Paget de Vasey shoot

[JohnK]

I think we lucked out with the weather today: there was the tiniest sprinkling of rain near the end, but all we really had to contend with were the vast expanses of mud the melting snow had created.

Didn't shoot too well today. There were some very tricky targets (a skunk at 25 yards?!?), but then it seemed everybody's scores suffered a bit. I only averaged about 12 points per target, so down 3 or so on normal. Still, was very proud of my last shot - I had to stand on wobbly pallette on a sea of mud, which demonstrated that my weight distribution on my feet was pretty much ideal.

Not too happy about the proximity of the targets too each other, mind you. There were some very dodgy areas and the signage wasn't too hot, which nearly led to some dangerous situations.

Still, end of the day I met some new people, had a good time and got out in the open air. Can't wait until the next one

[Joester]

Yes.

We were warned not to wander about, but you know its pushing-it a bit when you approach the red peg to see someone in the next group looking for their arrow 6ft away.
The course layers had not allowed for possible ricochets.

I think Paget would do better to reduce the number of shots (you don't have to have 36 !), and resist the temptation to alternate direction where several shots are in parallel. There were several targets where one felt that bows were being directly pointed at you - disconcerting.

I think a post on the NFAS board would be in order to see how many agree.

Nice weather though, and good bacon.
I too averaged a little over 12 points per target, but I got a 16 on the skunk !
Great to be back out on the circuit !

[FlightyRachel]

Glad you both had a good day!

It sounds a bit disconcerting re the targets though; doesn't help if people are in camo, either, does it!?

I sent my Totem form off today... both days!! Ooh, I'm one of the big girls now!

[JohnK]

Hello Joe. Good to know another AIUKer was there. Shame we didn't know beforehand

I think the most dangerous targets were the low number ones running along the bank. We had a couple of scary moments there, I can tell you.

Rachel - someone could sit down and explain to me every day for the rest of my life why they wear camo on a field course, and I wouldn't get it. Make absolutely no sense to me at all.

[FlightyRachel]

LOL When I shot at Avalon there were some camo guys hunting about for arrows behind the target and we almost shot them! I mean, I would have missed, as they were in line with the target, but it was still a bit scary!

[JohnK]

Tut tut, very bad of them. You have to leave at least one person in front of the target, I thought.

Still, no archers were harmed etc.

[Field Archer]

I shot Paget last year, I didn't find any safety probelm. I didn't like the idea of stopping at lunch time, walking off the course, queing up for an hour for food, then walking back to where we left off. Then we finished in the dark.

Glad to see you have managed a whole weekend pass for Totem Rachel, how about you John, the shoot is worth it.

[JohnK]

Totem?

The Paget shoot was held in "the big wood" rather than the small one. Apparently this meant they had to bunch the course up a bit - not sure how that logic works, but there you go.

Leaving the course for lunch was a bit odd, but quite welcome for me as I'd left my sarnies in the car

[Joester]

Originally Posted by FlightyRachel

LOL When I shot at Avalon there were some camo guys hunting about for arrows behind the target and we almost shot them! I mean, I would have missed, as they were in line with the target, but it was still a bit scary!

The Paget marshalls were mostly wearing dark green too !
Hi-vis vests and jackets should be the order of the day for marshalls, like at other shoots.
As for camo, well its 'military chic' isn't it, and you can pretend you're a bow-hunter. Each to their own however, the real point here is that even the invisible man should be able to walk a field-course with no danger of being shot (this includes observing protocol when searching for arrows).