Field or target?

[Raedwald]

We have a number of "parent+1 or 2 kids" that have joined Broadland. They tend to be shooting "standard" Ragim trainer bows with Jazz arrows in exactly the kind of weight range you refer to.

And they love it.

Those who stay will go in all directions on bow types once they know what they want, but those who do always seem happy with their choices.

They'll talk to others about what they shoot, they'll get the look and feel of every type and style. Then go off and do their own thing and enjoy it.

That's how it's been si far, and long may it continue.

[phil_r_58]

Originally Posted by John (OSF)

Thanks for that phil,I must admit that field sounds as if it has more going for it than target as far as keeping the kids interested

I taught a mates son EFAA marked distance style, he got to National champion, and silver at European level. I exposed him to target shooting, so he could make up his own mind though. He likened target to bell ringing. You only have a limited number of distances, 100, 90, 80, 70 and so on. And you can call a round what you like but it's like ringing peals, you just do the limited number of bells in a pattern. 6 dozen, 4 dozen, 2 dozen.

Clever kid, Martin, was into compounds very quickly, currently just completing his PhD with an engineering company. Works all over the world on major engineering projects. University, beer and girls got in the way of archery eventually though.

With my own daughter, if she's feeling "shooty", she will shoot 3 arrows at each target, if she's not she only shoots one per face, and we whizz round the course. We carry a drink and a snack, and if it's nice will sit on a log in the sun and watch the wildlife in the trees. We are in Sherwood forest, only a couple of miles from the major oak, so pretty scenic.

[N.Vodden]

Much as i love and highly advocate field archery i think Target is better for beginners as they can practice form and build up thier skill and accuracy on a nice flat surface so even footing, and any arrows over or undershot are much more easily retrieved in a flat field than undergrowth halfway up a mountain

It could be very discouraging to a beginner to smash or lose half of thier arrows so early on!

[phil_r_58]

Originally Posted by N.Vodden

Much as i love and highly advocate field archery i think Target is better for beginners as they can practice form and build up thier skill and accuracy on a nice flat surface so even footing, and any arrows over or undershot are much more easily retrieved in a flat field than undergrowth halfway up a mountain

It could be very discouraging to a beginner to smash or lose half of thier arrows so early on!

Not all courses are mountaineering ones. And our beginners courses are taught on a flat section, or indoors. We also introduce newbies to the course from the easy pegs until their skills are up to the difficult ones.

Our targets are placed with care given to the background, very few arrows are lost, those that are, turn up via the metal detector or grass rake, or in the arrow bin a week or so later most times. Very few arrows are smashed. No more than those that get broken by hitting wooden target stands. During the week, our woods are accessed by ramblers and other visitors. The forestry agency are very critical about arrows lying about, or ricochets into the paths etc.

So no, I would not advocate telling prospective archers to shoot GNAS to learn, then switch to field. With the quoted 1 in 3,000 retention rate, that would hardly encourage a thriving membership. With the new NFAS membership system it will be interesting to see how many newbies stay on in the future.

[John (OSF)]

Originally Posted by N.Vodden

Much as i love and highly advocate field archery i think Target is better for beginners as they can practice form and build up thier skill and accuracy on a nice flat surface so even footing, and any arrows over or undershot are much more easily retrieved in a flat field than undergrowth halfway up a mountain

It could be very discouraging to a beginner to smash or lose half of thier arrows so early on!

One of the primary reasons that I considered the field course up here was that it has a 'flat' practice area with permananebt targets set up at 3 distances, so in effect has a mini 'target' area for from development

[bkupris]

John

Interesting thread. The field course practice area is as such:

10mtr target-flat
10/20mtr target-flatish
10/20/30/40mtr target-a bit of a downhill slope but not drastic.

Available 24/7 365 days per year. Club fees £40 per year + GNAS/SAA fees. No shooting fees.

In fairness suggest both clubs and let them check it out for themselves. If they are really keen they will probably join both clubs, GNAS fees only have to be paid once

Cheers

Brian

[John (OSF)]

That's exactly what we've been doing we're carefull to be very even-handed, I just decided to find out what aiuk's opinion was the subject and have ended up convincing myself (to my suprise!) that field offers more value for money for our novices (esp. for parents +1 or 2 kids) as they've spent all that money on the kit and will now have a varied environment to use it (healthy fresh air, picnics etc.)

I don't care how many clubs they join so long as they keep shooting

[Raedwald]

Originally Posted by John (OSF)

I don't care how many clubs they join so long as they keep shooting

Amen to that!!