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GETTING STARTED

Buying Equipment

  • Buying archery equipment can be very difficult as there are no well stocked or dedicated archery shops in the Rockhampton area and most archery equipment is obtained by our members by mail order or travelling out of the Rockhampton area.

  • Archery equipment is not one size fits all or suits all and unless you can try before you buy at a dedicated archery shop there is a good chance you will end up with equipment that does not fit the archer it was bought for.

  • The best advice that Full Draw Field Archers recommends, is not to go out and impulse buy anything on the market but to ask our friendly coaches for advice an the best fit and style for each individual.

  • Young archers can be especially hard to fit out for equipment and the wrong equipment may do physical damage to young bodies.

  • Initially you do not need to have a full set of equipment. We have simple bow and arrows setups, both compound and re-curve, which will get you started and give you a feel for the sport. 

  • Any type of bow except crossbows (as these are considered firearms and can only be used on a gun range in Queensland). There are safety considerations of course, and all bows and arrows must be fit for purpose and fit the archer. Our senior club members can help check your gear if needed.

  • If you have any questions or Club Coaches are more than happy to help you in any way they can. 

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Recure Bow

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Compound Bow

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Crossbow

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Long Bow

On the Practice Range
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  • The practice range can be a very busy place at times and therefore rules are needed to ensure the smooth and safe running of it.

  • Please listen to the person in charge at all times.

  • A sports whistle is used by the person in charge of the practice range to let shooter’s know what to do: 

    • 1 Blow of the whistle is for archers to start shooting. 

    • 2 Blows of the whistle is for archers to stop shooing and to collect arrows.

    • 3 Blows means for all archers to stop immediately and remove all arrows and place them back in their quiver.

  • Please stand in line with the target that you are shooting and don’t shoot across another archers line.

  • Please be considerate of other archers on the practice range and share the targets.

On the Field Range

  • The Field Range is set in bush-land and while it has all of the risks associated with the Australian bush, FDFA have taken all reasonable steps to insure it is as safe as possible.

  • The Sport of Field Archery is a bit like Golf,  where as we have 20 to 28 target alleys set out in a field and just like Golf, you head out in group of other archers.

  • Each archer takes turns to shoot the target and then moves on to the next target.

  • Scoring is done after each target and you compete against other archers in your class.

  • This is done as at a leisurely pace insuring that all precautions are take for the safety of everyone.

  • Please listen to the Range Captains directions as they have your safety in mind at all times.

  • A sports whistle the same as the one used on the practice range to let shooter’s know what to do is used on the field range but only the 3 blows of the whistle is used to let all archers to stop immediately and remove all arrows and place them back in their quiver and wait for further instructions.

  • Cubs are to only walk between adults for their safety around the field range.

  • Please be considerate of other archers on the field range.

  • Shoot from the pegs according to your age.

    • Red: Senior  (17+ years)

    • Green: Juniors (13 to 16 years) and Traditional Shooters (Recurve & Longbow) 

    • Yellow: Cub (5 to 12 years)

  • Remember don’t pick up the hissing sticks

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Safety Do's & Don'ts 

  • DO check your equipment for any faults or damage.

  • DO wear firm fitting clothing while shooting.

  • DO tie back long hair.

  • DO wear sun and insect protection. (be sun smart)

  • DO wear all appropriate archery related protective items.

  • DO obey all instructions from officials.

(coaches, range captains and people supervising the practice range)

  • DO take water out on to the range.

  • DO treat other archers with respect.

  • DO be mindful of your language as we are a family friendly club.

  • DO wear suitable closed in footwear on the practice and field ranges.

  • DO NOT point a loaded bow at any person (drawn or not drawn)

  • DO NOT dry fire a bow (draw & shoot the bow without a arrow)

  • DO NOT draw & shoot an arrow while people are in front of you.

  • DO NOT run with arrows in your hand

  • DO NOT interfere with other archers equipment

  • DO NOT turn your bow horizontal on the practice line as it may interfere with other archers and their equipment

  • DO NOT stand too close behind the person removing arrows
    from the target butts (the other end of the arrow can be
    sharp)

  • DO NOT wear a complete outfit that does not have any
    visibility while on the range

  • DO NOT shoot the arrow straight up into the air

Mobile Phone Policy

The use of mobile phones on archery ranges is restricted to the following;

Mobile phones may be carried on to an archery range provided that:

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  • Phones must be set on silent or airplane mode at all times.

  • Phones may be used for taking photos but care must be taken to ensure that all those photographed give their consent to be photographed.

  • Phones may be used to make, or accept, phone calls in an emergency.

  • Permission to use a phone outside of this policy must be sought from the Shoot Director.

  • Any archer using a mobile phone on the course for any other reason without the permission of the shoot director will be disqualified from competition.

Dog Policy

Dog Policy Due to a number of recent issues involving dogs at ranges, a ban on dogs at ABA controlled ranges has been considered. Dogs are restricted from being in attendance at clubs/ranges/camping areas etc whilst the club range is being controlled by ABA Branch or National. Basically Dogs are banned from being within the clubs boundaries at Branch/State and National ABA shoots.

 

Service dogs (Guide Dogs for example) and the like are exempt from this policy, but the Shoot Director must be informed of this situation. The onus of proof that the animal is required to be with the person will rest with the owner/person in need. The Shoot Directors decision shall be final.

Smoking or Vaping Policy

Smoking or Vaping is permitted in the Designated Smoking Area (DSA).

We do not allow smoking or Vaping at any time on the shooting line

and it is a condition that all litter be disposed of

in the correct manner. 

Child Protection Policy

Full Draw Field Archers are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our children and young people who are participants in our sport. We will endeavour to ensure a safe and secure environment free from abuse, harassment, bullying, vilification, or harm. We are bound by the laws and policies of Queensland. Working with children checks are undertaken where a person is holding such a position within our Club. Enquiries and further information can be found at the following web address:

Queensland – www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/bluecard

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