The Bowmen of Harrow

A: Access is permitted to the indoor range and grounds between the hours of 8am and 11pm.

A: You should 'sign in' (i.e. put your name in the book), whenever you enter the grounds, whether shooting indoors, outdoors, or just visiting and not shooting.

A: Members should close and lock the sports ground gate using the padlock whenever they enter or leave the club. Members should not leave the gate open for other members that are 'leaving soon'. A member should only leave the gate open if someone is following immediately behind.

A: The sports ground is split into two main fields - the Tearoom field is adjacent to the club house, and the Nursery field on the other side of the stream. A moveable boss is situated in each field. If a field is not in use it should be possible to use it for outdoor shooting if the ground is not too wet and muddy. A field may also be out of use due to re-seeding or maintenance. If in doubt consult the grounds man.

A: You must do as much possible to find the arrow. A metal detector is available in the club house. If you still can't find it, the loss must be recorded in the Lost Arrow Book in the club house, stating date and approximately where lost.

A: Any accident must be entered in the Accident Book located in the club house, stating date, and what happened.

A: Dark green or white clothing (i.e. Ladies: dress, skirt, trousers or short with suitable top; Gentlemen: trousers or shorts, with long or short sleeved shirt). White or green garments may be worn together. Alternatively club colours (see below) may be worn. Note that for Bowmen of Harrow competitions, and for the Middlesex Short Metric League this dress code is not required. Other GNAS competitions may require this dress code.

A: The Bowmen of Harrow club colours are black skirt/trousers/shorts for Ladies, black shorts/trousers for Gentlemen, and black t-shirt/sweater with red sleeves for both. For more information please contact the club secretary Barbara Saduikis on (020) 8723 9492 or 07743 590494.

A: To purchase please contact the club secretary Barbara Saduikis on (020) 8723 9492 or 07743 590494.

Description	Price
Large Cloth Badge (White)	£3.50
Large Cloth Badge (Green)	£3.50
Small Cloth Badge (White)	£2.50
Small Cloth Badge (Green)	£2.50
Tackle Box Sticker	£2.50
Windscreen Sticker	£2.50
Blazer Badge	£4.50
Enamelled Metal Gilt Badge	£3.00

A: Yes we are on Facebook, but you have to be a Facebook member to find us. Log-on to Facebook and search for 'Bowmen of Harrow' and you'll find us. To join the group, you then have to apply via Facebook. If you are a full member of the club, you will then be allowed to access the group.

1. Clothing? There is no dress code. GNAS forest green/white is not obligatory. Club colours would be great.
2. Footwear? No open toed sandals. If there is an arrow sticking out of the ground your tootsies might get hurt.
3. What time does it start? Sighters are at 2pm. Try to get there for 1:30pm though to give you time to set up.
4. What distances are involved? 50m and 30m for both gentlemen and ladies. You shoot 3 dozen arrows at 50m, and 3 dozen at 30m. The 50m distance is shot before the 30m distance.
5. What size is the target and what is the scoring? Its 80cm. For Recurves the scoring is -
   Inner 10: scored as 10, but marked as X on the score sheet
   Inner Gold: 10
   Outer Gold: 9
   Inner Red: 8                     Inner Black: 4
   Outer Red: 7                    Outer Black: 3
   Inner Blue: 6                    Inner White: 2
   Outer Blue: 5                   Outer While: 1
   A miss scores zero, but is marked as M on the score sheet.
6. What is a line cutter? An arrow that cuts or touches the line between two colours on a target scores the higher value.
7. How many arrows do you shoot at a time? Three arrows at a time.
8. People blowing whistles and shouting stuff.
   One whistle blast: Move to the line and start shooting.
   Two whistle blasts: Move forward to the target to record your score, and then collect your arrows (always pull them out after everyone has finished scoring on your target).
   Someone shouts ‘Fast’: Stop shooting immediately, and put your arrow back in the quiver.
9. What are sighters? These are 6 arrows shot at 50m before scoring starts to allow you to adjust your sight. These are shot 3 arrows, collect, 3 arrows, collect (see 10. below). There are no sighters at 30m.
10. What is a ‘detail’? Usually four people share a target. They are spit into groups of two each (a ‘detail’), known as ‘A’ and ‘B’. The sequence is
    ‘A’ shoots their 3 arrows first for sighters, then ‘B’ shoots 3. Collect.
    ‘B’ shoots the next 3 arrows for sighters, then ‘A’ shoots 3. Collect.
    ‘A’ shoots their first 3 arrows at 50m, then ‘B’ shoots 3. Collect and Score.
    ‘B’ shoots the next 3 arrows, then ‘A’ shoots 3. Collect and Score.
    And so ‘A’ and ‘B’ keep alternating. Don’t forget which detail you’re on, and watch out for when it’s your turn on the line.
11. How to really annoy people. Usually shooting better than them works, but a good second is stepping away from the line while your partner in the detail is in the middle of a shot, and a good third is going round looking at everyone’s score sheet.
12. Will people sneer at me if this is my first short metric? Absolutely not. Short metrics are good place to start outdoor competition, and your fellow archers will only be too glad to help you.
13. How long does a short metric last? Allow a whole afternoon, 1:30 pm to around 7:00 pm to include hearing the results.
14. What should I bring with me? Apart from your archery gear, a fold-up chair is a must, unless you like sitting on the ground for four hours. Water and a snack is a good idea, though the club you’re at will usually provide refreshments. For hot weather a hat and sun screen, and for rainy an umbrella and water proofs. The regulars usually have a tent of some sort.

1. Take your position on the shooting line when instructed to do so, making sure you straddle the line so that you and all archers are standing in one straight line.
2. Only nock your arrow after the archery range is confirmed to be clear and the agreed signal (normally one blast of the whistle) has been given.
3. Never cross the shooting line whilst shooting is in progress.
4. Only point a drawn bow in the direction of the target.
5. Never point a drawn bow at anyone, even without an arrow – the person aimed at may not see there is no arrow and may move into danger in an attempt to avoid it.
6. When on the shooting line, keep the bow pointing forward and downward until drawing and aiming.
7. Never shoot from any position other than the shooting line.
8. Never shoot an arrow straight up into the air – remember what goes up must come down!
9. Never shoot an arrow where it can disappear from sight.
10. If an arrow falls of the arrow rest while you are aiming – STOP, come down and restart the shot. Never attempt to reset the arrow at full draw.
11. Never cross the shooting line until everyone has completed shooting and the “all clear” signal (normally two blasts of the whistle) has been given.
12. When shooting in a group; if any arrow or equipment falls forward of the shooting line you may use the bow to rake it towards you. If you cannot reach it with the bow leave it until the “all clear” signal has been given, never cross the shooting line to retrieve it while shooting is in progress.
13. Always walk towards the target, NEVER RUN, be alert for arrows that may have fallen short of the target. Stumbling on these arrows can cause injury and/or damage the arrow. If the fletchings are embedded in the grass; pull the arrow forward through the grass to avoid damaging the fletchings.
14. The danger signal is three or more whistle blasts and/or the shout “FAST”. Upon hearing the danger signal all archers must come down, remove any arrow from the bow, and wait for further instructions.
15. Never draw a bow beyond its intended draw length.
16. Never loose a bow without an arrow in it – the bow could shatter/be damaged.
17. Do not make excessive noise behind the shooting line when others are still shooting.
18. Archers not shooting should move away from the shooting line, taking their equipment with them. This should be a distance of five yards/metres if possible.
19. Spectators must remain behind the shooting line at a distance of 15 yards/metres if possible. Spectators must not enter the range or approach the targets without the permission of the field captain.
20. People are not to fool around with or near archery equipment.
21. Inspect strings before starting to shoot and regularly while shooting; and string showing signs of fraying or with a broken strand must be removed and destroyed.
22. Inspect arrows before shooting and after each end for signs of wear/damage. Arrows showing excessive wear or damage must be removed and destroyed.
23. Beginners must use arrows at least one inch/2.5 cm longer than their “true draw length”. Juniors should check their draw length monthly as they grow so fast.
24. Bracers’ should be worn to keep sleeves out of the way of the string and protect the arm from a “bad loose”. Sleeves should be rolled down, not up.
25. Always use an arrow puller to extract arrows from the target, and be especially careful when pulling carbon-fibre arrows as damage to these arrows can result in slivers being released which are extremely painful if they enter the skin.
26. Before extracting arrows from a target always check behind you; other archers should remain at least two meters away from the target to prevent them being struck by the arrow’s nock as arrows are being withdrawn. Normally only one person should be responsible for extracting arrows from a target, however, on large targets two people may extract arrow provided they can stand on opposite sides when doing so.
27. When shooting outdoors closed footwear must be worn as a precaution against “stubbing” an arrow that has fallen short.
28. All archers must be familiar, and comply, with the lost arrow policy /procedure operated by the club or tournament.
29. When shooting outdoors, always make sure the target boss is securely fastened to the stand, and that the stand is anchored to the ground. This will prevent the target being blown over by the wind, or being pulled over when extracting arrows; preventing damage to arrows and injuries to people nearby.

A GOOD ARCHER -

1. Arrives in good time for a shoot and attends the initial assembly.
2. Respects the dress code at a shoot.
3. Pitches their tent etc. with consideration for others.
4. Allows disabled archers sufficient space, time and courtesy to shoot.
5. Does not talk loudly while others are shooting.
6. Does not talk to another competitor who obviously prefers to be silent.
7. Does not walk up and down the line comparing scores.
8. Does not make any exclamations (good or bad) when on the shooting line as these might distract or put off another archer in the act of shooting.
9. Does not go behind a target to find their arrows before their score has been recorded.
10. Does not touch another archer’s equipment without permission.
11. Will replace/pay for damage to another’s equipment if they damage it through carelessness or negligence.
12. Does not leave litter.
13. Calls their score correctly in groups of three, starting with the highest score.
14. Thanks the target captain for their work at the end of each round for their work.
15. Cheers the field captain at the end of a shoot.
16. Remains until the end of the shoot, attends prize giving and applauds.
17. Cares for the trophy(ies) they win and returns them in good time.
18. Offer to buy the first round.