Even though archery can be enjoyable and a fun sport, arrows are still lethal projectiles even from the lightest bow, hence all archers must obey the following safety rules.
- Do not run, ever! This is a target based sport, not a race.
- Do not nock an arrow on to the bow string or draw the bow unless you are on the shooting line, facing the target and the whistle has been blown.
- Do not step up to the shooting line until every one is behind the shooting line.
- If you are in the act of shooting and the whistle is blown or somebody shouts FAST! STOP shooting immediately, and come down. Do not shoot your arrow. Remove the arrow from the string and wait for permission to continue from the field caption.
- If anybody is shooting and you notice anything dangerous in front, behind or to the side of the targets shout FAST!
- Once you have shot your arrows step back from the shooting line, observing proper etiquette.
- Do not cross the shooting line to collect your arrows until the whistle has been blown, indicating it is “all clear to collect”.
- Watch out for arrows on the ground in front of the target when collecting arrows.
- Take care to draw arrows correctly without twisting and bending, keep one hand constantly on the target boss to gently push against, and make sure no-one is standing behind you when you draw. Equally, don’t stand behind someone drawing arrows.
- Junior archers cannot shoot without a senior member present.
- Do not “dry fire” a bow (that is, draw it and let go without an arrow in it) – this can seriously damage the bow and injure the archer.
- Any lost arrows, especially when on the pitch, must be found. If you are having difficulties then please let the field captain know.