The Ultimate Guide To Practicing Archery Safely
Unlike going for a jog or shooting some hoops, finding a spot to sharpen your archery skills can be tricky. It’s important to find a safe spot that will accommodate all your gear. Keep reading and we’ll dive into all the best practice locations in archery talk.
Can You Practice Archery in Your Backyard?
Long story short, yes you can. Practicing archery in your backyard is one of the easiest ways to get consistent practice in. Many states across the US consider this legal. After all, it is your land to decide how to use!
It’s still crucial to check local laws in your state and put safety first. Most city and suburban homes have relatively small yards with surrounding neighbors. Keep in mind you’ll need at least 10 feet of free space between you and your target when shooting even in archery for beginners.
The more space you can get, the better. Having ample space will allow you to gradually increase your distance from the target. If your goal is archery Olympics-level skills, it’s likely you’ll outgrow a backyard shooting range within a few years.
Standard target distances for competition start at around 70 meters. Until you’re reaching greater distances, keep safety precautions in mind. Form a backstop, inform nearby neighbors of your practice, and stay aware of the surrounding area.
Can You Practice Archery Indoors?
Finding an appropriate and safe space to practice archery indoors may be a bit trickier. However, it’s not impossible. Depending on your home, setting up an at home archery range may be your best option.
Unused basements and empty garages are the most ideal spots for indoor archery. Any large space that’s free of other people and damageable goods will work. You will need some extra supplies to set up, though.
As we mentioned with backyard archery, a netted backstop will prevent damage while shooting indoors. We also recommend making a sign for your practice room door to prevent other house members from entering. Check out some of our other content on building an indoor archery range at home for additional info!
What is a Good Distance for Practicing Archery?
Your archery practice distance will ultimately depend on your skill level. For beginners, a good shooting distance to start with is around 10 feet. As you get more comfortable behind the archery bow developing skills, you can gradually increase the distance.
Once your shooting rhythm has developed and you can hit that archery target consistently, it’s time to level up. Increase your target distance to around 15 or 20 feet. If you don’t have the space for this in your backyard, it may be time to join an archery club.
Archery clubs have plenty more room for shooting from larger distances. As your archery skills develop, keep increasing that shooting distance. Your long-term goals will determine which distances you aim for in archery talk.
If archery is simply your favorite hobby, just keep aiming until your proficiency makes you happy rather than meeting an archery Olympics standard. Those who choose to engage in competitions will need to decide which events they’re practicing for. Indoor and outdoor events have different standards and rules.
Where Can I Practice Archery for Free?
If you’re unsure whether archery is the sport for you, finding a free way to practice will let you dip your toes in. Practicing on your land, whether in the backyard or the garage, is the easiest way to practice for free. But since this isn’t available to all archers, let’s consider other options.
Taster archery lessons are a good avenue for new archers to try. Many local clubs may offer a selection of free introductory lessons every year, so we advise looking online. They’ll allow you to handle basic archery equipment.
Keep in mind that taster sessions aim to persuade archers to join the club permanently. More long-term training and practice commitments through clubs can be costly but will give you a more personalized experience. Archers looking for a free practice session can also consider finding someone with ample space.
Perhaps you have a friend or family member with ample land you can use for practicing. As long as they’re okay with it, using any space with a lot of land can work with archery for beginners. Make sure to take the proper safety precautions wherever you practice, like setting up some backstops behind your targets.
One option that may seem promising, but you should actually avoid, is practicing outdoors in open spaces. Whether it’s a park, open field, or woodsy area, the practicalities of these areas make them non-ideal. Public spaces are free to use for everyone, which means other folks, children, or animals could be at risk from your archery bow.
Archery requires ample space in order to be practiced safely, and even with backstops in place, accidents can still occur. It’s smarter not to take the risk of hitting anyone if your arrows miss the archery target. You may be able to find free practice ranges open to the public instead, which will prevent the risk of anyone’s safety.
Other Options for Practicing Archery
While finding spots to shoot for free is ideal, the practice options are endless with a slightly larger budget. One of the incredible options, as mentioned before, is joining a local archery club. Clubs will provide you with fellow archer friends, expert archery lessons, and personal training.
Getting into a local archery program is also great for guaranteeing consistency and mastering archery equipment. When you’re paying to practice each week, you’re not likely to skip out. Having an in at local clubs can also point you in the direction of future competitions.
Now that you know all the best locations for practicing, perfecting your shot has never been easier. Set up the backyard, join a local archery club, and get your arrows ready! Before you set off to practice, don’t forget to check out additional archery talk content from Crow Survival.
