When does the outdoor archery season start?

It depends on where you shoot. In much of the northern hemisphere, clubs move outdoors in spring once the evenings are long enough and shoot outside into early autumn, with indoor leagues over the winter. Your club or national association sets its own dates, so check its calendar.

What distances are shot in outdoor archery?

Under World Archery rules, the outdoor qualification round is 72 arrows at 70 metres for recurve, and at 50 metres for compound and barebow. Some age classes shoot shorter distances, and field and 3D rounds have their own distances. Check the rulebook for your round and class.

Do I need different arrows for the outdoor season?

Not necessarily, but many archers who shoot larger-diameter indoor arrows switch to slimmer outdoor shafts, which are less affected by wind. Whatever you shoot, World Archery's target rules cap shaft diameter at 9.3 mm. Re-check your sight marks and tune at the longer distances before your first outdoor competition.

Sezon plenerowy

The outdoor season is the part of the year when target archery moves outside, onto longer distances and larger faces. In much of the northern hemisphere it runs from spring into early autumn, after the indoor season ends. Wind, light and temperature come into play, so archers re-check sight marks and equipment when they make the switch.

Szczegóły

When the season starts and ends depends on your country, your club and the weather. Many clubs shoot indoor leagues through the winter and move outside once the evenings are long enough, and the outdoor competition calendar follows the same pattern. Ask your club when its outdoor range opens.

The distances are the biggest change. The standard World Archery outdoor qualification round, shot at full distance, is 72 arrows: in the men's, women's and U21 classes, recurve archers shoot at 70 metres on the 122 cm face, compound archers at 50 metres on an 80 cm face, and barebow archers at 50 metres on the 122 cm face. Some age classes shoot shorter distances. Indoors, World Archery's standard round is 60 arrows at 18 metres on 40 cm faces. Field and 3D courses are outdoor disciplines too, each with its own distances.

Making the switch takes some preparation. Sight marks set for 18 metres or 20 yards will not carry you to 70 metres, so build a sight tape or a set of marks for the new distances before the first competition. Many archers who shoot larger-diameter indoor arrows change to slimmer outdoor shafts, which the wind pushes around less. World Archery's target rules cap shaft diameter at 9.3 mm in the recurve, compound and barebow divisions, indoors and out. A walk-back check at the longer distances is a good time to confirm the bow is still tuned.

Weather is the other new variable. Wind moves arrows sideways and can push the bow arm, sun can wash out a sight pin, and cold makes fingers and limbs stiffer. Shooting in different conditions in practice, and noting the conditions with your scores, shows you how much each one costs you.

Build up gradually. Starting the season at a shorter distance and adding arrows week by week is easier on the body than jumping straight to a full round at the longest distance.

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When does the outdoor archery season start?: It depends on where you shoot. In much of the northern hemisphere, clubs move outdoors in spring once the evenings are long enough and shoot outside into early autumn, with indoor leagues over the winter. Your club or national association sets its own dates, so check its calendar.
What distances are shot in outdoor archery?: Under World Archery rules, the outdoor qualification round is 72 arrows at 70 metres for recurve, and at 50 metres for compound and barebow. Some age classes shoot shorter distances, and field and 3D rounds have their own distances. Check the rulebook for your round and class.
Do I need different arrows for the outdoor season?: Not necessarily, but many archers who shoot larger-diameter indoor arrows switch to slimmer outdoor shafts, which are less affected by wind. Whatever you shoot, World Archery's target rules cap shaft diameter at 9.3 mm. Re-check your sight marks and tune at the longer distances before your first outdoor competition.