I'm interesting shooting field for the first time

M

Meow123456

Member
Hi all

I've shot target shoot for 10 years. I'm interesting shooting field for the first time. I live in East London. I've got couple of questions. How do I join the field shoot? Do I have to do the field course first? What distances and target faces size?

Thanks

Sam
 
malbro

malbro

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Field shooting is covered by a number of Societies/Associations and can cover 2D targets, 2D targets of animals/birds etc or 3D targets of animals and birds, even some some insects like spiders.
I belong to NFAS and in the south west clubs tend to shoot 3D animals placed at various but unspecified distances.
 
bimble

bimble

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if you're already doing AGB target archery they also do some field which mean you can just enter a competition (it's how I started). The Kent field champs (which is normally early in the year) is a marked round so as long as you have your sightmarks (10-60m for sighted bows) you should do fine. In early Oct is usually the Essex field champs near Colchester, this to is a one day, marked round. The Surrey field champs is in November and is held down near Dorking, though that is more unusual for AGB field in that it's at animal faces and unmarked distances (5-55m).

These are the three closest to East London.

If you're planning on doing some unmarked rounds it would be a good idea to learn some idea of judging distance. There are methods that use comparing the size of the target to something on your bow (usually the sight) to range the distance.

There are four face sizes in World Archery field, the 20cm bunnies, the 40cm four faces, and the two single spots sizes (60cm and 80cm)

 
R

Riceburner

Active member
Depends on what you fancy doing really.

I'd suggest that the best bet would be, assuming your own current club has no field "splinter groups", find the nearest club that does do field.

If the idea of shooting at recognisable roundels (for familiarity if nothing else) then look for AGB clubs that have field sections (I would hope their website would state as much).

If that idea fills you with horror, ( ;) ) then check out the NFAS website and find the club(s) nearest you and get in touch. Most have a membership secretary who would be more than happy to set you up with a trial at their woodlands - probably even before you get NFAS membership (which is only £20 anyway). Just like in an AGB club they'll be looking to see that you're competant and safe on the course (there's some different rules and behaviours expected that aren't always immediately obvious.... such as the drinking of a lot of tea at regular intervals ;) ).

It also depends on your bow/shooting style. If you're a Longbow shooter then there's a few other organisations to look into which are more specialised.
 
M

Meow123456

Member
Riceburner said:
Depends on what you fancy doing really.

I'd suggest that the best bet would be, assuming your own current club has no field "splinter groups", find the nearest club that does do field.

If the idea of shooting at recognisable roundels (for familiarity if nothing else) then look for AGB clubs that have field sections (I would hope their website would state as much).

If that idea fills you with horror, ( ;) ) then check out the NFAS website and find the club(s) nearest you and get in touch. Most have a membership secretary who would be more than happy to set you up with a trial at their woodlands - probably even before you get NFAS membership (which is only £20 anyway). Just like in an AGB club they'll be looking to see that you're competant and safe on the course (there's some different rules and behaviours expected that aren't always immediately obvious.... such as the drinking of a lot of tea at regular intervals ;) ).

It also depends on your bow/shooting style. If you're a Longbow shooter then there's a few other organisations to look into which are more specialised.
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Thanks
I'm the recurve archer. Trial at their woodlands? I'm interesting to shoot field and 3d field. I just want to experience it, challenge and enjoy it while I can. I've already shot european masters games in tampere (target but didn't shoot field because I don't know anything about it).
 
M

Meow123456

Member
malbro said:
Field shooting is covered by a number of Societies/Associations and can cover 2D targets, 2D targets of animals/birds etc or 3D targets of animals and birds, even some some insects like spiders.
I belong to NFAS and in the south west clubs tend to shoot 3D animals placed at various but unspecified distances.
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So I just become the member but separate archery gb membership?
 
A

AJBrady

Active member
Isn't life complicated these days? In the early 70s our vlub secretary would receive details of local shoots, and say for example "There's an Albion at ***** on the 19th September; who can't go?"

So when it was a field shoot, it was just a case of reading the GNAS Rules of Shooting and having a bash. We just rolled up and shot our normal target gear at what were always Forester Rounds back then.
 
English Bowman

English Bowman

Well-known member
It might be worth contacting Overton Black Arrows in Hampshire, they do regular taster sessions for field as they are an AGB club you won't need additional membership. Also Surrey are hosting a National Animal round on the first weekend in November, which is also AGB and not too far from London.
 
R

Riceburner

Active member
Meow123456 said:
Thanks
I'm the recurve archer. Trial at their woodlands?
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It's my experience that every club will "checkout" potential new members to ensure they're competent and safe.

Meow123456 said:
I'm interesting to shoot field and 3d field. I just want to experience it, challenge and enjoy it while I can. I've already shot european masters games in tampere (target but didn't shoot field because I don't know anything about it).
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There's not a lot of field shooting within AGB (relatively speaking), most clubs are barely even aware of it (in my experience) so if you just want a taster then signing up to one of the AGB field opens would be a first step. (see bimble and English Bowman's posts).
 
English Bowman

English Bowman

Well-known member
Riceburner said:
I didn't know you did 3Ds at Purbrook! That might be worth the AGB membership price on it's own!

(when's the next 3D shoot? Is it next year or the following one?)
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We're down to do the 3Ds next year, as we have an arrangement with Overton Black Arrows to alternate hosting the Hampshire Field and 3D champs.
I'm not sure of the dates yet, it's usually the second weekend in August, but that might not be available.
 
R

Riceburner

Active member
English Bowman said:
We're down to do the 3Ds next year, as we have an arrangement with Overton Black Arrows to alternate hosting the Hampshire Field and 3D champs.
I'm not sure of the dates yet, it's usually the second weekend in August, but that might not be available.
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Excellent - plenty of time to sort out AGB for that day. :D (That and the Surrey Open are about the only reason I have for AGB membership these days. ;) )
 
English Bowman

English Bowman

Well-known member
Riceburner said:
Excellent - plenty of time to sort out AGB for that day. :D (That and the Surrey Open are about the only reason I have for AGB membership these days. ;) )
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If you like 3D it's growing in AGB, you've just missed an excellent shoot at Overton, 1 day 3D that was almost full. Deer Park are doing one in October, which I've heard good things about, plus earlier in the year there was Pentref, Ballands and another at Deer Park, that's just the ones that come to mind.
 
R

Riceburner

Active member
English Bowman said:
If you like 3D it's growing in AGB, you've just missed an excellent shoot at Overton, 1 day 3D that was almost full. Deer Park are doing one in October, which I've heard good things about, plus earlier in the year there was Pentref, Ballands and another at Deer Park, that's just the ones that come to mind.
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To be honest, I've been out of the game for about 5 years now, looking forward very much to this weekends open at Company of 60! (I will be letting every group behind me through as I doubt I'll hit much and be looking for arrows a fair bit!)
 
M

Meow123456

Member
English Bowman said:
We're down to do the 3Ds next year, as we have an arrangement with Overton Black Arrows to alternate hosting the Hampshire Field and 3D champs.
I'm not sure of the dates yet, it's usually the second weekend in August, but that might not be available.
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Cool. I just have to register the English field archery federation membership, join the field club for the session (learn and safe and rules) and ready to take part any field tournaments?
 
bimble

bimble

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Meow123456 said:
Cool. I just have to register the English field archery federation membership, join the field club for the session (learn and safe and rules) and ready to take part any field tournaments?
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Those particular field shoots that English Bowman is talking about are run under the auspices of ArcheryGB and are only open to members of ArcheryGB (and WA) not EFAA
 
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