Guezille
Programs
Field Archery at the PRA
Here is this information in a one-sheet printable handout
A field round is a challenging course, generally placed in a woods, in varying terrain, at different distances from target to target. It is a proven fact that a proficient field archer is also a proficient 3-D and target archer. -NFAA
There are a handful of archery competitions that are called "field archery". At the PRA, we have four of them:
Field Rounds
The field round is the most common form of field archery. This is the bread and butter of the PRA range. Target faces are set up on 28 separate targets, each with their own shooting lane. Sometimes, faces are only set up on 14 targets (called a unit), and you walk two "laps" through the unit to make the total 28 targets.
Shooting Rules: Each archer shoots four arrows at each of the 14 target layouts in the unit.
Scoring: There is a maximum score of 5 points for each arrow, so 20 points for each target. The center black rings are 5 points, the white rings are 4 points, and the outer black rings are 3 points.
Field Round Target Styles:
Hunter Rounds
A Hunter Round is shot slightly differently than a field round. There is a different target face (all black with a white dot in the center). Scoring is the same as the field round, with the center rings being 5 points, and the outer rings being worth 4 and 3 points each.
Shooting Rules: Each archer shoots four arrows at each of the 14 target layouts in the unit.
Hunter Round Target Styles:
Animal Rounds
The animal round is much like the 3-D round but the targets are 2-D, that is, an animal printed on a sheet of paper that is usually pasted to cardboard. Once again, distances are marked to give everyone an equal chance.
Shooting Rules: Scoring is a bit different on this round. You take three of your arrows and mark them 1, 2, and 3. When you get to the shooting stake you shoot arrow number 1. If you hit the scoring area you need not shoot another arrow. If you miss the first shot you move up to the next shooting stake and shoot number 2. If you hit the scoring zone there's no need to shoot number 3. If you missed number one and two, move up and shoot number three.
Scoring: The highest-scoring arrow will count. For each of the three possible scores for each arrow, you get the highest for hitting the "X-Ring", the middle for shooting the "Vital Area", and the lowest score for hitting the "Wound Area". Your #1 arrow will count 21, 20, or 18 points, #2 will count 17, 16, or 14 points, and #3 will count 13, 12, or 10 points.
Animal Round Target Styles:
3-D Rounds
3-D archery is an American invention to simulate hunting. While not technically considered "field archery" by purists, it shares most of the important elements.
The targets are molded rubber animals. The animals are marked with lines that aren't visible from the shooting position, but can be seen up close. These lines and rings correspond to the vital sections of the animal.
Often, the distance to the target is not marked, leaving it up to you to guess the distance.
Usually, you shoot a single arrow at each target, which scores according to which ring on the target it lands in.
Additional guidelines for shooting Field and Hunter rounds:
Archers shoot their arrows at the shooting lines indicated by the colored markers placed in the ground. (See above info for details) The distances are written on the marker in yards. At each target the archers may shoot their four arrows from a single location, or from multiple locations.
A Walk Up target has markers located at progressive distances from the target. A walk up target is shot from the most distant marker first. After all the archers in a group have shot their first arrow, the group walks up to the next marker and shoots. Most walk up targets have four markers shot with one arrow per marker. Some targets have two markers and are shot two arrows at each marker.
A Fan target is laid out with four markers at equal distance from the target and spread horizontally across the shooting lane. Archers shoot one arrow at each of the four positions.
A Birdie target is set up a close range. Distances can vary from 35 feet to 20 feet. Each archer has four small target arranged vertically. One arrow is shot at each target. On walk up birdie targets, it is customary to shoot the bottom target first and work your way up the vertical stack. Remember, at close range, your sight settings will drop as you move close to the target.
At targets under 30 yards, the target butts are set up with four targets arrange in a square pattern. Each archer shoots at their own target. Archers declare their target preference on the first target and shoot the same target position for the remainder of the first 14 targets. At the second group of fourteen targets, the target positions are reversed. For example, if an archer was shooting top-left in the first 14 targets, they will shoot bottom-right on the second. If archers shoot in groups of two, it is customary for archers shooting on the bottom targets to shoot first.
In Hunter rounds, if four targets are posted on a fan lane, archers will select if they will shoot top or bottom. Two arrows are then shot from the two left markers into the left target, and two arrows are shot from the right two markers into the right target.
Field and Hunter rounds are shot every Sunday at the PRA range. Once you have your own equipment, we encourage you to try out this fun and challenging game. May PRA instructors also shoot the Sunday tournaments. Any of them will be happy to help you get started. Please remember, however, that they are shooting for score and limit your questions to the rules of the game. There's plenty of time for form and equipment questions on Saturday. Have Fun!
