Bowhunting Equipment

Archery in the SCA


A particularly usefulaspect of an arm guard is that it will help to keep loose clothing out of the wayof the bow string as it is released. Abruptly, the marshal calls "it's clear down range - beginshooting". Again, check with a localarchery marshal for more information. All other styles of bowsincluding recurves, longbows, selfbows, crossbows, and various composite bows reflectingthe style and types of equipment used during the Middle Ages are fine. Although in modern times, therole of the bow has been virtually replaced by the use of gunpowder, it still remainsthe favorite weapon of many sportsmen. Although this is notnecessarily a problem for those that shoot a recurve bow, anyone who shoots alongbow will find an arm guard to be an absolute necessity. And thehitting the gold at the center of the target...or splitting the wand [a narrow polestuck in the ground] is definitely a satisfying accomplishment.One of the unique aspects of archery in the SCA is that it is, for the most part, anon-competitive sport. Archery in the SCAIntroductionYou stand poised at the line, the target...a wand at a distance of 35 yards. Archery is probably one of the first activitiesthat you are likely to participate in when you join the SCA. Archery practicesare currently being held on Sunday afternoons at the Foxworthy Hills camp site in Lyons Brookdepending on weather conditions and the availability of marshals. Archerymarshals will inspect equipment to make sure that it is safe to use, and coordinatethe running of the lines to ensure the safety of all those present, including participantsand spectators alike. Archerypractices are held on a fairly regular basis during the summer months, beginning in lateMay and usually drawing to a close somewhere around the end of October. Arm guards will cost in the range of $10-15but can be easily made from a small piece of leather and a bit of lacing. As the storygoes, the Saxon King of England, known as Edward the Confessor, died without an heir inthe spring of 1066. Bear in mind that the efficiency of a given bow can be a significantfactor when choosing a particular draw weight. Besidesa bow and some arrows, you should also have a shooting glove, an arm guard, and aquiver. But in this case, it is a real tourney ata local SCA event here in Pictou County. Confidently, you draw your bow and take aim, muscles stretching, and inan instant, the arrow streaks toward the target...A scene from a Robin Hood movie? Early militaryrecords concerning the use of the bow have been recorded from countries throughoutEurope, the Middle East and the Far East and has figured prominently in the successof numerous military campaigns throughout history. First, a properly selected arrow can be shot accuratelyout of just about any bow; an improperly selected arrow will not shoot right out ofany bow, regardless of price. For the type of shooting that is donein the SCA, most archers should consider a bow ranging in draw weight between 30 and40 lbs depending on their draw length and upper body strength. Heraldicbanners flutter in the light breeze...it is a beautiful sunny day in the middle ofAugust. However, throughhis connections with Edward the Confessor, William the Duke of Normandy expected toassume the crown of England. In fact, many archers make their own arrows! In fact, the bow, in its most primitive form,has been used to hunt big game throughout the world, including the African elephant.References to the use of the bow as an important military weapon come from most ofthe early civilizations in Europe and Asia. In order to shoot well, your arrows need to be carefully matched to a)the bow that you are using, and b) your shooting style and form. In the context of the time period coveredby the SCA (500 - 1600 A.D.), the bow first gives rise to prominence as an effective militaryweapon in the 11th century during the Norman invasion of England in 1066. In this regard, most SCA groups have loaner gear on hand for those that wantto try some shooting before heading for the archery shop. In this regard, recurve bows tend to be more forgiving andeasier to shoot than other types of bows such as the longbow or the various types of selfbows or flat bows. In this regard, theaverage draw weight of bows used in the SCA is generally in the 30-35 lb range, forboth men and woman! In this regard, twothings need to be considered. It is also one sportthat just about anyone can do well in and compete on an equal footing. It is also the onemartial activity that just about everyone can take part in - adults and children ofall ages, regardless of your physical condition or handicap. Lastly, a word of advice...don't get a bowthat is too difficult for you to draw and hold! Like most recreationalactivities however, there is some basic equipment that you are going to need. Many archers find thatother types of bows, particularly the longbow, are more difficult to shoot accuratelyand take longer to learn to shoot well. Matched arrows can bepurchased from any number of commercial sources or they can be custom made by fletcherswithin the SCA. Much of the shooting is focused on a personal 'best' and almostall competitions are purely for fun...what we are essentially doing is reenacting anactivity that was an integral and essential aspect of day-to-day life in the MiddleAges. On October 14, 1066, the Norman army consisting primarily of archers andmounted troops met King Harold and his army of foot-soldiers who were armed with battleaxes at Hastings in southern England. Quivers will cost in the range of $25-80+depending on the style and materials used. Recurve bows are generally easier to draw (they stack less), andbecause they have a fairly deep shelf, are closer to being center-shot and lesssubject to what is referred to as the 'archer's paradox'. Scores are based on a shoot using the NAA-FITA standard 5 colour, 60centimeter round targets and consisting of one end of 6 arrows shot at measureddistances of 20, 30, and 40 yards, and a 30 second speed round at 20 yards. Some people find it difficult to easily removearrows from a back quiver while they are shooting and prefer a side quiver instead.The main disadvantage of a side quiver is that it tends to swing and get in the waya bit when you are walking or moving around. The back quiver keeps the arrows well out of the wayand provides a moderate speed advantage when removing arrows from the quiver,particularly during a speed round. The battle that insued was soon over when King Harold diedas a result of being hit in the eye by an arrow. The bow stands uniquely by itselfas an effective and highly efficient hunting weapon and has been used continuouslythroughout the ages by most cultures, both primitive and modern. The English army was initially successful in holdingoff the Norman invaders, but as the battles wore on, and through a series of rouses by theNormans, the English troops began to suffer unyielding losses at the hands of the Normanarchers who were using longbows. The English Witan [ruling council] decided to name Harold, thepowerful Earl of Wessex who was a Saxon, as the successor to William. The ranking system is based on the average of the threehighest Royal Round scores submitted to the Archery Scorekeeper within the previoustwelve months. There are twomain stipulations however and these include 1) a strict adherence to safety, and 2) allequipment should adhere to the spirit of mediæval archery. They are also an excellent constructionproject however, and many archers prefer to design and make there own at very littlecost.Archery in Distant ShoreArchery has been one of the focal points for SCA activities in Distant Shore. This is essentially a rankingsystem that is designed to provide individual archers with a method to compareindividual skill levels. This is the start of the annual Silver Arrow Archery Tournamentat Foxworthy Manor...the prize - the coveted silver arrow! This meansthat we do not use modern compound bows or crossbows, sighting mechanisms, or releases,etc. This should be done in both strung and unstrung condition.If you have any doubts, ask a local archery marshal to check it out for you. Used bows should always be checked carefully before buying...look for warps,checks and breaks in the laminations, previous repairs that may be suspect, andgeneral overall condition. William decided immediately to invade England and takethe crown. You glance quickly downthe line, last year's winner is at the other end, confident that she will walk awaywith the prize once again. You wait patiently for the marshal to declare the range clear and prepare toshoot...the other archers get ready too, fingers lightly touching the string of theirbows in anticipation. You will also have to decide on the type of bow thatyou will like to shoot.