My grandparents raised me when my mam went out to work. They always said if you can’t say something good don’t say anything.
I don’t entirely believe in that as constructive comments can be very helpful.
So here goes. On Sunday we headed about 15 minutes drive down the road to Doverdale shoot ground, a local club who have seen a number of changes in recent months.
We’d shot there previously and been demoralised by their tendency to stretch distances to shots. Stretching is a term I use when the target face or 3d is set further than the norm i.e. if a target is normally set at say 20 yards it might be a challenge at 22 yards but stretched if at 25 yards or more. (under NFAS rules all targets are shot over unmarked distances)
I know a few members of our club had not booked on the shoot because of past experiences, but we thought we would give them the benefit of the doubt.
Sunday was sunny but had a slight chill in the air, fortunately it stayed dry all day. Some 80 archers attended the event which would see a mix of 3d and paper faces. They have a mix deciduous mature woodland with a few dips and avenues.
So on to the course. Well I would say some targets weren’t stretched they were plain ridiculous.
Can think of two out of 36 that were sensible distance.
To give an example of the type of shot we faced. JVD, a paper target face publisher, produces a pheasant target face you often see on shoots. Normally it is set at 15 -18 yards for the first shooting peg, maybe 20 yards at a push. That day it was set at over 30 yards!!
We shot (or attempted to) a paper face mallard that could have been a duckling for the distance.
The shoot was immensely depressing to shoot and I must admit to giving up half way round. The only redeeming feature was the company as all of us were fed up.
I have never walked off a shoot but came close at lunchtime as did a number of others. I think many will vote with their feet next time and simply not book for their next shoot.
The day before we did our club shoot, which was a 36 target 3d course. Sharon scored 536 on Saturday and at Doverdale she scored 412, that was the winning score. I shot 670 on Saturday and 500 at the open shoot. Although we were both placed we were immensely demoralised by the shoot. Heaven knows what others thought.
Thanks for reading.
My Archery Experiences 
Dear oh dear. I think you should have taken your Grandparents advice. A lot of hard work is being put in to turn this club around, and reports such as this are, putting it mildly, unhelpful. Most people that are having a poors days shooting,always look for something/one to blame. Have a good day.
LikeLike
Thank you for your comment Ernie.
I have little doubt there is a lot of hard work being put in to the club and I’m sorry you say an article like this is unhelpful.
These are my comments on course as I saw it. The feelings of an archer who has shot the course and here giving feedback.
I know a fellow archer who shot the course on the same day was asked what they thought.
Following there feedback the archer was told to learn to shoot better.
I’m not looking for someone to blame. I am simply stating my thoughts, feelings and opinions.
LikeLike
It’s a pity that you didn’t express them there and then Rob , as it would have been more helpful. I think I know who you are refering to re the comment. I believe that may have been me. It was taken in the wrong context unfortunately, as ‘shooting better’ was never mentioned. The comment made by the archer was, ‘this course has been set up for compounds’. Not true, as we had three lads on the working party who shoot recurve, flatbow and longbow, and all three can hit the targets put out. But never mind, as I would defend your right to your opinion, but when people are trying to get rid of the name Doverdale has got itself over the past few years, it’s a pity more constructive comments aren’t forthcoming. Good shooting.
LikeLike