When archers did archery.

[George D. Stout]

Cover of "Archery Magazine" from 1946. The cover shows two archers, Gene Little and Hewitt Gall shooting the 80 yard target. One shot each at  80, 70, 60 and 50 yards.
The archers shot two rounds per day for two days; that's 224 arrows each day. Look at the equipment...it's 1946, and we wonder today if we can shoot past thirty yards accurately. These folks took their archery seriously and it paid dividends in the hunting season.

Shoots such as this one at Allegan, Michigan, contributed immensely to the popularity of archery and bowhunting, and did much to help us attain separate bowhunting seasons. And, form was as important in 1946 as it is today...you can almost see the intensity in these archers.


 

[oxnam]

With some of the posts around here, you wouldn't think an arrow could even fly that far.  That is impressive to say the least.  I wonder how well they shot at those distances.

[flint kemper]

George, ah the good old days and I am only 38 soon to be 39. I long for the days of old archery. Thanks for sharing the history. Flint

[George D. Stout]

oxnam, Erwin Pletcher won the shoot in the Expert Bowmen class.  For six rounds, two rounds per day for three days, he shot a 2183, averaging 364 per round out of a possible 560 per round.  They shot 224 arrow per day at 56 targets. You had to be in pretty decent shape to just keep up with that many targets.
Keep in mind what bows they were shooting.  That would be a pretty good score nowadays for a bowhunter shooting a modern longbow.

[T-Mac]

I shoot in a few NFAA events as a lad. That 80 yard walk was the hardest target for me. Another one that gave people real trouble was the bird shot,I think they called it. It was about a 10 or 12 yard shot. Four arrows moving from right to left to each station. Man some of the guys really hated it!

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

thanks George for the great reminder of what our sport is supposed to be about. ARCHERY

[celticknot]

George Thank You for bringing this up. I have alot of people tell me I have to much arrow for my bow. I shoot a 700+gr arrow from my 45lb fiberglass bow. I have shot at tagrets out to 45 yards and hit them in the kill. Everyone says I need more speed and then I remind them what our lifestyle is called ARCHery.

[oxnam]

Tried my first measured 80 yard shot tonight at on our local range.  Managed to keep it on the 4'X4' block.  Started to get worried that my arrow wouldn't come back down soon enough from it's lofty flight.  Humbling to know those archers could pull off.

[Brian Krebs]

Thanks George      

When I rove and practice; I shoot out long distances and impress myself often. If I see a target that just looks so perfect I figure I can't miss; and usually don't-- I more than likely pace off 33 steps to get to it.

 I once had a friend that was into roving shooting; and I remember his glee when he would shoot at a bush or flower that looked far but doable; and then after a successful shot; pacing off 90 steps to it.

 I like up close certain shots for hunting; but I don't use a range finder. I shoot what I ~think~ is close. The deer I shot last week was at a perfect range when I shot; and I hit the top of its heart and both lungs- at 24 yards.

 I like keeping the 'ARCH' in Archery too.