Archery's Rare Species

Archery is a sport, practice, or skill that involves using a bow to shoot arrows. It has been used for hunting and combat throughout history, but in modern times, it is primarily a competitive sport and recreational activity.

There are four main types of bows used in archery: compound, recurve, longbow, and self bow. These bows have distinct designs and benefits, catering to different needs and preferences. Archery can be enjoyed individually or in groups and can take various forms, including target shooting, field archery, extreme archery, mounted archery, and archery golf.

One unique variation is bowfishing, which combines fishing with bowhunting. Bowfishers use specialized archery equipment to impale and retrieve fish, often in a competitive and recreational context.

Archery has a rich history, dating back thousands of years, and has played a significant role in human development and conflict. Today, it continues to be a popular sport and hobby, with enthusiasts constantly innovating and refining their equipment and techniques.

Bowfishing

Where to Bowfish

What to Bowfish

In most states, it is illegal to bowfish for sought-after game fish like bass, trout, and panfish. Instead, anglers usually target "trash fish" like carp, gar, paddlefish, and drum. In saltwater, bowfishers can target flounder, sheepshead, and even smaller sharks.

Equipment

The arrows used in bowfishing are heavier and stronger than standard archery arrows and are most commonly made from fiberglass, but solid aluminium, carbon fibre, and carbon fibre reinforced fiberglass are also used. They do not have fletching, as this can cause the arrow to flare underwater.

The line is often made from braided nylon, Dacron, or Spectra, and commonly used line weights range from 80 to 400-pound test.

There are three types of reels: hand-wrap, spincast, and retriever. Hand-wrap reels are the simplest and cheapest, but are the least effective at fighting arrowed fish. Spincast reels are inexpensive and closed-faced, which mostly eliminates the chances of a line backlash. Retriever reels have a "bottle" which holds the line in place, and are more commonly used for larger game.

Indoor archery leagues

For example, the Oregon Sportsman's Club hosts an annual 12-week Winter Archery League, where shooters form four-person teams that meet on Thursday evenings. Each team member shoots 60 arrows from the 20-yard line for a total of 300 points. The club also offers a youth archery league and encourages new archers to join.

Another example is the Rapids Archery Club in Minnesota, which offers a variety of indoor archery leagues for all skill levels, including summer, fall, and winter leagues for members only. Their winter leagues run from November through March, with different leagues taking place on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings.

Archery Afield, a well-established archery store in Tigard, offers a range of classes, events, and activities for all ages, including indoor archery leagues. They have a 24-hour indoor archery range open 7 days a week and host events such as Archery Date Nights, Family Archery Nights, and various archery tournaments and leagues.

Additionally, the National Field Archery Association USA (NFAA) hosts the National Indoor League, a 12-week league open to members worldwide. Archers can compete at an international level from their home range or any 20-yard indoor range. The league consists of two 6-week sessions, with scores and scorecards uploaded by the archer via an online form.

Mounted archery

The Mounted Archery Association of the Americas (MA3) is a volunteer organisation dedicated to promoting the sport and martial art of mounted archery in the United States. They have developed a national ranking system and offer a community for horse archers, with affiliated chapters across the country. MA3 provides access to mentors, grading, training, and competitions. Competitions may involve straight, circular, or serpentine courses, with both stationary and moving targets. Riders are assessed on their horsemanship and accuracy with the bow and arrow.

There are two main types of mounted archery: sports track and field archery. Sports track archery takes place on a straight course with barriers, with a focus on speed and accuracy. Field archery, on the other hand, is typically held in an open field without barriers, requiring the rider to guide the horse using bodyweight and leg pressure. This type of mounted archery emphasises good horsemanship and accuracy while shooting.

To get started in mounted archery, it is recommended to first develop basic archery skills on the ground before progressing to shooting from horseback. Mounted archery requires a unique shooting form and technique due to its martial art origins. Lessons and workshops are available for beginners through advanced riders, with some organisations offering group workshops and private lessons. Mounted archery can be practised with a variety of equine partners, including horses, donkeys, and mules.

Archery golf

In the version played on a golf course, players set up targets at each hole and shoot from the tee, counting the number of arrows it takes to reach the target. This version is typically played outdoors due to the space required. The targets may have specific point designations, such as water hazards and sand traps, or they may have rings, with the outermost ring worth five strokes and the centre being a hole-in-one. The challenge of the game is further increased by the longer distances required for teeing off compared to typical target shooting.

Another version of archery golf involves setting up target "pucks" at different distances with surrounding hazards such as rocks and trees. Players then shoot at these targets, counting the number of shots it takes to hit or knock over each puck. The person with the fewest total shots for all the targets wins. This version can be adapted based on the space and time available, with the number of "holes" increased or decreased as needed.

Bowhunting

The type of bow used in bowhunting can vary depending on the hunter's preference and local regulations. The four main types of bows used in archery are compound bows, recurve bows, longbows, and self bows. Compound bows are highly technical and feature cams, pulley systems, sights, and stabilizers. They are designed to be more efficient, powerful, accurate, and have a longer range than traditional bows. Recurve bows are the most technically designed traditional bows, with curved limbs that store more energy, resulting in increased speed and power. Longbows, on the other hand, are simple and consist of a long, continuous riser/limb configuration strung at both ends with a bowstring. Self bows are handmade, typically from a single piece of hardwood, and lack any modern accessories.

In addition to the type of bow, bowhunters also need to consider the type of arrows and points they will use. Arrow shafts can be made of wood, aluminum, fiberglass, or synthetic combinations, with fletching made of natural feathers or plastic. For hunting, broadhead tips are commonly used, but other options include field tips, judo tips, or blunt rubber tips.

When participating in bowhunting, it is important to follow local regulations and obtain the necessary licenses. In some cases, a hunting license can be purchased over the counter, while in other cases, one might need to apply for a tag. It is also important to consider the ethical implications of bowhunting, especially when it comes to the potential for wanton waste and the ecological impact on native species.

Bowfishing is a specific type of bowhunting that has become a popular outdoor sport. It involves using specialized archery equipment to impale and retrieve fish. Bowfishers typically use a bow or crossbow to shoot barbed arrows tethered to a line at fish through the water surface. Unlike other forms of fishing, bowfishing relies purely on the fisherman's visual perception and marksmanship rather than baiting or exploiting fish behaviour. Bowfishing can be done from shore, boat, or by wading in the water, and it often targets rough fish, including invasive species that compete with native species.

Frequently asked questions