Where Can I Practice Archery: Ultimate Guide
Where Can I Practice Archery?
Archery requires a different kind of setup than most sports because you have to find outdoor shooting ranges or indoor ranges in order to shoot at your target. You can practice archery in different locations. Whether it is within the four walls of a building or an open space, you are good to take your shots. Here are some outlined areas where you can take your shots:
An Indoor Shooting Archery Ranges
These are good for practicing but can get a little pricey if you go too often. Besides that, they’re a great place to meet fellow archers and form a community.
A Bowling Alley
Many bowling alleys have space in their back area that they use for storage. If you’re lucky, you just might be able to convince the facility manager to let you use that space for shooting. Bring your own targets or make them yourself – remember that arrows can go through just about anything, so take care before standing behind your target!
A Park
Sometimes people forget about other places besides indoor shooting facilities. Any open space in a park should do the trick, so long as it’s flat and somewhat clear of obstructions. Make sure to bring your own targets for this one – if you shoot at the ground or trees it will damage them!
A Stadium
Some stadiums have lots that are wide-open and close enough to allow easy access.
An Old Warehouse
These make great places to shoot because they are usually vast expanses with high ceilings, and most warehouses have few windows to break the space up too much. Just be sure that you won’t run into any trouble for trespassing (or breaking and entering).
A Field
Open fields are great if you have the space. Just be careful where you shoot so as not to damage anything!
A Friend’s House
If your friend is generous enough to let you use their outdoors, then take them up on it!
A Public Park
These are free but may have a time limit depending on the type of park. They might not be able to provide you with an actual target archery range either. You can always make one yourself if you’re really desperate!
A Backyard
Not everyone has a massive warehouse or a stadium in their backyard, but some people’s yards are big enough to support target practice archery shooting.
A Parking Lot
If you have permission from whoever manages it, why not?
An Empty Field
As long as the field doesn’t have any livestock or crops growing in it, you probably won’t do much damage. Just make sure that there aren’t any buildings nearby that might get in the way of an errant arrow!
Old Buildings
These are cool because they often have lots of wonderful graffiti art covering the walls. If you decide to shoot at these, make sure that the building is abandoned and you won’t damage anything.
An Arrow Wood
If you’ve got some archery equipment already, then it’s not too hard to make your own range at arrowwood. You can usually find these in or around heavily wooded areas; just ask permission first if necessary!
A Scenic Overlook
You might have to drive a little bit out of your way, but these are usually worth the trip. Besides that, it’s always nice to take in some fresh air and enjoy the view.
An Empty Parking Lot
Just remember that if you’re going to shoot at a parking lot, be sure to only go during off-peak hours. Otherwise, you might cause some serious damage to property or vehicles. Keep your eyes peeled for signs warning people of flooded areas too – parking lots are notorious for puddles!
An Aluminum Building
These are surprisingly affordable and can be bought online if necessary. They are also pretty tough, so you don’t have to worry too much about damaging them with an errant arrow. Just be careful where you shoot so as not to damage any windows!
A Repair Archery Shop
Depending on the type of repair shop, it might be possible to ask if you can use their back area for target practice. You could always try telling the manager that it’ll help you build up your strength if they don’t believe it!
A Wall
Just be careful where you shoot, as bricks can chip and old walls can collapse on their own. If possible, try to find a large wooden wall that won’t damage arrows as much if they hit it off-center.
Local archery clubs
These are some local archery clubs you can look for
1. USA Archery JOAD (USA Archery Juniors Olympic Development Program)
2. Area 2 JOAD
3. Capital City Archers Junior Section
4. Charlotte Fletchers Arrows
5. 4H Shooting Sports
7. New Hampshire Institute of Sports Archery Team at UNH
8. Winston Churchill Jr.-Sr. High School, San Antonio
9. Clover Hill High School Archery Team
10. Seguin High School Archery Clubs
Backyard archery range tips
1) Get permission first
Before you choose your spot, make sure that you ask whoever is in charge if it’s all right to set up an archery range. If there are any houses around the area, be especially mindful of this!
2) Use a backdrop
You might not feel comfortable shooting towards the sky without a backdrop. If this is the case, you can use a big sheet of plywood to stop your arrows from going too far!
3) Use a target
No matter where you shoot, it’s always a good idea to have targets set up. You don’t want any arrows going over the fence and into the neighbor’s yard without your permission! Some people choose to make a DIY target by stuffing a large bag with hay or straw then stapling some kind of large fabric over it. This saves money in the end because you won’t have to keep buying targets all the time. Just be careful not the damage anything when removing your arrow from it!
4) Mark off areas
Before getting down to shooting, it’s important to make sure that you have enough space. If you’re using a big backyard, then there shouldn’t be anything to worry about. Just be careful not to shoot over an area where people frequently walk or drive!
Outdoor Archery Range Near me
1) Use a backdrop
This is especially important if you’re shooting at a high angle. You don’t want any arrows landing out of sight and causing someone to fall and injure themselves! A simple piece of plywood should suffice; just make sure it’s big enough so that your arrows won’t go through the cracks!
2) Mark off areas
If there are any buildings or other structures nearby, then you’ll have to mark them off with cones or something similar. This lets other people know not to stand in those areas when you start practicing. Just be careful not to damage anything!
3) Brake down your bow before leaving
Even if your equipment was perfectly safe when you first set up, being out in the elements might cause it to warp or otherwise change. Be sure to bring your bow back inside after you’re done practicing!
4) Do not shoot towards people
It’s ill-advised to shoot towards anything that can easily be mistaken for a person, like rocks or trees. The last thing you want is someone telling you that you hit them with an arrow!
5) Watch out for errant arrows
Even if you’ve got all of your targets set up correctly, there’s always the chance that an errant arrow might somehow end up further than intended. It doesn’t help anyone if you accidentally shoot at something valuable while looking for where your arrow landed!
Practice Public Shooting Tips
1. Look down your arrow before practicing shooting. Before each shot, take a look to make sure that the fletching is straight. This ensures that the arrow flies straight and goes where you want it to! If there’s any dirt or debris on the fletching, then use some compressed air to get rid of it. Don’t let it get too dusty or you’ll have to clean it off before shooting again!
2. Keep your bow strung between practice sessions. If you leave your bow unstrung for long periods of time, then the string will start to lose its elasticity. This makes the arrow fly in unpredictable ways and makes it difficult to use!
3. Do not use a bow stand to hold your bow while it’s strung. You might think that using a bow stand would be the easiest method to ensure that your bow doesn’t get damaged. Unfortunately, this is not the case! If you don’t unwind the string from the latch, then the pressure from the string might cause it to fly over and impale you!
4. Use lubricant on your bowstring. Lubricating the string ensures that it slips smoothly through your fingers. This makes it easier to use when you have to knock an arrow quickly!
5. Set up your arrows carefully. Always make sure that the arrow is not touching anything but the bowstring. This ensures smooth flight and accuracy!
6. Clean your arrows off before practicing. If you don’t clean your arrows after use, then they’ll accumulate dirt and grime quickly. This will affect their flight and might cause them to miss the mark!
7. Always practice safety. No matter what you’re doing, be sure to follow all safety protocols. This ensures that no one is injured by your equipment!
8. Always use the proper form when practicing. Using the incorrect form or position when shooting can cause you to accidentally hit yourself in the arm, leg, or elsewhere!
9. Do not leave your equipment out in the open. Leaving your equipment exposed to the environment can cause it to warp and become less accurate! Put them into a case and keep them inside until you’re ready to use them again.
10. Practice makes perfect. Be sure to practice these techniques often so that you can shoot well! It might take weeks before it starts to become second nature, but you’ll improve with time!
