Field Round
The ideal Field Archery course will be set in rough terrain and forestry areas with steep slopes and as variations in ground as can be achieved safely. A typical shot on a “Field” round set at 50yds
Field archery means a day of shooting in the rough and necessitates walking from one target to the next. The distances walked will be determined by the available space and the course setters ability to set out 14 or 28 targets in safety. The sort of round and distances shot can vary widely. A field range is a challenging course. The targets are generally placed outdoors in varying terrain, from bushveld to grass areas; uphill, down hill and at different distances from target to target.
A Hunter and Field round comprise 28 targets each, with four arrows being shot at each target. These rounds are shot from marked distances varying from 20ft up to a maximum distance of 80yards. Most of the targets require the archer to move forward to the next distance between each arrow. Other rounds will include shooting at monochrome or coloured pictures of animals, these can be either from marked or unmarked distances.
In some rounds all the arrows that hit the target will score, whilst in others the first arrow that hits from a total of three arrows will score depending which arrow or which zone on the picture is hit. In some cases the shots will be made more difficult by clever use of the intervening ground or the positioning of the peg from which you have to shoot forcing the archer to not only estimate the distance but allow for the slope of the ground or perhaps the incline of a tree which can influence the bow alignment especially for those that choose to shoot without sights. Other factors which can influence the shot will include the lighting conditions, in woods this may mean from shooting from the dark to the light or the other way round both contributing to the difficulty of the shot. This wide variety of terrain, shooting conditions and rounds are the true attraction of field archery.
There are a few basic differences between Field Archery and most 3-D courses. Most notably, that field courses have marked distances. Field archery is a game of precision shooting – not yardage estimation.
Field Archery in South Africa is based on the IFAA rules and regulations and the range is made up of 28 targets. There can be 28 targets one after the other, or you can have a 14 target course that is shot twice. We prefer a 28 target course.
Tournament Format
A provincial Field Archery tournament consists of 2 days of competing. On the one day you will shoot a field round and on the other day a hunter round. You shoot four arrows at each target, so you shoot a total of 112 arrows per field and hunter rounds. Some of the shooting positions let you shoot all four arrows from one marked stake; some shooting positions have stakes at four different positions where you walk towards the target on each shot, or in a fan position.
Standard Field Round
The distances vary according to the round you are shooting. The standard IFAA field round has distances that vary from 20 feet to 240 feet (80 Yards). There are four different size faces, the further the target, the bigger the target. If the archer is under 17, the longest distance is 50 yards; if under 13 the longest range is 30 yards.
Targets are round, black and white faces.
SIZE | POSITIONS | ADULTS | VETERANS | JUNIORS | TRADITIONAL AND CUBS |
---|---|---|---|---|
65cm | 4 | 80,70,60,50 yds | 50yds | 30,25,20,15 yds |
65cm | 1 | 65 yds | 50 yds | 30 yds |
65cm | 1 | 60 yds | 45 yds | 25 yds |
65cm | 1 | 55 yds | 40 yds | 20 yds |
50cm | 4 | 45,40,35,30 yds | as adult | 20 yds |
50cm | 4 | 35,35,35,35 yds | as adult | 20 yds |
50cm | 1 | 50 yds | as adult | 20 yds |
50cm | 1 | 45 yds | as adult | 15 yds |
50cm | 1 | 40 yds | as adult | 15 yds |
35cm | 1 | 30 yds | as adult | 10 yds |
35cm | 1 | 25 yds | as adult | 10 yds |
35cm | 1 | 20 yds | as adult | 10 yds |
35cm | 1 | 15 yds | as adult | 10 yds |
20cm | 4 | 35 ,30 ,25 ,20 ft | as adult | 20 ft |
Hunter Round
The hunter round is the same as for the field round except that distances on this round vary between 33 feet (11 Yards) and 210 feet (70 Yards). There are four size faces to shoot at and different distances on the roving course.
Archers shoot at an all black target face with a white dot.
Scoring Format
For Both the Standard Field and the Hunter round, there is a possible 20 points per target and a perfect round is 560.
A double scoring format will be used for the tournament. You will receive 2 scorecards on registration of a tournament. When the target draw is announced at the beginning of a tournament, the first person in the group is normally the Captain of the group, the second and third person is the scorekeepers and the fourth person assist with the pulling of arrows. A Cub master will be appointed to accompany the cubs on the range and assist with the scoring. After completion of a competing day you need to verify your scores and sign the score card before it is handed in for score capturing.
Qualifying Scores
Provincial and National qualifying scores can only be obtained on a field and hunter round. The animal round score at the annual SANFAC does not count towards qualifying scores. A National record can be shot on each of the competing days including the animal round. There is also a 2 day record and a 3 day record up for grabs. World Field Records can only be shot at the WFAC and ARFAC tournaments.
Notes regarding the Animal Round
The animal round is shot once a year at the Field Nationals. The animal round is much like the 3-D round but the targets are 2-D, that is, an animal printed on a sheet of paper that is usually glued on a cardboard. Once again, distances are marked to give everyone an equal chance.
Scoring is a bit different on this round. You take three of your arrows and mark them 1, 2, and 3. When you get to the shooting stake you shoot arrow number 1.
If you hit the scoring area you need not shoot another arrow.
If you miss the first shot you move up to the next shooting stake and shoot arrow number 2. If you hit the scoring zone there’s no need to shoot number 3.
If you missed number one and two, move up and shoot arrow number three. Scoring is based on where you hit with which arrow.