Nocked For 6!

[Klenchblaize]

Last Friday I attended the CLA Game Fair and, as recommended in another thread, took my own advice and headed straight for the field archery stand. At the risk of appearing immodest I managed to put all six arrows into a 5” group on the furthest mule deer target. They were also just where I would normally aim when stalking roe deer with a rifle – slightly left and lower than that suggested as the hot-spot on the replaceable “kill zone” centres that these very life-like 3D targets have. I was over the moon and simply can no longer put off the inevitable. Yes, I want to take up the sport!

However, I would also like to be in the position, after reaching a certain level of consistent proficiency, to take to the woods after game with my bow. Sadly though this cannot be done in this country and putting aside the question of animal welfare I really do feel robed of a hunting experience that must be truly exhilarating and testing of ones fieldcraft skills. Yes, I am sure I will travel abroad to get my ‘fix’ but to have successfully stalked and taken a buck or doe in the land I was born and that is so closely associated with the long bow is b----y frustrating!!

Now, can anyone recommend a welcoming field archery club in East Kent?

Happy hunts!

Cheers
Ps: Feel free to move this to the “Fieldcraft” section if that’s where it should be.

 

[gregorach]

Have a look on the National Field Archery Association site.

I know there are a couple of other field archery associations that use different rules, but I can't remember what they're called... NFAS is probably the most "bushcrafty" one though - no marked distances.

 

[mark a.]

I went to the CLA at Belvoir Castle last year (or was it 2 years ago now???). I missed out on the archery - as I walked past in the morning there were very few people there but we were in a rush to have a look around first. But by the time we came back the queue was huge.

I must admit that it was certainly strange seeing young children firing arrows into boar and deer... a bit surreal that one!

 

[Ed]

I am sure I will travel abroad to get my ‘fix’

I believe france is the closest place, though you have to do a short course to prove your competancy.

Ed