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these things can destroy concrete walls, people...
Public Service Announcement: bows and arrows are WEAPONS. Really.
This is something that people seem to forget.
I went to camp last weekend, and had the option of doing archery as part of the afternoon activities. (As the daughter of two archers, this has kind of lost its novelty value; but as the daughter of two archers, I'm also very valuable to have around. As you will see.)
The situation there was pretty much exactly what always happens with archery on camps. And so I have decided to provide this handy guide, in an attempt to prevent ignorant people getting Darwin Awards.
Rules To Remember For Recreational Archery
1) Yes, the bow and arrow look all plastic and colourful. This does NOT make them toys. It just makes them kind of tacky.
2) Do not decide that the 10m distance is boring and move back to shoot from 20m when everyone else is STILL SHOOTING FROM 10M. You will get people KILLED.
3) Do not put multiple arrows in the bow and see how many you can shoot at once.
4) Do not wave around a bow-armed-with-arrow while people are standing at the targets pulling out arrows. Do not mock-aim at said people. When you are asked not to do this, do not scoff and say "Oh, but I'm not going to actually shoot..." as if this makes it okay. Definitely do not do this when you are in your THIRTIES and are supposed to be setting an example for your son who is ALSO armed with deadly medieval weaponry.
5) Do not put your finger OVER the front of the arrow you're about to fire. You will rip your hand in half. (Seriously, I'd rather shoot a bullet through that part of my hand than an arrow. At least the bullet is small.)
6) When the person with a lifetime of experience in archery starts telling you things in a stern (and slightly panicked) voice, LISTEN. It might be important, and prevent you from maiming your nearest and dearest. Do not assume that you can listen to them after you finish shooting the fun plastic toys into your feet.
This is something that people seem to forget.
I went to camp last weekend, and had the option of doing archery as part of the afternoon activities. (As the daughter of two archers, this has kind of lost its novelty value; but as the daughter of two archers, I'm also very valuable to have around. As you will see.)
The situation there was pretty much exactly what always happens with archery on camps. And so I have decided to provide this handy guide, in an attempt to prevent ignorant people getting Darwin Awards.
Rules To Remember For Recreational Archery
1) Yes, the bow and arrow look all plastic and colourful. This does NOT make them toys. It just makes them kind of tacky.
2) Do not decide that the 10m distance is boring and move back to shoot from 20m when everyone else is STILL SHOOTING FROM 10M. You will get people KILLED.
3) Do not put multiple arrows in the bow and see how many you can shoot at once.
4) Do not wave around a bow-armed-with-arrow while people are standing at the targets pulling out arrows. Do not mock-aim at said people. When you are asked not to do this, do not scoff and say "Oh, but I'm not going to actually shoot..." as if this makes it okay. Definitely do not do this when you are in your THIRTIES and are supposed to be setting an example for your son who is ALSO armed with deadly medieval weaponry.
5) Do not put your finger OVER the front of the arrow you're about to fire. You will rip your hand in half. (Seriously, I'd rather shoot a bullet through that part of my hand than an arrow. At least the bullet is small.)
6) When the person with a lifetime of experience in archery starts telling you things in a stern (and slightly panicked) voice, LISTEN. It might be important, and prevent you from maiming your nearest and dearest. Do not assume that you can listen to them after you finish shooting the fun plastic toys into your feet.
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Gabrielle
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These weren't Cub Scouts by any chance, were they? My husband worked at a Cub Scout Day Camp when he was a teenager, running the archery range. He has horror stories to tell about the idiot things those boys would try to do.
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(Anonymous) 2011-07-31 11:15 am (UTC)(link)(When I was Range officer at various school demos, the Teacher in charge explained about bow-stringing as punishment, then pointed out the one at my waist.) An we only allowed them "Blunts".
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Weaponry
And, even in extremely experienced hands, these things do go off accidentally - as indicated by the hole in the family room floor ;)