Drinking

[Barry C]

Whats the attitude towards drinking at events. I see many people on the beer at certain events. Personally I think its a bit dodge to be drinking and using something dangerous.

[Thunk]

To my mind it's a slightly strange idea to have a poll requiring only a 'yes' or 'no' response to something where the logical answer is somewhere in between...

Part of the tradition at our club is the Christmas Fun Shoot, where between shooting we have some seasonal fare, including a glass of mulled wine - well, a plastic cup if you're being pedantic! I don't suppose anybody would think that a problem (too bad if they do!)

On the other hand, providing facilities for people to get plastered at a shoot isn't on; not only because they have a bow which requires a degree of physical control and mental discipline both of which will be affected by alcohol, but also because they are going to have to get home afterwards, which,except for a very small minority will mean driving. I don't do tournaments so haven't actually seen this for myself, but infer this scenario from the original post.

Somewhere between the two there must be a tipping point between acceptable/not acceptable. I would guess that this must be nearer the mulled wine end of the scale than the other. Perhaps instead of prancing around discussing the merits of various shades of green, our beloved leaders in GNAS should consider introducing some rules regarding the use of alcohol at shoots if they haven't done so already. That way, clubs with bars would know where they stand; I would guess that in the absence of such rules there must be a temptation to maximise the income at a shoot by every means possible.

One final thought; whatever arrangements the organising club may make, the bringing of a personal supply of alcohol by competitors should be universally banned, if it isn't already.

I didn't vote, by the way.

[TJ Mason]

Definitely shouldn't drink (though I've seen it too). We can't get slack on the safety aspects of our sport.

At my club -- and before I joined, I hastened to add -- a couple used to bring a few bottles of their home-brewed booze to the club at Christmas. This was seriously strong stuff, but apparently everyone used to tipple at it while shooting indoors! Mad!

[Little Miss Purple]

After shooting at the Ascham ladies shoot where the sherry and wine was fairly free flowing, I would say that each person is responsible for knowing their limits and ability.

As a general rule I wouldn't up hold drinking and shooting though

[wingate_52]

I had a few glassesof wine on Christmas day, having a frost bite on New Years Day, as an experiment, i did not partake of any alcohol during the week. Shot a PB on the sunday shoot. On tuesday lunch, had 2 large glasses of 14.5% wine. Six points off a PB on tuesday evening's Bray. I did not feel the effects of alcohol but did not shoot my best. I have noticed club members shoot worse than usual after a night out. Your body is a temple, I have got a bottle of Bah Humbug Xmas beer 6% for tonight and shoot a FITA 18 on friday.

[Barry C]

People have said a little alchocol improves the shooting but too much leaves to a few stray shots.

[English Bowman]

I voted yes, because I see no problem with drinking in moderation at a tournament. By this I am talking about the traditional sherry at a Longbow shoot, or a lunchtime pint, not getting drunk. There is a big difference between having a drink and getting drunk. If you are in company having a drink and shooting then there are people there to stop you if you go too far. There are always those who won't drink due to driving etc and that's a good thing. Also despite drink being freely available at most longbow shoots, I have never witnessed anyone drunk with a bow. If it wasn't for this fact I would vote no.
(Just for the record there has only been 2 shoots where I have consumed any alcohol because I won't drink anything if I am driving. Even then it was a single glass of sherry in the morning and a pint at lunch time.)

[tel]

Originally Posted by Barry C

People have said a little alchocol improves the shooting but too much leaves to a few stray shots.

I've heard people say the same regarding driving....

[Barry C]

Maybe, but i meant a little would calm your nerves and increase confidence for archery. Perhaps a more dangerous mix in a car. Anyways i think drink and danger is a bad mix.

[Tobytoolbag]

Originally Posted by English Bowman

Just for the record there has only been 2 shoots where I have consumed any alcohol because I won't drink anything if I am driving. Even then it was a single glass of sherry in the morning and a pint at lunch time.

Sorry, EB, but it seems a bit odd that being in charge of what is essentially a loaded weapon under the influence of alcohol is perfectly acceptable, whereas driving while under the influence isn't...

Alcohol tends to dull the senses and impairs memory function - and forgetting safety protocols (hey, it's been known!) just 'cos you've had a couple of pints beforehand is, to me, just as dangerous as drinking and driving.

And before I get flamed, I know that we're all different and some can take more drink than others without any ill effects. But just imagine what would happen if some tragedy occurred, and although you may not have caused it, also imagine what would happen if it emerged during the course of investigations that you'd had a couple of pints beforehand. It would definitely give more 'ammunition' to a potential prosecution's case...

No, to me, it's best to stay as completely sober when driving, and when shooting (both bows and firearms) as you never know when 'just a couple of pints' might come back to haunt you bigtime!