I couldn't say how many times I've heard this story, and I don't think I've ever heard it told the same way twice.
I'd searched the internet for something...ANYTHING, to verify it as fact or fiction. Thanks to some help on where to find a copy, I recently purchased the 4th Edition of the Archer's Digest, which carried the story. It arrived today, and of course I went straight for the one article I bought it for to begin with.
First, there were two archers--not just one. The shot distance was 20 feet. Two bales were set up, where both archers alternated between them, shooting 36 arrows per round. After that, they turned around to shoot at the other target while the arrows were removed from the first. The nocks were left on the arrows, but heated and spread apart to make it less likely for an arrow to glance off.
Not as impressive as most of the versions I've heard, but impressive nontheless.
Now, why did I say "maybe" in the title? Well...you be the judge here. According to the article, one of the archers was using a 40# pull longbow...and (also according to the article) he was getting "about 195 feet per second (fps)" with arrows that weighed (get this) 520 grains! 195 fps with 13 gpp with what looks to be no more than a 28" draw, from a longbow, back in 1985 or 86. Really?
Amost forgot. The total number of arrows fired was 9,025. The total number of "robin hoods" was a combined 347 in a 24 hour period. The most split in one 36 arrow group was four.
Although some of the stats are questionable (195 fps with 13 gpp?????), I reckon this is the best version of the story available. It's certainly the best I've been able to find.
Chad