August September 2023 FAN UK

["August\/ \nSeptember \n2023 \nissue \n~ F o r t h e l o v e o f f i e l d a r c h e r y ~ ","5 \nPhotograph by BILLY WILDING \n 34 \n6-7 \n\u201cIntroducing Bradley: from \n grassroots to the 3D Championships\u201d \n by Black Arrow FAC \n9 \nDunbrody Archers IFAF Bowhunter \nChamps shoot advert 02 & 03.09.2023 \n10-11 \n\u201cClash of the Classics\u201d \nshoot advert 23.09.2023 \n14-17 \nDearne Valley Field \n Archers shoot report 19.07.2023 \n18 \nPhotograph by Roe Valley AC \n22-33 \n The Bodnik Bowhunter \nChallenge & the UK - The Second date \nby Paul Chittenden \nThe Clout Collective 2023 \n shoot dates information \n36 \nPhotograph by MARK SERVICE \n38-43 \n Regent Archers shoot \n report 06.07.2023 \n46-52 \nThe Medieval Society \n 2023 Colchester Oyster Fayre shoot \n56-59 \nFort Purbrook Co. \n of Bowmen WA Field Championships \n 2023 (Open, SCAS and Hampshire) \n shoot report \n60 \nDelamere FAC shoot advert \n 03.09.2023 \nIn this issue... \nIn this issue... \n2 ","62-63 \nJim Granger - SFAA \n 2023 SBHC photographs \n66-67 \nCartoons for you \n by Via Verde \n 102-103 \n68 \nDearne Valley Field Archers \n shoot advert\/dates 2023 \n70-72 \n\u201cThe Bowyer\u2019s Diary\u201d \n by Derek Hutchison \n74-79 \nBritish Horseback \n Archery Association 2023 British National \n Champs match report by Helen Barnes \n81 \n\u201cArchery specific training \n exercises\u201d feature by ARCHERY SUCCESS \n82 \nA Cartoon for you! \nby Via Verde \n84 \nPhotograph: Elina Moilanen \n86-100 \nFAN UK introduces \u201cThe Manchu Bow \n & Manchu Archery\u201d by Csaba Fenesi \nJim Granger - SFAA 2023 SBHC \n photographs \n105 \nPhotograph by \n PAUL WILLIAMS \n106-107 \n\u201cArchery on \nthe Big Screen\u201d by David Hastings \n108 \nNADA contact info & details \n110-111 \nDogs & Crossbows List (updated 25.08.23) \n~ Cover pic by Billy Wilding - pictured Melissa Cooper \n~ Cover pic by Billy Wilding - pictured Melissa Cooper \n@ the 2023 Cumbria Challenge. ~ \n@ the 2023 Cumbria Challenge. ~ \n3 ","https:\/\/fairbowusa.com\/","Photographer: Billy Wilding \nPhotographer: Billy Wilding \nPhotographer: Billy Wilding \nPictured: Melissa Cooper \nPictured: Melissa Cooper \nPictured: Melissa Cooper \n5 ","6 ","7 "," ","9 ","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ \ngroups\/358798904637555 \n10 ","7 "," "," ","Open Shoot \nResults for \n19th July \n2023 \nAmerican Flat Bow \n10 \nClub \nScore \nSpots \nGents \nRichard Wright \nGAFB \nButsfield \n638 \n5 \nGrant Kerr \nGAFB \nWild Geese \n632 \n4 \nGus Gramauskas \nGAFB \nRedoubtables \n630 \n4 \nJim Pierce \nGAFB \nLEFA \n618 \n1 \nPaul Ballard \nGAFB \nRegents \n556 \n3 \nKeith Morris \nGAFB \nRow Brow \n554 \n3 \nMichael Brooksbank \nGAFB \nPhoenix FAC \n548 \n1 \nNeil Illingworth \nGAFB \nCobra \n510 \n13 \nDuncan Jaques \nGAFB \nOwlett Hall \n474 \n1 \nLadies \nGillian Mill \nLAFB \nIndependent \n440 \n0 \nBarebow \n20 \nClub \nScore \nSpots \nGents \nDarryl Salt \nGBB \nDuvelle \n768 \n10 \nRob West \nGBB \nPines Park \n762 \n8 \nThomas Blount \nGBB \nPines Park \n748 \n10 \nPhil Johnson \nGBB \nBriar Rose \n732 \n6 \nRobert Leach \nGBB \nRiggwelter \n720 \n7 \nPeter N Plunkett \nGBB \nDerwynd \n714 \n5 \nRobert Hall \nGBB \nRangers of the North \n698 \n4 \nKevin Armstrong \nGBB \nRangers of the North \n670 \n5 \nPhil Lindley \nGBB \nLEFA \n650 \n17 \nJordan McGrath \nGBB \nRangers of the North \n646 \n2 \nStephen Mill \nGBB \nIndependent \n606 \n5 \nGeoff Eccleshall \nGBB \nViper \n602 \n3 \nSteve Dixon \nGBB \nRegents \n578 \n0 \nAndrew Elliott \nGBB \nDerwynd \n562 \n3 \nLadies \nSarah Monteith \nLBB \nRegents \n692 \n1 \nJacqui Johnson \nLBB \nBriar Rose \n632 \n3 \nNancy Godber \nLBB \nDuvelle \n620 \n2 \nKath Harrison \nLBB \nFirebird \n598 \n4 \n14 ","Barebow \n20 \nClub \nScore \nSpots \nLadies continued... \nMaureen West \nLBB \nPines Park \n588 \n0 \nAnne Moon \nLBB \nRobin Hood LB \n520 \n4 \nUnders \nCordelia Dixon \nU16BB \nRegents \n510 \n0 \nBowHunter \n4 \nClub \nScore \nSpots \nGents \nChris Plant \nGBH \nFoxhill \n762 \n12 \nLadies \nMaddie Morrow \nLBH \nBlack Swan \n708 \n5 \nSam Ellis \nLBH \nHarlequin \n664 \n3 \nJenna Pollard \nLBH \nViper \n602 \n2 \nCompound Limited \n2 \nClub \nScore \nSpots \nGents \nRichard Pollard \nGCL \nViper \n788 \n10 \nLadies \nTrish Gramauskas \nLCL \nRedoubtables \n640 \n1 \nFreestyle \n4 \nClub \nScore \nSpots \nGents \nSimon Cowans \nGFS \nDerwynd \n720 \n8 \nMike Watson \nGFS \nTeam Firebird \n604 \n5 \nBarry Tait \nGFS \nIndependent \n490 \n0 \nLadies \nKelly Tait-Nicholson \nLFS \nIndependent \n316 \n1 \nHunting Tackle \n20 \nClub \nScore \nSpots \nGents \nPaul Warnes \nGHT \nWyre Hall \n672 \n3 \nMichael Grimes \nGHT \nRangers of the North \n640 \n2 \nChris Moon \nGHT \nRobin Hood LB \n636 \n3 \nLewis Chuck \nGHT \nDuvelle \n592 \n3 \nRussell Hannan \nGHT \nCobra \n578 \n0 \nPeter Whieldon \nGHT \nLEFA \n568 \n0 \nJohn Cottrell \nGHT \nDuvelle \n550 \n2 \nRodger Dodman \nGHT \nKings Clipstone \n548 \n2 \nLeslie Headley \nGHT \nRegents \n530 \n1 \nMark Leek \nGHT \nCobra \n516 \n3 \nNigel Bratton \nGHT \nToft Hill \n496 \n1 \nAndy Brooksbank \nGHT \nPhoenix FAC \n488 \n2 \nAlan McDonald \nGHT \nViper \n468 \n1 \nLadies \nNatasha Bowen \nLHT \nWild Geese \n508 \n1 \nAlison MacRory \nLHT \nBrockwood Bowmen \n488 \n2 \nCarole Dodman \nLHT \nKings Clipstone FAC \n458 \n2 \nChrissie Bratton \nLHT \nToft Hill \n428 \n0 \nKaren Hibbs \nLHT \nBlack Swan \n402 \n0 \n15 ","Hunting Tackle \n20 \nClub \nScore \nSpots \nUnders \nAva Grieveson-Chuck \nU12HT \nDuvelle \n460 \n1 \nApril Leek \nU12HT \nCobra \n332 \n0 \nLongbow \n14 \nClub \nScore \nSpots \nGents \nKen Adams \nGLB \nDuvelle \n660 \n4 \nAndy Bailey \nGLB \nRow Brow \n654 \n5 \nDave Wood \nGLB \nRobin Hood LB \n580 \n3 \nRichard Waters \nGLB \nIndependent \n552 \n3 \nJohn Richardson \nGLB \nDuvelle \n540 \n2 \nPhil Hiatt \nGLB \nAlbion \n523 \n6 \nGraham Baker \nGLB \nRobin Hood LB \n494 \n1 \nStewart Aitkinson \nGLB \nIndependent \n448 \n0 \nMartyn Leek \nGLB \nCobra \n434 \n1 \nStephen Collinson \nGLB \nWolfshead \n394 \n1 \nLadies \nMary Hannan \nLLB \nCobra \n506 \n1 \nSue Fenyn \nLLB \nKings Clipstone FAC \n506 \n0 \nElenore Cottrell \nLLB \nDuvelle \n442 \n0 \nWendy Young \nLLB \nRobin Hood LB \n432 \n0 \nPrimitive \n4 \nClub \nScore \nSpots \nGents \nPat Morrow \nGPV \nBlack Swan \n564 \n2 \nJonathan Taylor \nGPV \nViper \n516 \n1 \nGrot \nGPV \nIndependent \n440 \n2 \nLadies \nClare Akeroyd \nLPV \nMuttley Crew \n460 \n1 \nTraditional Bowhunter 23 \nClub \nScore \nSpots \nGents \nTony Morrell \nGTBH \nRangers of the North \n728 \n7 \nMarek Pawlik \nGTBH \nDW Longbow \n720 \n6 \nPaul Caddick \nGTBH \nDuvelle \n716 \n7 \nRichard Pollard \nGTBH \nRow Brow \n706 \n4 \nEd Kovac \nGTBH \nForest Bowmen \n688 \n7 \nMichael Kirkman \nGTBH \nOwlett Hall \n668 \n4 \nGraham Coulson \nGTBH \nButsfield \n664 \n4 \nMike Bollands \nGTBH \nWolfshead \n652 \n5 \nSimon Burgon \nGTBH \nWyre Hall \n626 \n5 \nTim Downing \nGTBH \nRow Brow \n624 \n2 \nRyan Lee \nGTBH \nRangers of the North \n600 \n4 \nBilly Wilding \nGTBH \nRegents \n594 \n2 \nBrian Acton \nGTBH \nIndependent \n590 \n2 \nDavid Bentley \nGTBH \nRiggwelter \n588 \n1 \nTim Moran \nGTBH \nRegents \n540 \n0 \nMatt Bowley \nGTBH \nBlack Swan \n532 \n1 \nNick Henderson \nGTBH \nWild Geese \n508 \n1 \nSteven Bowers \nGTBH \nWyre Hall \n500 \n2 \n16 ","Traditional Bowhunter 23 \nClub \nScore \nSpots \nLadies \nLynne Harrison \nLTBH \nDuvelle \n646 \n2 \nSarah Dixon \nLTBH \nRegents \n574 \n2 \nLinda Crossley \nLTBH \nForest Bowmen \n506 \n1 \nMellissa Cooper \nLTBH \nRegents \n482 \n2 \nKathy Boyer \nLTBH \nRiggwelter \n416 \n0 \nThumb Draw \n1 \nClub \nScore \nSpots \nGents \nJayendra Shankar \nGTD \nMuttley Crew \n528 \n0 \nUnlimited \n13 \nClub \nScore \nSpots \nGents \nLee Gardeki \nGUL \nHarlequin \n932 \n29 \nDave Greenbank \nGUL \nRangers of the North \n930 \n30 \nAlan Lawson \nGUL \nLEFA \n920 \n27 \nHayden Bannister \nGUL \nHarlequin \n886 \n25 \nPaul Weddell \nGUL \nLEFA \n850 \n20 \nDavid Blount \nGUL \nPines Park \n832 \n17 \nPaul Stoner \nGUL \nRiggwelter \n828 \n14 \nJason Beckett \nGUL \nTeam Firebird \n824 \n12 \nGraham Lord \nGUL \nTeam Firebird \n806 \n11 \nEric Hawrot \nGUL \nWyre Hall \n752 \n3 \nJames Brunton \nGUL \nStonebow \n706 \n5 \nLawrence Nicholson \nGUL \nIndependent \n694 \n4 \nUnders \nJacob Hutton \nU12UL \nRiggwelter \n624 \n1 \nCrossbow \n7 \nClub \nScore \nSpots \nGents \nMark Duerden \nGXB \nTeam Firebird \n928 \n31 \nJosh Earith \nGXB \nCentaura \n904 \n24 \nRichard Hollis \nGXB \nCentaura \n846 \n17 \nMark Harrison \nGXB \nFirebird \n834 \n15 \nJohn Slater \nGXB \nTeam Firebird \n786 \n13 \nLadies \nRaynor Pepper \nLXB \nTeam Firebird \n822 \n16 \nIsobel Feather \nLXB \nFirebird \n780 \n12 \nNON COMP \n4 \nClub \nRod Jaques \nNonComp \nStorm \nLana Waters \nNonComp \nIndependent \nJoolz Caddick \nNonComp \nDuvelle \nMark Tarbuck \nWalker \nRobin Hood LB \n17 ","18 ","www.mandarinduck.net \nwww.mandarinduck.net","Did you know that if you would like to show your appreciation and \nsupport for FAN UK and what Hels is doing (and to enable her to \nkeep the magazine free for everyone) you can \nDONATE \n? \nYou may or may not know that \"Field Archery News UK\" online \nmagazine is researched, edited and produced by just one person \nwhose aim has always been and still is to bring field archery in all \nits forms (alongside other forms of archery) and all associations & \nsocieties together in one place to celebrate, promote and share our \nwonderful sport with archers, clubs and enthusiasts across the UK \nand worldwide. \nAny sum to keep the magazine going would be greatly appreciated - thank you \n:-) \nTo Donate just visit \nhttps:\/\/www.paypal.me\/FANUKHels \nhttps:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FieldArcheryNewsUK\/ \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/NewsukField \nhttps:\/\/www.instagram.com\/fieldarcherynewsuk\/ \n20 ","www.thearcherycompany.com ","22 \nThe Bodnik Bowhunter Challenge and the UK \u2013 \nThe Second Date \nby Paul Chittenden. \nI've been asked to write a few words again, in the form of another report to cover the 2nd Bodnik \nBowhunter Challenge in the UK. I hope to capture the essence of such an event and do so in a way \nthat rings true and fair to the participants, organisers and the observers. I apologise in advance if I \nfail to rekindle the magic that was sparkled throughout the event. For this year's report I'll focus on \nchanges from last year and elements I missed last time. \nThe anticipation of the second date was building by early June, helped by 3 NFAS clubs embracing \nand experimenting with their take on the style to comply with NFAS's structure and more \nimportantly their own archery communities (Bridgewoods, Cloth of Gold and Brixham). However, \nthis was the unique one, the big meet, and the focus of a year's work by Phil Marr and large team. \nWith the privilege of an artistic freedom gained by privately insuring the event, communities of \nlikeminded individuals had the space to innovate, play and challenge perceptions. Fostering an \nArchery Community is key to the organisers with an understanding way in advance of what is to \nbe expected, consequently our hosts Senlac Field Bowmen operated the shoot as an \n\"invitational event\" - not may I say as a form of elitism, but rather because it isn't going to please \neveryone, it doesn\u2019t run to a common \ndenominator to please all (you can find \nthe worrywarts online). \n\ud83d\ude09 \nThis was the \"2nd date\" with Henry \nBodnik travelling to England and would \nthe love affair blossom into something \nserious or perhaps fizzle out? Indeed, \nwas the \"First Date\" as good as we \ncould remember or were we over \nexcited like a na\u00efve teenager at the \nmemory of the glorious yet tentative \ninitial encounter? In advance and \nclearly for something to do, the English \nPhoto credit: \nPaul Chittenden ","23 \n \n \n \nparticipants fretted about their wardrobe, perhaps even more than during a spring sale of \nunnecessary winter gear in a store like \"Blacks\". Someone decided that Hawaiian shirts were sure \nto impress the chap from Germany. Then, the angst after someone had told him, with the fear of \n\"Will we be ghosted? \" or worse \"Will I be the only plonker?!\" The joy when he embraced their \nEnglish oddity and proclaimed proudly to the world, \" I too have a Hawaiian \nshirt\". This advance build up resulted in an unusual sight greeting any \ncasual observer as over 150 keen, eager Archers dressed in multicoloured \nHawaiian shirts, including an original 1990's ( Bryan W ) and a magnificent \nSamba Shirt ( Andy P ) mustering in front of Henry Bodnik on Saturday \nmorning, in the stunning glorious private estate in East Sussex. The price to \ndress like a wally were even more funds for Charity \n\u201cWalking with the \nWounded\u201d \nand a chance to win a Golden Ticket to the 2024 event on the \n13th & 14th July (total raised \u00a31,200). \nDrawn from a multitude of archery societies and nations, we were the invited guests of Senlac \nField Bowmen, drawn to explore and ideally embrace the style of archery known as a \"Bodnik \nBowhunter Challenge\" set by Mr Henry Bodnik himself, within the grounds and home of the \nextremely kind and generous Gilly and Clive. All the involved parties, the Archers, the organisers, \nthe marshals, the catering team, seemed to be equal partners and a festival atmosphere prevailed \nyet again. Gilly and Clive were greeted with the greatest of respect for once again allowing us to \ninhabit their paradise, in return for supporting \n\"Walking with the Wounded\" \n with our camping \nfees. Gilly and Clive are integral to the successful atmosphere of the event and will be found in and \naround the event, and over the whole weekend will be fielding questions about their home, the \nvalley and wider glorious region, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty in the High weald \nof Sussex or in return enquiring about what we are attempting to achieve with our shooting. \nHenry Bodnik was - of course - everywhere, opening and closing the event, joining in the shooting, \nor guiding the archers, praising our impromptu \narchery yoga and even ad-hoc coaching individuals. \nIndeed, he spotted one relatively new archer out on \nSaturday's course and had a new better string ready \nfor their return. He fitted it to the bow and gave a \ncoaching session on the butts in the evening, just \nextraordinary really. \nPhoto credit: \nHenrick Weyer \nPhoto credit: Peter Morgan ","24 \nThe Bodnik Bowhunter Challenge UK is a series of events really. A 40 target, double arrow shoot \non the Saturday, an optional Saturday evening competition with a bespoke shrew bow as a prize \nsponsored by the delightful Freda and Sylvia Marshall, a second harder 40 one arrow shoot on \nSunday, followed by Grand Finale of the class winners on the Sunday Afternoon, where winners \nrun 100 yards and speed shot a balloon off an uphill 3D in continuing elimination rounds, \nthen awards of the Nations winners, class winners and then a ridiculously generous raffle table, \nincluding bows, targets and accessories. The final ticket winning a Bodnik \nBow. It is noteworthy that there are limited Panda\u2019s (Eats, Shoots and Leaves \n- pic right!) and avoids that awkward role call at the end of the event of \nempty winners. I believe it\u2019s mooted that winners that scarper off, not only \nmiss the festival but will miss the Archers\u2019 Jewellery bling. \nThe Sunday prior to the event Phil and field crew move \nto the event and start setting up, and I think they have a bit of a party to be \nhonest and Henry arrives on the Wednesday and a course of 40 pegs are laid. \nCampers arrive Friday, with secluded spots dotted around the woodland \nand different community areas start to evolve... some hammocks can be \nspotted camouflaged in isolated tranquillity in the woods, whilst other small \nencampments grow around the course paths proving to be handy spots to \ngrab a sugared sweet if you happen to have one of the campers in your \ngroup. \nBreakfast is available for the campers and on Saturday morning the rest of 3D \nhunters arrive, like eager ants meandering down the forest road to a pot of sugar. Parking was \ngreatly improved this year, with both sides of the valley used to great effect. \nIt\u2019s a beautiful trek down to the start zone, soaking up the pine forest and sights and smells of the \nlakes. The energy builds and some abuse is hollered to those campers staggering back from the \nshower and toilets, eggy bun in hand. A quick nod hello to Phil, who seems a little manic at this \nstage, with his legs in shorts and lacerated by a week of brambles and bugs. It's a sight that wakes \none up to be honest after a comfy drive, the more damage he has is a bell weather on the technical \nchallenges ahead, so all is good. \nThis year a special sweepstake was arranged on the likely score for Steve Joy, the Honorary \nPresident and one of the founders of Senlac, who like the NFAS celebrated 50 years of the club. \nSteve's a local archery legend and has inspired many regional archers. We paid \u00a35 to guess a score \nArchers that eat, shoot \nand leave (pandas). \nWinners\u2019 Bling by \nArchers\u2019 Jewellery. "," \n \n \n25 \nwith funds going to the event's charity, the prize was a hand-crafted leather \nbelt, made by Steve a wonderful craftsman. \nThe course was split into a loop of 9 targets and a loop of 31 targets. We \nstarted out on our 2nd loop expedition at 11am, after raiding the catering \ntable of snacks, cakes and fruit, before returning for lunch at 4-ish. Your \nclambering up and down gullies, over trees and scrambling around in a \nproper adventure so its best to be prepared. Water stations are available \non the course, climbing ropes on tricky parts, take your time and absorb \nthe atmosphere and location. \nBinoculars were even more prevalent at this year's shoot, with a few Class 1 & 2 jolly refuseniks \nannoyingly doing damn well without one (and in some cases winning - I'm looking at you IRON). \nWith the abundance of these opticals the freedom they provided seemed to foster even more \ncommunity cohesion and discussion. This was coupled with Henry wandering around, offering \npraise and comments to participants as they shot. Moreover, spectators had something to see and \nlaugh at when the inevitable bunching occurred. All of these factors combined to create a friendlier \nand more collaborative atmosphere. You are spending 2 days, seeing people bend and stretch and \nplace themselves in some cases far out of their comfort zone; and you just can\u2019t help nattering \nand bantering about the whole process. You praise each other for shots well made or challenges \novercome, or you say silent prayers because your hip or knees made the climb out of a gully \nrelatively OK, with most of your dignity intact. \nEven at 15-30 yards, there were shadows across kill zones, and the scoring system necessitates you \nknowing exactly where the kill is ( 10 points for a kill, -2 for a hit or 20 for a kill and -5 for a kill on \nthe Sunday). As a less travelled archer I\u2019m often frustrated when meeting a 3D target for the first \ntime, with no idea or knowledge of where the objective is - Binos were an equaliser. The counter \nargument that Binos lesser the archers skill is perhaps a bit nonsensical, one might argue that at \nworse it's protectionism to say one should learn the targets zones and could just be an excuse to \nkeep a few points ahead of the new \narchers. \nLet's be honest, we've all been there \nwhen the sun parts from the cloud \nand illuminates the kill like a beacon, \nsmugly smiling to ourselves as the \nPhoto credit: \nPhil Marr \nPhoto credit: Peter Humphrey ","26 \nnext cloud drifts over, if there's a 4 point spread ( 20 vs 16 ) it makes little difference, but with 15 \nor 25 point spread your chances must be equal. Could it be abused? Yeah sure, with range finding \nbinos thingies or \"focus\" tricks BUT we would soon know who they are and at an invitational shoot \nthey risk exclusion or, at worst, community ridicule. A sport undertaken by all ages, Binos can be \nlike Heineken Beer for the ocularly-challenged refresh one's sight that other glasses cannot reach, \n\"Is that black blob a Bear or a wolf?\", more so with rare sunken targets, the kill zone visual is \ndisturbed by previous arrow ripples, rain droplets, surface wind and the sparkling light of the water \nsurface. Shooting second meant I could see through the binos that the tip of Andy Doyle\u2019s 2nd \narrow was likely in the Kill on the Saturday and yet the angle of refraction on the second arrow, \nmeant one had to shoot a significant distance \u201cin front\u201d of the target, to get the required depth. \nWithout binos that lesson would not have been learnt, as one\u2019s arrow would have sailed over or \nunder, like a darting trout. I double tapped the kill because I used Binos, and this proved a timely \nlesson, for the return to the pond on the Sunday's 1 arrow shoot, as Si Rivers and Stephen Moss \nseemed to me uncharacteristically loiter towards the back exploring the flora rather intently, \nwhilst Roger Massey and Ian Nuttal, took a well-rehearsed synchronised step back, like dedicated \nline dancers, leaving me exposed at the front and having to channel my inner \"Doyle\" without \na guiding arrow. \nPhoto credit: \nPaul Chittenden "," \n \n \n \n27 \nSeeing and thus knowing where to shoot, doesn\u2019t take any skill away in executing the actual shot \nand the targets were clearly designed to disrupt those who shoot \u201cwith a system\u201d in the words of \nHenry \" a few of you still aiming over the point, closing one eye and because it's \"Gap Shooting\" \nand \"System Shooting\". This year we better understood Henry's objectives, this understanding is \nhelped by the excellent muster speech he gives each year ( which can be found recorded on Peter \nHumphrey's YouTube channel). It seems to me that Henry's game is to partly disrupt those that \nsolely employ a Gap Shooting or System Systems by placing us far out of our comfort zone, making \nus stretch, lean, and undertake technical shots, perhaps better highlighted by the excellent photos \non offer. \nAbundance of technical shots: \nas the day builds, your confidence increases and people pull off \nsome ridiculously wonderful shots through windows and gaps that exist should you stop to look. \nLast year I realised that Henry always leaves you a way to achieve the Kill, \nyou just have to look and perhaps break your vertical systems and shoot a \nlittle more instinctively. The routes to the Kill are there, and you start to \nlearn his rhythm, and you can soon start dancing to it provided \nyou listen for the beat, despite my first arrows of both days \nexploding in Smithereens. \u201cThe Tree Stump with Fox\u201d is a chance \nto show the uniqueness of the targets at the events. If you spy \nthrough the rotten tree stump you will see the Fox sheltering \nbehind, with the distance obscured by bracken... you draw and \nloose with hope. You later ascertain that the stump is a creation of Phil's \nartistry and is made of soft materials and wonder if would you have been \nbraver, did you shoot low to get through but not high enough for the fox? \nNothing underscores the instinctive nature of the event quite like the sight of two ducks tethered \nby a cord, floating on the lake. These two ducks dance to the rhythm of the wind, akin to tipsy \nAunties at a family wedding trying to perform the Conga. This natural course choke and chat \nspot becomes a focal point as onlookers gather in a semi-circle, eagerly observing each attempt \nat hitting the ducks \u2013 one arrow for each bird. \nThe distance is such that some arrows skip the water's \nsurface like skipping stones, while others descend with \na pronounced 'plonk,' vanishing beneath the water with a \npause before returning like a long-lost friend. \nPhoto credit: \nBjoern Obschinsky ","28 \nGeorge Birt's picture on the left shows the steepness of this uphill shot \non a quartered Racoon. \nOn the right in this wooded setting, a target Rabbit is \nsituated between two trees at a very short distance, \nreminiscent of a scene one might encounter during a \nforest walk. The trees serve as an effective barrier, testing the archer's \nunderstanding of how much room the arrow requires to straighten out properly. \nWhether shooting in front of or behind the peg, those using wooden arrows must \ntime their shots to account for the arrow's wobble (a challenge not faced by those \nin class 3). While some succeed in navigating this complex obstacle, others - like the \nauthor - found themselves failing, turning arrows into \"confetti\" instead of hitting \nthe mark. \nThe challenge is a competition, it is a game, and it is wonderful fun. Those that \nquery from afar that the shots on offer are \"not real hunting scenarios\", and one \nwouldn't take such \"risky\" shots in a real environment \u2026 doh well, of course not! \nWho wants to sit around all day and take one shot if they are lucky? \n\ud83d\ude09 \nThis was glorious fun as intended. \nWhat you start to do in my opinion is build a \nrepertoire of shots and positions that you can \nbe effective at, akin to a martial artist learning \ndifferent forms or stances. \nYou learn your bow and its capabilities and \nyou develop your confidence, its trajectory and \nwhen the arrow oscillation lessens. \nPhoto credit: George Birt \nPhoto credit: \nBjarne H\u00f6glund \nJamieson \nPhoto credit: Maddie Hammond \nPhoto credit: Paul Chittenden "," \n29 \nThen there are some archers who have such flexibility and \ncan turn a such a steep downhill shot onto quartered and \nobscured Rats into a flatter trajectory by impersonating \nMrs Incredible\/Elastigirl\u2026 \nor then there are others such as David who \nclearly liken themselves to Snipers\u2026 \nThe Scoring System is oft debated online, it goes thus, Saturday 2 arrows, 10 points for a Kill, -2 for \na body hit and zero for a miss, then Sunday 1 arrow with 20 for a Kill and -5 for a body hit, with \nzero for a miss. The majority of the participants shoots within NFAS, where the variables between \na Kill Zone and Body Zone is just 4 points ( 20-16, vs 14-10, vs 8-4) so to enjoy a variable of 12 \npoints on a Saturday (10 vs -2) , and 25 on a Sunday ( 20 vs -5 ) takes some getting used too. \nAs a data nerd, it is obviously hard to know where you fit in the results when compared to others, \nand I\u2019ve read the grumbles online in this regard so I found Henry\u2019s muster speech very interesting \nand illuminating and the penny finally dropped for me this year\u2026 \n\u201cThere where is the vital (kill zone)\u2026 \nyou will get the \nhigh \n score. If you \nhurt \nthe animal, you will get the \nminus \n\u201d. \nIt is a competition but it\u2019s roots and \nheritage are in the hunting fraternity. \nThere is a price for an unkind shot, so \nwhat about the 0 for a miss? \n \u201c\u2026.and if you miss the animal, \nyou know what happened? Then \nyou missed \nnothing \n, so you will \nearn \nnothing \n\u201d. \nPhoto credit: Mark Anthony \nPhoto credit: \nFreda Marshall \nPhoto credit: Paul Chittenden ","30 \nFor the UK event Phil and Henry added a local rule, you refuse to take a shot, you score a \nIF \nminus \n5 on the Saturday and minus 7 on the Sunday \n. I like and respect this, a team has spent ages \nputting their heart and soul into an event, so take part, have a go ya grump, it doesn\u2019t matter if \nyou miss \n\ud83d\ude09 \n it\u2019s a game. The strategists amongst us immediately deduce that a few tactical misses \nmight help the old score ranking and of course that is true BUT when do we actually get shots \nthat push our knowledge of our body, our stance and form? So of course, you find yourself \nexperimenting with novel stances, such as Ian\u2019s attempt at replicating a Greek statue to go to the \nright side of the tree. Do we follow his example (with perhaps less grace ) or do we lean far to the \nleft on the back foot to slip past the left hand side? \nOn one shot I balanced on one foot, \nwith my toe on the peg, and scored -4. \nPeter adopted the idea and double \ntapped... someone else spotted the \nbetter way through dammit! \nSo what about the tactical misses? \nWell, apart from jolly and good-natured \nbantering about it and micky-taking \nwhen someone\u2019s arrow is bouncing \nback off the body or skims the top into \nthe dirt, the event rule is - if it\u2019s done on \npurpose the first time you are warned \nand subsequently you will be banned. \nThis is an event for like-minded people and it is oversubscribed, it\u2019s for those that have a shared \ninterest in this style and pushing their boundaries, with the targets often though tight windows. To \npurposefully miss, you\u2019ve got to be obviously not going for it. Often if you\u2019re through the gap you \nare in the body or in the Kill so it\u2019s clear when you don\u2019t shoot with conviction \nand aim outside or wide of the challenge. Because \u201cmisses\u201d are scored as a \nzero it makes it impossible to compare your performance within competition, \nthe Archer above or below you may have hit more but killed less or missed \nmore etc... the coach within me seeks to delve deeper and progress, \nparticularly in a style we get to explore only a few times annually. In the \ncontext of NFAS, we can analyse the average scores for different targets. \nPhoto credit: Paul Chittenden \nOptions: Tree, Hit, \nKill or Cheat... ","31 \n \n \n \nFor example, an archer using an off-the-hand Longbow might achieve an average score of 15.5 \n(barely missing a 1st arrow body hit), while someone employing a shelved American Flat Bow may \naverage 16.5 (slightly surpassing a 1st arrow body hit). \nOne could look at one own percentages, and in doing so learn a lot more about your current skill \nlevel, with corresponding confidence at a NFAS shoot. For example, I had a 78% hit rate on \nSaturday and 80% on Sunday. With odds in my favour within 30 yards I can chill and loose the \narrow, yet would that translate into confidence in hunting? With a known 43-46% kill ratio (of all \narrows) it\u2019s a bit of a coin flip to be honest, so no you perhaps wouldn\u2019t take the shot using \nthese stances and would wait for the clearer shot. Hang on it\u2019s a damn competition, so I know I\u2019ll \nprobably hit it, and c40% it\u2019s a kill. Therefore, I can focus on how I\u2019ll do it, and not worry if I can do \nit. \nBecause I am a nerd, in an ideal world I\u2019d like to see the UK Challenge \npublish the number of hits and the number of kills for each participant \n(or perhaps the top 10 per class), as I\u2019ve seen them do sometimes \nin the European versions. I\u2019d like to know how \nefficient people are and understand the skill gap \nto focus on. In historic archery systems, archers \ncouldn\u2019t progress until they had spent a sufficient \nperiod of time on the butts to build strength or carry pales of water to build \ncore arm strength, or shoot in front of a blank bale to develop form for a year. \nI\u2019m sure in successful hunting communities a senior will not allow a junior to \njoin the hunt until they can achieve certain accuracy levels, so this information shouldn\u2019t take \nthe joy from the randomness of the ranking, but rather illustrate just how accurate you can be \ninstinctively, through such a challenging course. \nI know the winners are great archers, I just don\u2019t know \u201chow\u201d good they are\u2026 just \u201c \nbetter \n\u201d. \nBen Edwards, is already the speediest spreadsheet in Sussex and a case study of great event \nadministration, so I appreciate this is more work yet I think it\u2019s valid and would offer insightful \ninformation as people train more and more for this style. I don\u2019t think it would rob the joy or \nspirit of the event and is less about chasing the tin but more about \nunderstanding and respecting your challenges. \nOn the subject of \u201cClasses\u201d, the event is split simply into three classes of \narrow: Class 1 - wooden arrows off the hand; Class 2 - Wooden arrows off a \nPhoto credit: Paul Chittenden \nPhoto credit: \nPaul Chittenden ","32 \nshelf and Class 3: Carbon arrows off the shelf and it works really well. Within a class, you might \nfind a Primitive vs an English Longbow (Class 1) within Class 2, you might find a simple American \nFlatbow Hill style against a metal \u201cHunting Tackle\u201d bow which may cause loud vocal objections \nonline, albeit from those not actually participating in the event \n\ud83d\ude09 \n, the \u201cWhataboutme\u2019s\u201d. Are \nthese classes \u201cfair\u201d? Certainly not at \u201cBig Game\u201d distances when you can see the impact of \ndifferent bow classes on scores to the right. But within 30 yards bring it on baby! Two similarly \ngeared archers will approach each challenge differently, one may kneel for flatter trajectory, \nanother may lean forward and wide. It was fascinating shooting in different groups and seeing \nhow we approach targets - we would copy or adapt or do our own thing. \nTypically in Big Game one rarely needs to consider the arrow trajectory but in this Bowhunter \nchallenge one of the smug joys was watching the group bend, contort, groan, crack and pop on \na peg that happened to match my trajectory and step up and loose instinctively though a gap in \nthe branches into the Kill from a leisurely traditional vertical stance. \nThe Food deserves praise, with such variety including the archer\u2019s \nstaples of cake, coke and biscuits but nestled amongst the fare \nwere options more suitable for a healthy luncheon, including \nQuiche and Salad, Wraps & Fruit. Nikki Marr - a Runner in addition \nto an Archer - clearly having an impact. Those who didn\u2019t want to \nrisk the green stuff, were treated by the Hawaiian Burger or an even bigger Senlac \nDragon Burger. \nHow could I have overlooked the heart of this event? The field archery community is a treasure \nwe sometimes take for granted. Fuelled by the generosity of countless individuals, we've become \naccustomed to the joy and camaraderie that characterise our sport. May this continue for years \nto come, allowing us to explore delightful landscapes, connect with like-minded enthusiasts and \nexperiment alongside encouraging archers. \nWe're a motley crew, pushing our boundaries \nwith creative curiosity, whether we're donned in \nHawaiian shirts or attempting balletic stances with \nour bows. \nIt's more than just competition; it's a shared journey \nof discovery, friendship and unending growth. \nPhoto credit: \nHendrik Weyer \nPhoto credit: \nPaul Chittenden \nPhoto credit: \nPaul Chittenden ","33 \n avid J, Peter &Joyce M, Andy & Carolyn N, Si & Jane Rivers, Niki's Mum Holly, Will & Fleur, Claire \n \n \n \n \n \n \nNone of this would be possible without the tireless efforts of the organisers, whose vision and \ndedication craft the stage upon which we all play; including by not limited too Senlac Members \n\u201cDan W, Tony F, Tony B, Andy C, Roger M, Graeme W, Phil J, Alesi P, Steve J, Paul M, Dave M, Jim \nde M, Ray R, Ben E, the Obschinsky family, Niki M, and Ge M and friends and family such as Glen B, \nD \nE, Sharon & Rosie, Andy B, Rob W, Ian N\u201d. \nTheir intricate planning, creativity, and passion infuse the event with a spirit of challenge and \ncamaraderie, making each gathering a unique and enriching experience. Phil calls it our \n\u201cTraditional Archery Family\u201d. We trust that Henry and the cadre of overseas guests have been \nmade to feel welcome, in our small corner of the Garden of England. \nWritten by Paul Chittenden, \nmember of Bridgewoods Field Archery (NFAS), \nWest Kent Archery Society (BLBS) and \nan Honorary member of The Medieval Society \nBowmen (Independent), an NFAS coach and \nbog average shot in percentage terms. \nSponsors: Henry Bodnik and Bodnik Bows, Longlife 3d targets, Archers\u2019 Jewellery, \nSenlac Field Bowmen and Freda & Sylvia Marshall. \nSponsors for raffle\/tombola: Henry Bodnik and Bodnik bows, Merlin, Longlife 3d targets, Archers\u2019 Jewellery, Ian Nuttall, \nRob Williams, Andy Neville, Joyce Morgan, Helmuth Poto, Dals Archery and Graeme Wilmshurst. \n ","www.shirearchery.co.uk","www.facebook.com\/dwdlaser","Photographer: \nPhotographer: \nPhotographer: \nMark Service \nMark Service \nMark Service \n36 ","www.etsy.com\/uk\/shop\/archersjewellery","Regent Archers Open Club Shoot \n16 July 2023 Report \nth \nRegent Archers would like to thank everyone who attended our July shoot. \nGiven the weather forecast and busy time of year we were unsure just how many archers we would \nhave but we weren\u2019t let down with 91 shooting the course. Despite the weather forecast, we were \ngreeted with a lovely summer\u2019s day with very little wind and no rain. \nOur July shoot had 40 pegs, all 3Ds, laid out at a challenging range of distances with several multi \nshots. As a club we are always investing in new 3Ds for club shoots and members to use. During this \nshoot we had 11 new 3Ds out for the first time, with the majority of our other 3Ds only being used a \nfew times before. It\u2019s always so nice to receive positive comments from archers with regards to our \ntargets, the quality of them and layout of the course. \nThe shoot ran as smoothly as it could have done. All archers were in place and ready to start just \nafter 10am and the last group of archers finishing about 3pm, giving us plenty of time for our raffle \nand presentation. Because of the terrain of our course (mainly flat and not too hilly) all archers were \nable to complete the shoot and post a score. \nDuring the day, our member run catering team were kept constantly busy serving a great selection \nof hot sandwiches, drinks and quite possibly our biggest selection of home-made cakes ever! \nThanks to all the members who helped out before, during and after the shoot... without these \nmembers open shoots could not happen and it was great to have so many members volunteer their \n38 "," \ntime and make the shoot run smoothly. \nRegent archers would like to thank everyone again who attended our shoot. We hope you all \nenjoyed it and look forward to seeing you all again soon. Unfortunately, we are unlikely to run our \nJanuary shoot next year but we will hopefully still run two shoots in 2024 with the dates and further \ndetails to follow shortly. \nThanks, Steve Dixon. \n39 ","30 \nAmerican Flat Bow Men\u2019s \nAmerican Flat Bow Ladies \nRoly Bee \nPhoenix \n642 \nVerity Mills \nWyre Hall \n508 \nGrant Kerr Wild Geese \n612 \nRachel Kenny \nCobra \n372 \nColin Hall \nViper \n564 \nJosie Allen \nIndependent \n250 \nBrian Ford \nWyre Hall \n556 \nKeith Morris \nRow Brow \n506 \nAmerican Flat Bow Juniors Under 9 Boys \nMichael Brooksbank Phoenix \n430 \nEwan McLean \nRow Brow \n410 \nLewis Shorttle \nRangers of the North 428 \nNeil Illingworth \nCobra \n422 \nBarebow Ladies \nSean Wilson Brockwood \n414 \nWendy Hewkin \nDearne Valley \n524 \nNicky Sterry \nBrockwood \n476 \nBarebow Men\u2019s \nRachel Winspear \nViper \n408 \nChris Haddon Viper \n736 \nGeoff Smith Viper \n724 \nBowhunter Men\u2019s \nRobert Hall \nRangers of the North 672 \nRussell Hannan \nCobra \n486 \nJonathan Taylor Viper \n664 \nJim Shaw \nIndependent \n632 \nCompound Unlimited Men\u2019s \nJordan McGrath \nRangers of the North 628 \nDave Greenbank \nViper \n884 \nNeil McKenna Row Brow \n438 \nRyan Mills \nBroadland Bowmen \n836 \nRich Dalton Row Brow \n430 \nJames Stathers \nIndependent \n834 \nBrian Allen Independent \n398 \nTrevor North \nPines Park \n740 \nColin Greenway \nRow Brow \n376 \nAdam Brown Independent \n330 \nCompound Unlimited Ladies \nBruce McKenna Row Brow \n308 \nLucy Webley-Pitt Rangers of North \n664 \nHunting Tackle Ladies \nHunting Tackle Under 12 Girls \nHeather Jefferson \nViper \n526 \nApril Leek \nCobra \n326 \nAlison MacRory \nBrockwood \n496 \nSarah Leek \nCobra \n468 \nHunting Tackle Under 14 Boys \nRuth Hanlon \nCobra \n336 \nCharlie Watson \nPhoenix \n430 \n4 0","41 \nHunting Tackle Men\u2019s \nFreestyle Men\u2019s \nMark Johnson \nPhoenix \n580 \nDean Wolfenden \nDearne Valley \n664 \nDave Wallace \nViper \n574 \nPeter Wagstaff \nDearne Valley \n424 \nMartin Hume \nIndependent \n554 \nMichael Grimes Rangers of the North 548 \nAlan McDonald \nViper \n536 \nGeoff Eccleshall \nViper \n522 \nLawrie Hogan \nWyre Hall \n516 \nBruce Walton \nBrockwood \n442 \nMark Leek \nCobra \n440 \nDave Blewitt \nViper \n436 \nAndy Brooksbank \nPhoenix \n424 \nMark Mawson \nWyre Hall \n414 \nGraham Thorpe \nIndependent \n362 \nLongbow Men\u2019s \nAndy Bailey \nRow Brow \n606 \nDavid Wylde \nPines Park \n586 \nDave Pedley \nPhoenix \n578 \nKen Adams \nKings Clipstone \n558 \nRoger Ayton \nWolfshead \n512 \nMark Allen \nIndependent \n472 \nNeil Hopkins \nWild Geese \n464 \nJon Richardson \nIndependent \n460 \nStewart Atkinson \nIndependent \n384 \nJeff Holmes \nDearne Valley \n346 \nPhil Hiatt \nAlbion \n336 \nMartyn Leek \nCobra \n300 ","30 \nTraditional Bow Hunter Men\u2019s \nHunting Tackle Ladies \nJohn Hall \nCobra \n692 \nMary Hannan \nCobra \n496 \nMark Hodgson \nViper \n652 \nMike Bollands \nWolfshead \n638 \nTraditional Bow Hunter Ladies \nTony Morrell \nRangers of the North 632 \nJulie Hodgson \nViper \n570 \nMark Durance \nWild Geese \n630 \nErica Williams \nDearne Valley \n524 \nTim Downing \nRow Brow \n608 \nRichard Pollitt \nRow Brow \n602 \nRyan Lee \nRangers of the North 578 \nMatt Lilleker \nDearne Valley \n576 \nDan Morris \nRow Brow \n542 \nDavid Sankey \nDearne Valley \n468 \nDonal Hogan \nWyre Hall \n424 \nRob Southall \nIndependent \n418 \n3 4 \n2 2","43 "," ","www.clickersarchery.co.uk","46 \nTHE MEDIEVAL SOCIETY\u2019S \n2023 Colchester Oyster Fayre shoot \nby OH Boyd - Medieval Society Hon. Member \n& Woodcarver to the Palace. \nThis year\u2019s shoot was very well attended despite it being FA Cup \nday on the Saturday, the public were much in evidence, the \ndemonstrations were numerous and everyone was enjoyably \nentertained. The event was well attended by specialist traders \nand my particular favourite, the Oysterman. \nArriving early on Friday after a full breakfast the camp was set up in a slightly smaller \nspace this year as there was quite a bigger attendance in terms of living history and \nmarket traders, we managed pretty well and put on an excellent living history show for \nthe public thanks to the strict attention to detail from the Marshall honed by years of \npractice, 2023 being our 60th anniversary year. \nThe Archer of the Fayre Shoot itself is over two days; the first day began with \nregistration at 9:30 am, and an exciting course was shot in brilliant sunshine with \nnumerous new targets, cunningly designed by Innis and Pistol, the organisers, who \nsupervised and controlled their usual entourage of Marshalls and faithful helpers \nwith much discipline and good humour. \n < < The Kitchen Tent \n < < The Kitchen Tent \n < < The Kitchen Tent \nHilary - source of \nHilary - source of \nHilary - source of \ncooking and good \ncooking and good \ncooking and good \nfellowship > > \nfellowship > > \nfellowship > > ","47 \nOur group of archers for the 2 days. \nOur group of archers for the 2 days. \nOur group of archers for the 2 days. \nCommunal cold lunch under the awning was prepared efficiently by the ladies to the \nusual standard of excellence before resuming the afternoons shooting. \n \n \n \n \n \n \nPictured left: \nPictured left: \nPictured left: \nScott ready \nScott ready \nScott ready \nfor the food \nfor the food \nfor the food \nprepares for \nprepares for \nprepares for \nthe day. \nthe day. \nthe day. \nPictured right: \nPictured right: \nPictured right: \nA Fabulous \nA Fabulous \nA Fabulous \nSpread! \nSpread! \nSpread! ","48 \nA Family Team \nA Family Team \nA Family Team \nAn Active Group \nAn Active Group \nAn Active Group \nAwaiting the turn \nAwaiting the turn \nAwaiting the turn ","49 \nOn the second day, again, it was wall-to- \nwall blue skies and the targets moved \naround and varied a little, made more \ndifficult and awkward as is the custom. \nThe occasion and the location is always \none of my favourites and the Medieval \nSociety shot well and with great humour \nand banter as usual. \nGary, our Marshall, ready to kill. \nGary, our Marshall, ready to kill. \nGary, our Marshall, ready to kill. \nSteve challenges a knight. \nSteve challenges a knight. \nSteve challenges a knight. \nDetermination from Lee. \nDetermination from Lee. \nDetermination from Lee. \nThe Arms Stand. \nThe Arms Stand. \nThe Arms Stand. ","50 \nAfter the shoot, the wine and the food comes out on a communal table. It absolutely \ngroaned with food from the period, no potatoes, tomatoes, or anything that was not in \nperiod and the result is a delicious meal and probably a much healthier way to eat. \nThe first days hot meal eaten in the evening and prepared in the morning, cooked all \nday over the campfire was a beef potage and the second day a chicken one, eaten with \nbread and very welcome. \nPreparing to miss... \nPreparing to miss... \nPreparing to miss... \nThe Marshall awaiting \nThe Marshall awaiting \nThe Marshall awaiting \ndinner. \ndinner. \ndinner. \nHappy Days! \nHappy Days! \nHappy Days! \nFood just kept coming! \nFood just kept coming! \nFood just kept coming! "]