CFA New Member/Visitor Welcome and Information

Welcome to Capital Field Archers Inc. (CFA). There are a few things we would like you to keep in mind whenever you are shooting or attending the range. Archery is a great sport so please enjoy it!

Our club shoots are normally the second and fourth Sunday of each month.  We start with a 3 arrow 20 target round in the morning and after a lunch break shoot a one arrow 20 target round.  Registration and practice is from 8.30am with the 3 arrow round commencing at 9.30am. Please see “Club shoot schedule – including come and try” page elsewhere on this site for details about upcoming shoot dates.

If you have your own archery equipment please bring it along.  There are no restrictions with regard to bow type and minimum or maximum poundage.  We only shoot vertical bows, crossbows are not allowed.  Your bow, arrows and other equipment will be checked to see that they are in reasonable condition for your own safety and that of everyone else.  The club also has a number of bows, arrows and arm guards available for hire to suit both senior and junior shooters.  If you continue on in the sport you can be graded for a particular category depending on the type of bow you shoot – recurve, compound, traditional (long bow) and the type of equipment you use in conjunction with your bow – e.g. sights, stabilisers and  release aids.  Don’t worry if you haven’t done done any shooting before – it is best to start with basic equipment and consider upgrading when you have a bit more experience.

When shooting please ensure you are comfortably attired and dress for the environment.  Covered shoes and long pants are recommended as these offer some protection from vegetation and other hazards. In warmer weather a hat can be a good idea and apply sunscreen if you need to. Try to wear clothing that allows enough freedom of movement to draw your bow and release your arrow without interference.

Make sure your archery equipment is properly suited to you. If you need assistance in setting up a bow then please ask for help. There are a number of accredited coaches in the club who can check your form or offer advice. In particular make sure you can comfortably draw your bow in line with the target and can let down if you need to. This applies to all types of bows. For compound bow archers, it is important that the bow is properly adjusted to your draw length and draw weight. Modern compound bows are very efficient so backing off a few pounds in draw weight for a more comfortable draw cycle and less muscle fatigue may not lose you too much in arrow speed. Arrows should be periodically checked as well, especially if you or your group have shot a number of arrows in close proximity to one another.

On the course be aware of natural hazards and also remember that we share our licence for the land the club is located at with a cattle grazier. Stock on the course can be expected at any time so please don’t shoot if any are visible behind a target, even if they are some distance away. The course is also accessible by members of the public, so although warning signs are in place it is possible someone will be on the course who, deliberately or otherwise, puts themselves in danger. Please stand down from shooting until it is safe to resume. If appropriate, warn other groups on the course and the shoot director if need be. If approached by a member of the public please remain polite and inform them that they  are on an archery range. Most reasonable people will move on once informed but if this is not the case discontinue the round and inform the shoot director.

We are not permitted to hunt or shoot feral pests or game at this location. On the course they have the same status as native wildlife so please let them move on and only resume target shooting when it is safe to do so.

When searching for lost arrows please ensure that it is clear to any following group that you are doing so. Leave your bow or some equipment at the target butt to indicate that you are still in the target zone. If you can’t find your arrow(s) in a reasonable time return to search at the completion of the round when all groups are off the course. It is a good idea to carry enough arrows with you to complete a twenty target round. Even shots on target can be damaged by another arrow and contact with trees, rocks and the ground can break arrows.

Please show courtesy and respect at all times to fellow competitors. Ours is a sport for all genders and ages so it is important everyone has an enjoyable time competing to the best of their ability. Respect the shoot rules and share the shoot tasks of scoring and pulling arrows if you can assist.

Why do I need to Join ABA?

CFA is fully affiliated with the Australian Bowhunters Association Inc. (ABA) so it is a condition of our membership that you also join ABA. Affiliation with ABA provides the club and our members with public liability insurance cover and many other benefits including our rules of shoot and the bowhunter proficiency course (BPC) accreditation if you are interested in bowhunting. ABA is also an approved hunting organisation, membership of which is a requirement if you intend to apply for a NSW R-Licence to hunt in NSW State Forests.

There is also the opportunity to compete in ABA Branch, State and National competitions. These are a great way to get experience at and shoot at other locations and meet competitors from other areas. If you are really keen there are also international events that you can attend.