Hope Im not going to unleash too many fireworks with this question.....(lighthearted)

[Witchie Poo Cat]

Hi Guys

In the film When Harry Met Sally, Harry says men and women can never be friends. My question is this, is it possible for Target Archers and Field Archers to ever be friends?

The reason I ask the question is that hubby and I first "discovered" archery about 2 months ago now. In that time we have visited our targey archery club for lessons and several times on club nights just to chat to members etc. We have also visited field archery clubs and did some archery experience days (two) in Kent (as you can tell we just cannot get enough archery at the moment! )

Anyway, during my visits I noticed a very definite theme emerging. When speaking with target archers there is a kind of, how can I put it, very very slight disapproving tone when discussing field archery activities we have done. When speaking with field archers there is the very same slight disapproving tone when discussing target archery activities. Both groups of archers also make little comments about the other when discussing as well.

We loved our field archery activity days (even though I hardly hit a thing all day that didnt matter) as they are just so much fun and no one takes it too seriously (even though I was in the winning team, how did that happen, and seriously felt some gloating come on as I collected my medal haha). Once I finish my course and practise for a good 12 months or more at the target archery I will probaby go back for the activity thing plus we are thinking of also joining a field archery club as well for the variety and to learn new skills.

I get the impression that there are very few archers who do both target and field archery and was just wondering what you guys views on this were and if you could give me any ideas as to where the, i dont know what you would call it, rivarly (?) stems from.

Of course, Im not wanting to start World War 3 here (probably too late though), just looking for some lighthearted opinions and observations.

Ok, Im off to take cover while the fireworks start

Witchie Poo Cat

[clickerati]

As far as I'm concerned, if you're holding a bow, I like you - even you dark siders!

Don't care where you shoot or how you shoot. Just that you shoot!!

[Witchie Poo Cat]

Originally Posted by clickerati

As far as I'm concerned, if you're holding a bow, I like you - even you dark siders!

Don't care where you shoot or how you shoot. Just that you shoot!!

My thoughts exactly Clickerati. Of course, my original post didnt mean to infer that ALL archers feel this way, just that I have noticed a pattern emerging amongst the two communities so just thought I'd ask

[JohnK]

There is quite a bit of ribbing - most of it good natured - that goes on between archers in both disciplines. I experienced this when I went to the three-day Border shoot in early July. I'd just made a joke about football being unimportant to a French field archer who was glued to a telly showing the WC final. His eyes narrowed, he searched for five seconds for a suitable insult before spitting "Target archer!" at me.

Although there are a few snobs on both sides of the fence, most of the rivalry is entirely harmless. In my experience, anyway.

[phillc]

Hi our club in Exmouth has just set up a feild course close by which is intended to give more variety to life some arn't interested but if you enjoy it as clicki says (if we could find a field big enough for clout safely) that would be more fun for all(i still have an arrow stuck in a fir tree at the end of our field got a bit exited first time i tried it with a club bow 20 lb my gm at 34 lb went a lot further oops)

[Radar_UK]

Originally Posted by clickerati

As far as I'm concerned, if you're holding a bow, I like you - even you dark siders!

Don't care where you shoot or how you shoot. Just that you shoot!!

My thoughts exactly.....

[Rik]

I know what you mean WPC...
I think it's mostly an 'I don't do that, therefore there must be something strange about people who like it' kind of thing. I guess a lot of members of the general public have that attitude about archers as a whole...

I find, as with most of these things, that understanding what they do and their motivations (field archers, that is ) helps. I get along fairly well with the field guys and I know that if I ever do try it, I'll have a lot to learn from them.

Incidentally, people who know a bit more about archery understand that field archery is probably the most pure application of archery skill. What could be more of a test of skill than to shoot in varying terrain at targets set at unmarked distances (yes I know some are marked...)? Vittorio Frangilli generally describes field as the 'university' of archery, while target is 'high school'...

[Thunk]

It's a dumb distinction. We're all archers.

[clickerati]

We have a lot of field archers at my club. We all shoot practise days, then they go off on the weekends and do the kind of archery they like best. They're more than happy for any of us to join in (as long as we shoot barebow!), which is why there are no qualms about them shooting target during the week. Many of them shoot more than one discipline.

[Cimbian]

I suspect that it is the Olympic dreams that induce some of this.

I have been shooting for just over a year (recurve, target) but, honestly, field and clout both look like thoroughly good fun. That said I am still a novice and enjoy seeing my PBs rise (ever so slowly) in target and would never be able to find the time to branch out.

The Dark-Side, however, has yet to appeal to me