAD.COM

Knowing your equipment can keep you safe on the range and make learning easier. Bow: A recurve bow is listed below, but the same parts apply to longbows as well Arrow: Basic parts of the arrow are listed below CROWS HEAD ARCHERY 7 CROWSHEAD.COM

Arm Guard: protective material worn around the forearm of the arm that holds the bow and are designed to protect your forearm from the bow string. Tab: protective material worn to protect fingers from the pressure of the string over time. Glove: protective glove usually worn on 3 fingers, used to protect your finger from the pressure of the string over time. Back Quiver: Container worn on the back used to hold and protect arrows CROWS HEAD ARCHERY 8 CROWSHEAD.COM

Belt/Range Quiver: Container worn on the belt used to hold and protect arrows Bow Quiver: Container that is attached to the bow used to hold and protect arrows Ground Quiver: Container that rests on the ground used to hold and protect arrows CROWS HEAD ARCHERY 9 CROWSHEAD.COM

Always walk while carrying arrows Walk with the arrow heads pointed down Never walk with the arrow heads pointed up Make sure the points of your arrows are away from your legs CROWS HEAD ARCHERY 10 CROW-

Archers are always expected to walk on the archery range. When retrieving arrows, archers approach the target slowly and go to either the right or left side of the target to pull. Archers always look behind them carefully before pulling each arrow. CROWS HEAD ARCHERY 11 CROW-

Always use a bow stringer Walk with the arrow heads pointed down Never pull a bow beyond its stated draw Make sure the points of your arrows are away length from your legs and not pointed towards other Example: 40#@28 indicates that the bow archers pulls forty pounds at twenty-eight inches, Never shoot a damaged arrow or arrow with measured from the back of the bow loose feathers Never shoot a bow without an arrow this is Check your arrows before you shoot for cracks called dry firing or damage Draw and release should be done in one Check your arrows for loose feathers smooth motion, holding the bow at full draw for no more than one or two seconds Never store your bow in a hot place room temperature is appropriate Never string the bow backwards Do not let the bow stay wet for a long period of time Always store the bow either laying flat or hang by the bowstring Never let the bow strung for more than 8 hours at a time ( check with bow builder) Wax the bowstring if needed when string is dry Do not press or push the tips of the bow into the ground CROWS HEAD ARCHERY 12 CROW-

Don t point your arrows toward other archers when nocking an arrow Never touch or use another archers bow or arrows without asking permission Never pull another archers arrow out of a target without asking permission Don t talk loudly while others are shooting Don t offer advice on shooting technique unless the other archers asks for help Don t shoot more than 6 arrows at a time unless others are shooting more as well Don t crowd other archers if there is room to spread out. Don t take video or photos of other archers unless you ask permission CROWS HEAD ARCHERY 13 CROW-

Archers use a whistle and flag system to communicate with the range master. Whistle System Two whistle blasts: archers may proceed from the waiting line to the shooting line. One whistle blast: archers may place an arrow on the bowstring and begin shooting. Three whistle blasts: archers may walk forward to the targets and pull their arrows. Four or more whistle blasts: stop shooting immediately. Always walk on the range Always aim your bow and arrow toward the ground when loading your arrow Never point your bow in the direction of other people Make sure the areas around and behind your target are clear of other people Always wear your arm guard and protective equipment 5 Feet Check all arrows for cracks or damage before shooting Target Line Check your string for damage before shooting and wax the string when dry Remove all jewelry, watches and or bracelets before shooting Never Dry fire your bow Dry Fire means shooting your bow without an arrow 30 feet Always use a bow stringer when stringing your bow Always follow the rules posted at the range Always listen to the commands of the Range Master Never cross the shooting line until directed by the Range Master If you must go behind a target make sure the Range Master is notified Don t point your arrows toward other archers when nocking an arrow 15 Shooting Line Never touch or use another archers bow or arrows without asking permission feet Never pull another archers arrow out of a target without asking permission Don t talk loudly while others are shooting Don t offer advice on shooting technique unless the other archers asks for help Waiting Line Don t shoot more than 6 arrows at a time unless others are shooting more as well Don t crowd other archers if there is room to spread out. 15 feet Don t take video or photos of other archers unless you ask permission

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