I was thinking that it would be interesting to pass along our favorite archery games.
The one I am about to describe was developed by a group of US Border Patrol traditional archers at the Charleston, SC Border Patrol Academy location and was shot every noon (barring rain) for several years.
All that’s needed is a large target, preferably with a blank face (Stacked hay bails would work quite well.) and a safe location for an archery range. The minimum number of shooters is two with the maximum being limited only by range space. (I remember that at one time we had 20 shooters, with ten kneeling and ten standing due to range width limitation.)
The Game: To start off one archer shoots at the target. All other shooters then loose one arrow each at that “spotter” arrow including the original shooter. The one whose arrow hits farthest from the spotter arrow is responsible to go down range and retrieve all the arrows for the others, including the original spotting arrow. He then returns to the firing line and, with averted eyes, formally presents the others with their arrows. It’s great fun and quite infectious with much good natured kidding and hilarity.
The one who retrieved the arrows for that round is then responsible for firing the next “spotter” arrow and gets to choose the distance from which all will fire. Additionally, he automatically gets a warm up shot since he will be firing the spotter.
The new shooters usually were the ones who “walked,” but on occasion an old timer’s arrow was farthest from the spotter and he had to walk. The ribbing really got intense when that happened.
One day I decided that I’d add a little mischievous flavor to the game. I did extensive testing and found that if I lined up with the target and used a telephone wire as an aiming point I could drop my arrow into the center from about 75 yards. Normally the game was played from 15 - 25 yards due to the thick brush behind the backstop which made arrow retrieval next to impossible. The next day sure enough I flubbed a shot and received the usual good natured ribbing as I retrieved the arrows for the others. It was then my responsibility to fire the spotting arrow and it was great to hear the cries of disbelief as I walked back to my hidden mark on the ground. I drew, aimed at the wire and loosed the arrow which centered the target. They unanimously voted (a kind of mutiny actually) that I fire the first follow up shot, and if I missed, then that round was forfeit. My second arrow hit within 6” of the first.
They had to follow suit and it was great to hear the groans as their arrows were heard smacking the brush behind the target. Shortly thereafter one of the Agent / archers came in on a weekend and cleared out the brush behind the targets. It was amazing how many arrows were found back there.
Side notes:
1) Over a period of time, several Agents showed up with compound bows, but quickly learned that, unlike traditional shooters, range estimation was critical with a compound, and they either did not return or switched to traditional equipment.
2) One remarkable thing was how fast folks improved in their shooting skill when participating in this game.
Respectfully,
Kent
Topic: Archery Fun and Games (Read 919 times)
