Archery is a fascinating, inclusive, and accessible sport that can be enjoyed by the
whole family.
There are many benefits of archery. It’s good for your health, offers a varied sporting
challenge, advances your skills, but ultimately fun.
Archery has a sociable community, and it encourages personal fulfillment and a
friendly environment.
Please note, Valley Bowmen is an outdoor club only, all our shooting activities are
carried outside in almost all weathers.
Field archery at Valley Bowmen consist of shooting at targets of different sizes set at varying distances, heights, and angles around a course in our woods.
This variety offers a challenge to new and experienced archers alike and brings new elements to the sport that some archers may not have experienced before.
3D archery is a form of archery where participants shoot at three-dimensional targets made to resemble animals at various distances and angles. 3D archery simulates real-life hunting scenarios where the archer must judge distance, angle, and terrain
to accurately hit the target.
In 3D archery, the targets are typically made of foam and are shaped like animals
such as deer, bears, wolves, and other wildlife. These targets have scoring rings
placed on them, like traditional archery targets, and points are awarded based on
where the arrow hits the target.
Archers can shoot a specified number of arrows at paper targets consisting of rings
set at different distances. (Like you would see in the Olympics)
The distances of the targets may be marked (the distance stated) or unmarked (the
distance hidden), making the archer’s ability to judge the range of the target a
valuable asset.
As well as general archery skills, archers require additional skills to succeed in field
and 3D archery – including:
- Judging distance
- Shooting uphill and downhill
- Dealing with changing light
- Weather conditions
- Uneven Terrain
These skills are known as fieldcraft.
In field archery competitions, archers may use recurve bows, compound bows,
longbows and traditional bows, and there are different categories for these. The
course may be in a woods or other rough terrain, requiring fitness and endurance, as
well as technical skill in the sport of archery.