Join us on the archery range for a variety of competitions, fun shoots, classes, workshops — and lots of siege weapons!
Our archery activities are available to newcomers and experienced members alike, age 5 and up.
Archery Range Safety Rules
1. Youths 5-17: a parent or authorized adult (with paperwork complete) must be present when shooting on the range (Kingdom Law).
2. Only bows and arrows which have passed the safety inspection may be used on the range. Bring bows unstrung to be inspected. Approved bows will receive a marker for the weekend.
3. Archers will need 6 arrows, or we can lend the necessary supply so as not to delay shooting line during the competitions and Royal Rounds
4. The marshal’s job is to maintain safety. Archers and spectators must follow their directions.
5. Marshals running the line and scorekeepers will be identified by colored baldrics.
6. Spectators are very welcome!
7. For safety, stay 10 feet behind shooting line while not shooting.
Range Setup – Help is WELCOME just before each shoot and after it ends, to bring in the targets. Come a bit early, stay a bit late, lend a hand.
During Monday Teardown please come VOLUNTEER time to pack up the range. Thanks!
Competitions
Candle Light Shoot
Schedule: Friday, Set up at 8:30, shoot at 9pm.
Rules: Archery fun after dark.
Prize: lantern donated by Lord Wilhelm.
Fun Shoot
Schedule: Sat 9:00 am
Rules: Come and re-fight the 100 years war at the Battle of Sluys.
Pick your side if we will have a Historic victory by King Edward VIII or if you can help rewrite history with a victory by Hugues Quieret. The Highest scores will face off in a Winner take Cup challenge.
Prize: The Cup to be donated by Lord Wilhelm.
Grey Goose Workshop and Team Shoot
ANYONE may attend the Workshop to learn from the Geese, Chiron from Caid, Sagittarius from the East and one of the new Premier Members of the Order of the Mark.
ANYONE may participate in the Team Shoot. You must be an Arcarius(Student of a Grey Goose or Equivalent Orders) or be accepted as an ‘Arcarius for the Day’ by one of the Grey Geese or Equivalent Orders. Come learn from the Kingdom’s recognized mentors and shoot on one of their teams. We want all the archers to participate!
Archery Workshops by the Grey Geese
Each workshop should be approximately 10 minutes of information or demonstration and then 2-5 minutes of questions or practice thereafter at each station. Visit several stations to meet various Grey Geese and learn from their expertise in the following areas or stay in the same place hearing it several times to hone that particular skill.
Aspects of Archery and Thrown Weapons like the following:
- Stance
- Aiming
- Release Techniques
- Arrow Straightening/Inspecting
- Bow Care/Inspecting
- Period Gear and Targets – John Wayland
- Siege Engine – Quinn and Murchahd (mur-cod)
- Time and Speed Skills – William Cristofore of Devonshire
- Crossbows
- How to prepare and run a Grand Archery Tournament – Dame Johanna (approx 5 minutes and be a go-to person for questions afterward)
Bracers and Hats Novelty TEAM Shoot
This is a Grey Goose Invitational Shoot – Meet a Grey Goose or Equivalent Order at the Workshop.
Think Squires Tournament for Archers but ANYONE with prior archery experience can ask to join a Goose’s team. Bonus points for the Geese who bring their Arcarii and even more bonus points for taking Arcarii “for the day”.
Team Targets: Red Bracer targets with Grey Geese Arms attached – try to take out the other Grey Geese for your own Goose’s Prowess. Hat Shoot – combat arrows at a hat on a pole. This is a crowd favorite, and we are adding a crossbow option this year!
Prize: Robin Hood Hat by Elovel
Goose Prize: Heraldic Silk ‘Grey Goose’ Badge (22x22in) by Dame Johanna (Background determined by users heraldic color choice.)
Egil’s 9th Annual Introduction to Period Archery Challenge
Schedule: Sunday 10am-12pm
Rules: This year we have a period royal round, with a modified and handicapped score.
Prize: A beautiful 30# recurve bow that meets An Tir’s requirements for period archery donated by The Honorable Lord John Wayland.
Classes & Demonstrations
Making Bow Servings, Sat 12-1, Tim Lytefelow ~ Learn how to replace the center serving on your crossbow or handbow string. For handbows, bring the bow, strung up as if you’re going to shoot.
Arrow Repair, Sun 12:30-1:30 pm, Alan Bowyer ~ Learn how to fix problems with points, nocks, and fletchings. Bring problem arrows if you wish.
Siege Weapons, Sat & Sun 3-5 pm, Master Quinn Phelan ~ live fire and demonstration of both direct and indirect fire weapons.