Archery Range Safety Rules

An archer’s arrow can travel at velocities of up to 149 mph, making the sport potentially dangerous. Yet 2004 data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System shows far less than one injury per 1,000 participants, making archery a safer sport than either golfing or fishing, where nearly twice as many injuries occur, the NEISS report shows. Carefully observed archery range safety rules reduce the risk of injury while shooting on a range.

  1. Shooting and Handling Arrows

    • Safety rules at archery ranges mostly discuss the handling of arrows. Never point an arrow at another person or shoot an arrow into the air. Arrows should be pointed down the range toward the target at all times. Shoot an arrow only if you can see the target. If you can't see the exact place where your arrow will hit, the possibility of hitting someone increases.

    Safety Zones

    • The safest place at an archery range is behind the shooting line. Staying behind this line at all times will increase an archer's safety and reduce the chance of being hit by an arrow and sustaining major injuries. Paying attention to and following the range captain’s rules and announcements is imperative. The captain or his designated official will announce when it is safe to shoot an arrow. After the captain shouts ‘clear’, players can cross the shooting line to retrieve their arrows.

    Archery Equipment

    • Inspect your equipment before play. Most ranges require it. Checking your bow and string for cracks or abrasions can help prevent injuries. If you are shooting wooden arrows, inspect them regularly for cracks. If you notice cracks in the wood, break the arrow so no other player can use it. A competitor who shoots a cracked arrow risks painful injury.

    Retrieving Arrows

    • Do not run at any time when retrieving arrows from a target. Stand beside a target when pulling an arrow out. Be sure no one is standing near the target. Sometimes arrows must be tugged to get them out of the target, and an arrow can injure nearby people if it slips from your hands during retrieval.

    Archery Courses

    • At times, archery ranges offer three-dimensional courses. When working your way through such al course, always follow the designated direction. Going through a course in reverse or out of order can increase your chance of being hit by an arrow.