Field archery
Outdoor archery at varied, often unmarked distances in woodland terrain.
Field archery is a style of shooting where archers aim at outdoor targets set at varying distances, often unmarked, in woodland or rough terrain. It serves both as a traditional outdoor pursuit and a formal competitive sport, and it can help develop the skills and physical conditioning needed for bowhunting in a realistic wilderness environment. The term "fieldcraft" is sometimes used by archers to describe the extra abilities required to handle uneven ground, changing light, and weather conditions.
Competitions are typically governed by the rules of either the International Field Archery Association (IFAA) or the World Archery Federation (WA). Some events follow the regulations of national bodies like the UK’s National Field Archery Society (NFAS) or the US National Field Archery Association (NFAA) and Archery Shooters Association (ASA).
In IFAA and NFAA competitions, there are three main rounds: field, hunter, and animal. Each round consists of 28 targets, split into two units of 14. Field rounds use even distances up to 80 yards, with some short ones measured in feet. Targets have a black inner ring, two white middle rings, and two black outer rings, with four face sizes for different distances. Scoring gives five points for the center spot, four for the white inner ring, and three for the outer black ring. Hunter rounds use uneven distances up to 70 yards, with similar scoring but an all-black target face and a white bullseye. Children and youth shoot from closer positions—no more than 30 and 50 yards, respectively. Animal rounds feature life-size 2D animal targets at uneven distances like the hunter round. Here, the archer starts at the first station and shoots one arrow; if it hits, no further shots are needed. If it misses, the archer moves to a second station for another arrow, and then to a third if still needed. Scoring areas are vital (20, 16, or 12 points) and nonvital (18, 14, or 10), with points based on which arrow lands first. Youth shoot from reduced ranges.
3D rounds use life-size models of game animals, such as deer, with unmarked distances being common. The aim is to recreate a hunting environment for competition, though it is less formally organized than other field archery types.
Quick Facts
- Union
- WA, IFAA
- First
- prehistory
- Firstlabel
- First developed
- Country/Region
- Worldwide
- Contact
- No
- Category
- Target sport
- Equipment
- Bows, arrows, targets
- Iwga
- 1985–2017
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Field archery events are usually conducted according to the rules of either the International Field Archery Association (IFAA) or the World Archery Federation (WA). Others may be held under the rules of national organisations such as the UK National Field Archery Society (NFAS) and the US National Field Archery Association (NFAA) and Archery Shooters Association (ASA). IFAA and NFAA competitions include three rounds: field, hunter, and animal. Field rounds use 'even' distances up to 80 yards, with targets featuring a black inner ring, two white middle rings, and two black outer rings. Hunter rounds use 'uneven' distances up to 70 yards, with an all-black target face and a white bullseye. Animal rounds use life-size 2D animal targets with uneven distances; scoring depends on which arrow hits first, with vital and nonvital scoring areas. 3D rounds use life-size models of game animals such as deer, with unmarked distances common, and normal target or field tips are used instead of broadheads.
Reader's Guide
World Archery divides outdoor archery into Field (with concentric circle targets) and 3D Archery with rubber animal silhouette targets. WA specifies four target face sizes (80 cm, 60 cm, 40 cm, and 20 cm) and shooting positions marked by coloured pegs (red, blue, yellow or white). A WA 24 Marked round is shot at marked distances only; a WA 24 Unmarked round at unmarked distances only; a WA 24 Mixed round uses 12 marked and 12 unmarked targets; and a WA Combined Field round consists of an unmarked round one day and a marked round the next with increased distances. In the UK, the NFAS sets rules for many shoots, including Big Game and 3D shoots, with a walk-up format where archers start at the furthest peg and proceed closer if they miss. The ASA governs competitions solely in 3D archery, with classes for adults, seniors, and youth, and distinguishes known and unknown distance classes. Broadheads are prohibited in IFAA/NFAA and ASA events. Field archery serves as realistic practice for bowhunting, requiring fieldcraft to handle terrain, lighting, and weather conditions.
Did You Know?
- IFAA and NFAA field rounds use four target face sizes for various distances up to 80 yards.
- In animal rounds, if the first arrow hits, the archer does not have to shoot again.
- WA rules require that lanes between shooting positions and targets must not be obstructed by branches or tree trunks.
- NFAS archers must carry a valid NFAS card in order to shoot at NFAS events.
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