Rules of the Range
- A call of “HOLD” or “STOP” is a command: if you hear it, stop what you are doing immediately, and return to a safe position. If drawing or about to shoot, return the string to a neutral, undrawn position and keep the arrows pointing either at the target or at the floor in front of you.
- Do not enter the range unless an “all clear” has been given, indicating that all shooters have finished shooting.
- At the shooting line:
- Do not cross in front of the shooting line if any archers are still shooting. Once all arrows are shot, return your bow to a bow-stand, to the instructor, or to another archer, and verbally agree “clear” with the other archers in your group. Once all have agreed “clear” because they are out of arrows or otherwise finished shooting, only then may that shooting group cross the shooting line and enter the range to retrieve arrows.
- While knocking and preparing to shoot, keep arrows pointed at the targets or down at the floor in front of the shooting line. Bows and arrows must not be pointed anywhere else and never at a person.
- If you drop an arrow (or anything else), do not bend over to pick it up right away. Leave dropped arrows or items on the ground until all archers in that shooting group have agreed “clear”, and even then, only retrieve dropped items if safe to do so.
- While in the range:
- When walking through the range, please walk normally, and look where you are going. Be aware of where the arrows, targets, and other archers are at all times. Do not run.
- Do not move within arm’s reach of the back of an arrow that has landed in the target boss. Only approach a landed arrow from the side.
- When removing arrows, check behind you each time you intend to pull an arrow out of the target. Make sure no other participant is standing too close (such that they could be struck by the tail of the arrow or by your elbow as you pull) – and if they are, ask them to move back, and wait for them to do so before you pull.
Archery equipment handling
- Bows may not be pointed at anything other than the floor (for transport) or targets (for shooting). NEVER point a bow or arrow at a person.
- Do not knock an arrow on a bow unless you are on the shooting line.
- Do not “dry fire” the bows (releasing the string when the bow is unloaded).
- Do not point your bow down range without confirmation that the range is empty and it is safe to shoot.
- Deliberate or Repeated accidental damage to club equipment may be grounds for an early end to your shooting session.
- Report any damage or equipment malfunctions to an instructor as soon as it is discovered. This can include broken arrows, fraying strings, or any obvious signs of bows splitting or warping.
- The following pieces of equipment are NOT permitted on our range for safety reasons:
- Bows with higher than 50lb draw weight
- Crossbows
- Non target arrow heads (eg broadheads).