Archery:Range Safety

Range Safety

Range Set-Up

1. The range and safety zone must be clearly marked off. This may be done by the use of ropes, poles, signs, tapes, etc.
2. At events where large numbers of archers are shooting, the Target Archery Marshal-in-Charge shall be easily identifiable.
3. There shall be a safety zone behind and to the sides of the shooting line and targets. It shall be of reasonable size to prevent injury to bystanders. It must be free of traffic, campsites, list fields, parking areas, or other hazards.
   1. The distance of the safety zone behind the targets may be reduced if there is a hill, permanent backstop, archery netting, etc., that will stop stray arrows.
4. If there are roads or paths within the safety zone or range, they shall be blocked off to traffic at both ends during shooting.
5. The shooting line shall be clearly marked. It must not present a tripping hazard.
6. So that no archer unduly endangers another by shooting from behind, all archers will line up the same way, either all toeing the shooting line or all straddling it. Archers shooting from prone, kneeling, or seated positions shall have the head of their arrow or bolt, at full draw, in the same line as the other archers on the line and should be placed together at one end of the line.
7. Each archer shall have, at a minimum, three feet of space on the line, with recommended spacing being at least 4 feet. Other shoots with special circumstances may require other spacing and heightened Target Archery Marshal supervision.
8. During shooting, all spectators shall remain outside the marked safety zones and/or at least 10 feet to the rear of the shooting line.

Range Procedures

1. A Target Archery Marshal shall not allow more archers on a line than can be reasonably and safely supervised.
2. Experienced archers, known to and approved by the Target Archery Marshal-in-Charge, may assist the Target Archery Marshals. When this is done, the ratio of Target Archery Marshals to archers on line may be reduced.
3. At shoots where many of the archers are inexperienced, it may be necessary to increase the ratio of marshals to archers. This increase need not be as great if experienced archers, as well as Target Archery Marshals, are used to supervise the inexperienced archers.
4. Conditions around the range and safety zone may require the use of additional Target Archery Marshals or assistants to observe and prevent traffic through the area.
5. At specialty shoots where the archers are shooting under unusual conditions, such as off-handed, with restricted vision, etc., a one-to-one ratio of Target Archery Marshals and/or assistants to archers may be necessary.
6. Any conditions or artificial handicaps that create an undue safety hazard, even with an increased Target Archery Marshal/assistant to archer ratio of one to one, are forbidden.
7. The Target Archery Marshal-in-Charge may remove archers exhibiting unsafe behavior from the range.

Range Commands

1. The Target Archery Marshal will call the archers to the line.
2. The Target Archery Marshal will look to see that the range and line are clear and safe.
3. The Target Archery Marshal will call out "range clear" or the equivalent, and wait momentarily for any responses.
4. If all is clear, then the order "loose", "loose at will", or the equivalent will be given.
5. When finished shooting, the archers are to lower their bows, step back from the line, and wait until the order to retrieve is given.
6. When all archers are done, the Target Archery Marshal will call "bows down", "cease", or the equivalent and wait for compliance.
7. When all weapons are down, the Target Archery Marshal will give the command "retrieve arrows" or the equivalent.
8. In the case of a serious safety problem on the range such as someone entering, or about to enter, the target or safety zone, the call "hold" shall be given by anyone noticing the problem. All archers are to remove the arrows or bolts from their weapons.

Rules of the Line

1. Ask the Target Archery Marshal for permission before filling in on the line.
2. If "hold" is called, an archer should lower his/her bow, remove his/her arrow or bolt and pay heed to the Target Archery Marshal's instructions.
3. If an archer sees an immediate problem, he/she should call "hold" and inform the Target Archery Marshal-in-Charge.
4. If an archer sees a potential problem, he/she should report it to a Target Archery Marshal.
5. All archers shall follow the instructions of the Target Archery Marshal-in-Charge and of Target Archery Marshals assisting on the line.
6. Archers should step back once he/she has completed shooting and put down their bow.

Safety Rules

1. Archers should always remember the potential danger of their weapons.
2. No arrows or bolts should be nocked when anyone is in front of the shooting line.
3. No archer should discharge a bow when anyone is downrange.
4. No archer should shoot while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.