Tag Archives: American Flatbow

Jul 13 2016

Shoot report – Druids – June 2016

Druids Solstice shoot

Druids Solstice shoot

Firstly apologies to readers and followers, I’ve been very slow at writing up this shoot report which I put down to writers fatigue. Not with this blog but due to non archery related work levels. So better late than never here is my shoot report for Druids archers event.
A few weeks ago we headed south to a new club to us, Druids. It would be our first ever trip to Druids ground and in many ways we wished we’d been before.
The shoot would be Druids two day summer solstice special with the course being modified for the second day with 3d targets being moved or shooting peg positions being altered to afford different shooting angles.
With 40 3d targets that would take some planning and work. Added to this was the Saturday evening meal which you could book in advance along with the hosts setting up a beer tent, I think the organisers had their work cut out for them over the weekend. Add in around 180 archers of all styles and disciplines and a few trade stalls it was a sizable undertaking.
Though there was the option of camping on site we had chosen not too, which in hindsight was a good plan as I’d been suffering with a virus the week before that floored me for a few days.
Our thanks to Wendy and Mark who gave us details of local pub with rooms.

Sharon shooting

Sharon shooting

We’d arranged with them to stay there and go out for a meal rather than camping which was a shame in some ways as you missed out on the evening banter etc but did provide a dry accommodation, hot meal and socialable evening. Maybe I’m getting old and just enjoying my creature comforts. So Saturday night we enjoyed a good meal and conversations about all things archery and life. Thanks guys for the company.
Anyway back to the shoot.

Second target on Saturday a 3d Lion in the field

Second target on Saturday a 3d Lion in the field

The ground is split over two woods with a few shots in the field that connects them. The two woods being a mix of broad leaf established trees and younger coppice. Though mostly flat terain there are a few locations where the club course layers  made use of the limited inclines affording a few down hill shots. There were also so very nicely framed shots between trees.

Sharon shooting 3D between trees

Sharon shooting 3D between trees

The one thing we were warned of was the public footpath that runs straight through the upper wood. This wasn’t really a problem but we did have to stop shooting Sunday to allow a group of ramblers make there way through. Yes there were lots of requests from them not to shoot them, along with comments about types of bows etc.

Saturday would see a shooting group made up of Brian and Paul,  a father and son both shooting longbow joining Sharon and I on peg 19.
The day ran smoothly with few hold ups until near the end of the day. still we were still finished by 4:30.

3D bear on day one - clever trick

3D bear on day one – clever trick

There were some cleverly laid shots like the bear above that you shot over a slight inclined bank and through long grass. Neither Sharon or I shot particularly well with Sharon making a faithful comment of “you’ve not lost or broken any arrows”

Long down hill 3D fox on first day

Long down hill 3D fox on first day

In the next 7 targets I manages to break or lose 4 arrows, 3 arrows broke in targets as the arrow penetrated the 3d but hit the securing metal stake snapping the pile off. My hope was Sunday would not be so hard on my arrows.

Black 3D raven on branches in front of black boss

Black 3D raven on branches in front of black boss

Sunday we had a different shooting group, though still on target 19, Sunday would see us with Colin in free style and Jennie shooting bare bow.

Very long Bison 3D

Very long Bison 3D

The day flowed well if a little slower than Saturday, possibly because some of the reworked shots were more tricky and technical. The longest delay being at the Bison shot which is not surprising considering the distance.

3D tiger in the field on Sunday

3D tiger in the field on Sunday

Overall we enjoyed the weekend with there being quite a relaxed atmosphere.

3D bobcat

3D bobcat

There were a few shots where I think they were a little bit close to others that made you aware of other archers on the next or previous peg, but this was only in one area and to be completely fair to Druids it was a good course with sensible distances that were challenging but not stretched.

Small 3D fox between trees

Small 3D fox between trees

Fortunately the rain didn’t arrive until late Sunday afternoon and was quite light until we were all sheltering in the marquee. So considerate of it when you remember all the bad weather and heavy downpours we’ve been experiencing.
Despite Sharon not shooting to her usual standard she won ladies afb and I managed to scrape 2nd in gents. A full listing of the results can be found here on the Druids website.
As always thanks for reading.

Jun 13 2016

Shoot report – NFAS 3D Championships 2016

Walk out to Y course on Saturday

Walk out to Y course on Saturday

A few weeks ago there was the National Field Archery Society 3D championship which is one of the larger events in the NFAS calendar. This saw just under 700 archers attending the two day event, which this year would be held on the outskirts of Sherwood forest, Nottinghamshire. Somewhat appropriate don’t you think for an archery competition.
The two courses I would be shooting were Y and X course, set by Spirit of Sherwood and Pines Park respectively. Unlike at a normal shoot where you would be shooting with other archers in different disciplines in the same group e.g. barebow with longbows, compound with flat bows, these courses would be specifically set for wooden arrow shooters.
What are the championships?
For those not familiar with the process of the NFAS championship here is a quick run down.
The championships consist of 2 days of shooting 2 different courses. With all 40  targets being 3D targets of varying sizes and distances.
A & B courses were for archers shooting compound bows, crossbows and barebow ie the metal/carbon arrow courses. X & Y were for longbows American flatbow, primitive and hunting tackle i.e. the wooden arrow courses. Normally Y and X are the classification for metal arrow courses, but for some reason the they changed it this year. Maybe it was to keep us on our toes. You are randomly allocated to a shooting group. With all archers in the same class shooting the same course on the same day.
You can check out the previous years reviews here for 2015. So I would shoot Y course Saturday with all other flatbow archers and X on Sunday.
Behind the scenes
There is a an awful lot of preperation work that goes on behind the scenes at events like this. Espeically in the case for Spirits course (Y) as the undergrowth and tree plantation needed a lot of clearing to make clear pathways and routes through. So well done guys.
Administration of shooting groups is also another headache and I know there was a delay on the Sunday due to a number of no shows on the metal arrows courses. So top marks to the administration team (Karen, Shirley and others) who, not only coped with last minute drop outs but also managed to get the  final results out and on the websitea little over 24 hours after the end of the event.
I would also like to say how great  it was to meet new people and old friends.
We’d decided against camping this year, and instead found a small pub about 3 miles from the site. Memories of heavy rain and wet tents always come to mind when people think of the 3Ds but this year it was to be a fine dry weekend.
One of the advantages of the 3D championships more so than other champs is the chance to catch up with old friends like Mark Taylor of Artemis. Mark took us to our first ever NFAS shoot so it was really great to catch up with him.

Day one

Y course announcements at Spirit of Sherwood

Y course announcements at Spirit of Sherwood

So I would start the 3d championships on Y course and peg 12 with 3 other archers, Brian and Amanda shooting longbow and Claude joining me on flatbow. The course was set by the Spirit of Sherwood club who in my view set some the best club courses on the nfas circuit.
First target on Y course

First target on Y course

When you got out onto Y course and started moving through the woodland it was evident the sheer amount of work involved in setting up a course in this virgin woodland. I hate to think how much fuel must have been used in chainsaws and strimmer to cut through dense woodland section.
Y course after food break

Y course after food break

The terain did make for closer shots than expected, which in some ways made it more frustrating when you scored 16 points for what should have been an easy 20 or more. That lapse of concentration is the archers fault and I freely admit to being one of them.
another 3d on Y course

another 3d on Y course

3D in the darkness

3D in the darkness

Others might say it was too easy, well I didn’t see any max scores recorded. The shorter distances also meant the lower poundage bows or the less experienced archers scored well.
Cobra in the shadows on Y course

Cobra in the shadows on Y course

one of the longer shots on Y course

one of the longer shots on Y course

One thing I have not mentioned are the cakes. Spirit of Sherwood have a great cake stall and I would recommend their lemon drizzle cake to everyone. In fact I think I just have.
Last target of the day on Y course

Last target of the day on Y course

So that was the of the first day and we headed back to our digs for some food and rest for the next day. Unlike in previous years the organisers did not post the first day results, so no-one knew where they were placed.
Thanks for reading, i’ll post the second days review shortly.

May 10 2016

Shoot report – South Cheshire – May 2016

Traffic jam on motorway

Traffic jam on motorway

Sunday morning we were packed and on our way to South Cheshire shoot early as it’s one of the further shoots and takes about an hour and a half journey time. The problem was the motorway north was down to 1 lane instead of 4 due to an accident so that made for a very stressful drive as we sat in the traffic for 30 minutes waiting our turn. As it was we made the shoot in time to register and by all accounts several others had been delayed in the same incident. Let’s hope the passengers in the van that had crashed and flipped onto it’s side are okay.
South Cheshire

South Cheshire

The weather on Sunday was unseasonably warm with temperatures in the low 20 degree centigrade a complete contrast to recent weeks, this meant I was able to get a few photos.
Second target of the day 3D antelope

Second target of the day 3D antelope

This would be the first outing with my new Black Brook flatbow.
3D fox between the trees

3D fox between the trees

The course was entirely 3d targets and they had painted small pink dots in the centre of the kill zone for every target.
I’m unsure if I like the idea or not. In some ways it means all archers know where the highest scoring zones note just those with sights or access to listing of 3ds, also there are no arguments as to which scoring zones count.
The downside was it appeared to wear off as the day went on so not all archers were as clearly visible later in the day. Possibly the use of different paint would solve this.
3D boar

3D boar

There were some new 3ds including a sea lion and big cat which we hadn’t seen on previous shoots at South Cheshire or other shoots.
Small 3D cat in the sun

Small 3D cat in the sun

Another 3D between trees

Another 3D between trees

There were a number of shots framed between trees and branches making them hard to judge.
3D Turkey shot between trees

3D Turkey shot between trees

I think a few well placed catching nets would have sped the search for arrows up on a couple of targets, especially the ones near the water.
Very long shot at 3D Deer

Very long shot at 3D Deer

My thanks to the two marshals who helped retrieve the wayward arrows in the lake. Glad I could help launch and retrieve the boat, though I think a couple oars might be useful next time.
Discovered that the arrow sock labels I’d put on the night before don’t cope with being in water.
Sharon shot well winning ladies afb and actually scoring higher than the gents did too. Unfortunately my first outing wasn’t a very auspicious one, I really need more practice.
Sharon shooting 3D

Sharon shooting 3D

The journey home was less eventful but looks like we’ve developed an issue with the cars rear breaks, so no doubt that will be pricey to solve. So all in all was not the best day for car journeys.
Thanks for reading.