Backstop netting - just how effective is it?

[RichardH]

Originally Posted by grimsby archer

Rule #1: Backstop netting doesnt stop arrows. As long as we all understand that, the world is a safer place. Backstop netting (or the mis-use of) frightens me because it lulls people into a false sense of security. There is lots of talk of one layer, two layers etc. GNAS Insurers require "impenetrable walls" or minimum distances between an archery range and other users and for anything else, such as a brick wall (pink flloyd), or high bank (lloyds tsb for instance) you must consult the insurers. Longbows they maybe, but even a light longbow can put an arrow over the top of 12' backstop netting. Backstop netting just means you don't have to walk so far to collect the arrows.

I quite agree. We would be locating the have a go so that behind the targets is a hedge, behind which is a field. The field will be fenced off to prevent access - so the backstop netting will be there to prevent us losing a heap of arrows into the hedge/field, not to allow people to pass behind the shooting area.

[X10-arrow]

OMG how weird this is I bought some back stop netting and I erected it behind the boss so that i could tune my bow ..
Only last night i was tuning my x-10's and not knowing my sight mark for x10's at a short range 2 went over the top of the boss and pierced the netting..however the X10's are like bloody kniting needles so they went through and traveled into a tree stump wrecking or snaped 1 in half and the tungsten point was grazed as it hit a brick arrrggggg not impressed so like the guy said above its only recommended for low poundage bows ..
Hope this helps oh if it wasnt for the netting which slowed my X10's down they would have hit the neighbours wheelie bin or worse

[Ceri Jones]

Originally Posted by geoffretired

The netting works well as Kae says. We had problems with thin arrows from 50lb compounds. It needs to hang without dragging on the ground.

If theres a wall behind as well it needs to be away from it, our netting hangs just a bit to close so when i had miss set my sight one day to high the arrows didnt go thru the netting but had enough force to push the netting into the wall killing the arrow.
But low poundage will just stop and drop.

[N.Vodden]

i dont trust backstop net at all, at pentref there is a solid layer of backstop netting behind the bosses, and behind that is a complete wall ( from one side of the building to the other, floor to ceiling ) of old worn foam bosses stacked like bricks. Not suitable for use but make an ideal backup backstop.

the reason i dont trust is because on almost every occasion i have missed or slotted an arrow between the bosses, it has punched through the net and stuck a few inches into the boss. I shoot 38lb with redlines, bullet points.

[Chumpzilla]

Originally Posted by RichardH

The club is longbow only, and any have a go would have a max bow draw weight of 32#.

You may need to check if this is ok with GNAS. We have a Code of Conduct at our club which states Have A Go's must be at a distance of no more than 10 yards and only fibre glass bows can be used. I'm fairly certain GNAS sent it to us as we hold a lot of H A Go's throughout the year.

[Angry Gaz]

Originally Posted by Chumpzilla

You may need to check if this is ok with GNAS. We have a Code of Conduct at our club which states Have A Go's must be at a distance of no more than 10 yards and only fibre glass bows can be used. I'm fairly certain GNAS sent it to us as we hold a lot of H A Go's throughout the year.

GNAS strikes again. Attached is the 'Code of Practise for a Have a Go's' but you'll notice that it's left open to interpretation about what bow's can & can't be used. It reads, and i quote

"5. Only lightweight poundage beginner bows and arrows must be used. Members must not use normal target or field bows."

It's a judgement call on that one, but is very clear state about target distances and use of backstop netting:

"6. Make sure there is a safe over-shoot – a minimum of 50 yards.

7. Targets must be at no more than 10 yards from the shooting line and should rest on the ground at approximately the same angle as recommended in the GNAS Rules of Shooting.

8. Backstop netting should be used at all times unless there is a very safe overshoot as mentioned in item 6."

Hope this helps...

[ThePinkOne]

But in fairness to GNAS they have to satisfy the insurer...... "Oh yeah, and the insurance is also to cover members of the public having a go..." Gulp. In terms of controlling the risk of an accident, one control measure is to have competent people under competent supervision. If you don't have that you have to do something else to control the risk. Such is life if you want insurance......

BTW, that's not comment on rights and wrongs of this- just accepting that in the increasingly litigious world in which we live such is often necessary.

P.

[RichardH]

You may need to check if this is ok with GNAS

We're NFAS - I've made enquires about the insurance aspect with them already.

That GNAS document is useful reading, though.

[grimsby archer]

Originally Posted by Angry Gaz

GNAS strikes again. Attached is the 'Code of Practise for a Have a Go's' but you'll notice that it's left open to interpretation about what bow's can & can't be used. It reads, and i quote

"5. Only lightweight poundage beginner bows and arrows must be used. Members must not use normal target or field bows."

It's a judgement call on that one, but is very clear state about target distances and use of backstop netting:

"6. Make sure there is a safe over-shoot – a minimum of 50 yards.

7. Targets must be at no more than 10 yards from the shooting line and should rest on the ground at approximately the same angle as recommended in the GNAS Rules of Shooting.

8. Backstop netting should be used at all times unless there is a very safe overshoot as mentioned in item 6."

Hope this helps...

Be fair to the old GNAS.
This is a code of practise - is that different from a hard and fast set of rules?
All these items make good sense for a have a go, and none are unreasonable (or am I getting soft in my old age?)
This is a have a go, not a fita star!.
The over shoot is for safety. A twelve year old with a 20lb bow can make an arrow go 50 yards.
The call for beginners lightweight bows is to preserve the public from heavyweight bows, not stop experienced archers holding 50lbs on their fingers.
If you were to hold 50lbs on your fingers, the overshoot would have to be at least 60 yards (rules of shooting), so the concession is shorter range for "controlled" light bows.
The backstop netting is to reduce the distance walked to collect the misses.
The 10 yard range is so everyone hits the target, and the low down bosses is to stop 3 foot high kids shooting over the top.
Is that unreasonable?