Nervous about your next session? The core archery range safety rules are simple: obey the person running the line, follow the whistle signals, never point a bow at anyone, and never dry fire.
Every club session is built on these habits, and you can see how they fit into a typical session by reading about archery clubs.
| Safety item | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Start shooting signal | One whistle blast |
| Collect arrows signal | Three whistle blasts |
| Emergency stop signal | Four or more whistle blasts |
| Hazard call | Shout FAST |
| Approaching the target | From the side, never straight on |
These figures come from the safety pages of Falkirk Company of Archers and Bowmen of Danesfield. Signals can change and differ between ranges, so check the source and your own range’s rules before you rely on them.
Who is in charge on the range?
Every organised shoot has a person controlling the line. At Bowmen of Danesfield, the Field Captain is in charge and archers must obey their commands, whether given verbally or by whistle, according to the club’s range safety page.
Falkirk Company of Archers explains that each club night has a designated member who acts as Field Captain in control of the shooting, as the club’s safety page sets out. The University of Wisconsin Extension uses a different title, “range commander”, for the same job, in its archery safety rules poster.
The title changes, but the rule does not. If you are unsure about anything, ask the person in charge before you pick up a bow.
Whistle signals and the shooting line
The whistle tells everyone when it is safe to shoot, stop or walk forward. Falkirk Company of Archers lists one blast as safe to start shooting and three blasts as safe to go and collect arrows, on its safety page.
Bowmen of Danesfield adds that you should wait behind the waiting line until you hear one whistle, and only then proceed to the shooting line. Its range safety page also says that if you hear four or more whistle sounds you must stop shooting and return to the waiting line.
Codes are not identical everywhere. The University of Wisconsin Extension poster uses two whistle blasts for “shooters to the line”, one to begin shooting, three to inspect targets and retrieve arrows, and four or more to stop, as shown in its safety rules.
A quick summary of the sequence at a typical club range:
- Wait behind the waiting line until the Field Captain signals.
- Step to the shooting line when you are told it is safe.
- Load an arrow only once you are across the shooting line.
- Stop at once if the signal to stop is given.
- Return to the waiting line when you have released all your arrows.
Handling your bow and arrows safely
Your bow should only ever point at the target. Bowmen of Danesfield tells archers to point the bow only at the target and to load an arrow only once they are across the shooting line, per its range safety page.
Falkirk Company of Archers is blunt about the same point: never, ever, point a bow at anyone. It also says you should only put an arrow in a bow when you are on the shooting line, facing the target, after the start signal, according to its safety summary.
Never dry fire
A dry fire means releasing the string with no arrow loaded. Bowmen of Danesfield says never to do it, and Falkirk Company of Archers warns that pulling to full draw and releasing without shooting an arrow could damage the bow, as both Danesfield and Falkirk state.
Practising your draw
If you want to practise your draw, Falkirk Company of Archers says to do so facing a wall, without an arrow in the bow, according to its safety page. That keeps the rehearsal away from other people and away from the line.
Collecting arrows without risk
Walking forward is the moment when people are most exposed. Wait for the collect signal before leaving the line; Bowmen of Danesfield says to wait until you hear three whistle sounds, as its range page explains.
Approach the target boss from the side, never straight on, and never run. Falkirk Company of Archers notes that you may stand on an arrow lying on the ground, which is especially important outdoors, in its safety rules.
On the walk back, Bowmen of Danesfield says to either put the arrows in your quiver or carry them with the points facing down, per its safety page.
What to do when you spot a hazard
If you see a danger, you do not wait for a signal. Bowmen of Danesfield says to shout FAST to immediately stop everybody shooting and return to the waiting line, according to its range safety page.
Falkirk Company of Archers says that on hearing FAST you should not shoot, come down and take the arrow from the bow. It adds that the whistle can be blown continuously as an alternative, as set out on its safety page.
Typical hazards include:
- A person or animal moving into the area around or behind the target.
- An arrow or piece of equipment on the ground where people will walk.
- Someone crossing the line while others are still shooting.
Clothing, equipment checks and behaviour
Check your kit before you step up. The University of Wisconsin Extension poster tells archers to inspect their equipment before shooting, use arrows of proper length, and be sure the area around and behind the target is clear, in its safety rules.
The same poster advises snug-fitting clothes, tied-back long hair and closed-toed shoes. Falkirk Company of Archers also says to always check that your arrows are the correct length, as noted on its safety page.
On the field itself, Bowmen of Danesfield says never to run, play around, drink alcohol or smoke, per its range page. The Wisconsin poster also says to walk, never run, and to put down your bow and stay off the line when you finish shooting, as shown in its rules.
If you are new, the guide to archery for beginners explains what to expect at an introductory session. Competition shoots add their own commands, so the overview of types of archery competitions shows the formats you may meet.
Frequently asked questions
Is archery a safe sport?
Show answer
Bowmen of Danesfield says archery is very safe as long as everybody is aware of the dangers and shoots with safety in mind, according to its range safety page. Following the rules every time is what makes that true.
What should I do if I hear four or more whistle blasts?
Show answer
Stop shooting and return to the waiting line, as Bowmen of Danesfield instructs on its range safety page. Do not finish the arrow you are on.
Can I dry fire my bow?
Show answer
No. Bowmen of Danesfield says never to dry fire a bow without an arrow loaded.
Where can I practise my draw?
Show answer
Falkirk Company of Archers says to face a wall with no arrow in the bow, according to its safety page. Never practise pointing at other people.
Do all ranges use the same whistle signals?
Show answer
No. The University of Wisconsin Extension poster uses two blasts for shooters to the line, while Bowmen of Danesfield says one whistle lets you proceed to the shooting line, as each states on its page. Always ask the person in charge to explain the local signals.
