Archery Disclipines
The three archery disclipines practised in Herefordshire are Target Archery, Field Archery and Clout. [Please note that it is illegal to hunt with a bow and arrow anywhere in the United Kingdom.]
Target Archery
Target Archery takes place both indoors and outdoors at distances up to 90 metres using a traditional 5 colour, 10 ring target face. For a detailed explanation on international target archery please visit World Archery.
Field Archery
Field archery involves shooting at targets of varying and often unmarked distance, typically in woodland and rough terrain. For more information on field archery please visit the English Field Archery Association.
Clout
Clout is a form of archery in which archers shoot arrows at a flag (known as “the Clout”) over varying (usually quite long) distances. The number of points scored depends on how close each arrow lands to the flag.
Bromyard Bowmen focus on the traditional form of Target Archery offering both County and Open events throughout the year. For information on other Herefordshire Archery Association events please visit their website here.
Bow Types
The bow types primarily used by members of Bromyard Bowmen are the Olympic Style Recurve bow (and it’s less weighty cousin, the Barebow), the Compound bow and the traditional English Longbow. There are so many different options and accessories available to modern archers today that we are not going to try and describe them all, but here is a very brief introduction to the three main bow types.
Recurve Bow
Recurve bows were historically used by horsemen, and modern versions of the bow are used in Olympic events.
These bows are named for their distinctive shape: the main parts of the limbs curving towards the archer, with the limb tips curving away from the archer.
Low poundage beginner recurve bows are used on our beginners courses to teach budding archers good technique without being too heavy to pull. These bows only have a riser, limbs, a string, an arrow rest and a basic sight.
As the archer develops, accessories such as stabilizers, long rods, pressure buttons and clickers can be added to the bow.
Recurve Bow
Recurve bows were historically used by horsemen, and modern versions of the bow are used in Olympic events.
These bows are named for their distinctive shape: the main parts of the limbs curving towards the archer, with the limb tips curving away from the archer.
Low poundage beginner recurve bows are used on our beginners courses to teach budding archers good technique without being too heavy to pull. These bows only have a riser, limbs, a string, an arrow rest and a basic sight.
As the archer develops, accessories such as stabilizers, long rods, pressure buttons and clickers can be added to the bow.
Recurve Bow
Recurve bows were historically used by horsemen, and modern versions of the bow are used in Olympic events.
These bows are named for their distinctive shape: the main parts of the limbs curving towards the archer, with the limb tips curving away from the archer.
Low poundage beginner recurve bows are used on our beginners courses to teach budding archers good technique without being too heavy to pull. These bows only have a riser, limbs, a string, an arrow rest and a basic sight.
As the archer develops, accessories such as stabilizers, long rods, pressure buttons and clickers can be added to the bow.
Compound Bow
Compound bows were first produced in the 1960s and involve an innovative system of cables, pulleys and eccentric cams that assist the archer in holding a heavy draw weight at full draw. This system gives archers time to aim a powerful bow without causing excessive muscle fatigue. However, a good deal of strength is needed to initially draw the bow.
Compound bows are less affected by changes in temperature and humidity than bows made of natural materials, which gives them better accuracy, distance and arrow velocity.
Compound bows are typically not used by beginners because of their inherent complexity.
Compound Bow
Compound bows were first produced in the 1960s and involve an innovative system of cables, pulleys and eccentric cams that assist the archer in holding a heavy draw weight at full draw. This system gives archers time to aim a powerful bow without causing excessive muscle fatigue. However, a good deal of strength is needed to initially draw the bow.
Compound bows are less affected by changes in temperature and humidity than bows made of natural materials, which gives them better accuracy, distance and arrow velocity.
Compound bows are typically not used by beginners because of their inherent complexity.
Compound Bow
Compound bows were first produced in the 1960s and involve an innovative system of cables, pulleys and eccentric cams that assist the archer in holding a heavy draw weight at full draw. This system gives archers time to aim a powerful bow without causing excessive muscle fatigue. However, a good deal of strength is needed to initially draw the bow.
Compound bows are less affected by changes in temperature and humidity than bows made of natural materials, which gives them better accuracy, distance and arrow velocity.
Compound bows are typically not used by beginners because of their inherent complexity.
English Longbow
Longbows were first recorded in use during battle in 1298 and were a dominant weapon on the battle field until the mid-16th century.
The bows are characterized by their simplicity: they consist of a long, slightly curved piece of wood the same height as the archer and do not have arrow rests or sights.
Longbows are much more difficult to aim than other modern bows and do not have nearly the same velocity as compound or recurve bows.
The longbow requires more practice and patience to master, but many archers enjoy the challenge of learning to effectively use longbows.
English Longbow
Longbows were first recorded in use during battle in 1298 and were a dominant weapon on the battle field until the mid-16th century.
The bows are characterized by their simplicity: they consist of a long, slightly curved piece of wood the same height as the archer and do not have arrow rests or sights.
Longbows are much more difficult to aim than other modern bows and do not have nearly the same velocity as compound or recurve bows.
The longbow requires more practice and patience to master, but many archers enjoy the challenge of learning to effectively use longbows.
English Longbow
Longbows were first recorded in use during battle in 1298 and were a dominant weapon on the battle field until the mid-16th century.
The bows are characterized by their simplicity: they consist of a long, slightly curved piece of wood the same height as the archer and do not have arrow rests or sights.
Longbows are much more difficult to aim than other modern bows and do not have nearly the same velocity as compound or recurve bows.
The longbow requires more practice and patience to master, but many archers enjoy the challenge of learning to effectively use longbows.