The sport of archery is relatively safe, although the bow is rightfully classed as a lethal weapon and was the means by which ancient man gained physical superiority over the animal kingdom. In ancient armies, archers were the coun terpart of the modern infantrymen. Wars of conquest were decided in battles in which the corps of archers played the decisive role. The deadly effect of this weapon is evidenced as late as 1415 when Henry V of England with an army con sisting of about 1,000 men-at-arms and 6,000 archers defeated a greatly superior force of French Knights and men-at-arms. The French lost 5,000 of their nobility killed on the field of battle. The English losses were 13 men-at-arms and about 100 foot soldiers. In the hands of an experienced archer, the bow proved a deadly and decisive weapon until the advent of firearms.

The modern bow is a superior weapon when compared to its ancient counterpart. Knowledge of the strength of materials and modern manufacturing methods and techniques have pro duced a bow which is outstanding in performance in the hands of an experienced bowman. In the field the archers’ code of conduct is predicated on the necessity to safeguard himself and his fellow archers from avoidable and regrettable accidents. Safety and courtesy can be considered synonymous terms in archery. To practice one is to assure the other. Wisconsin has not had a bow-hunting accident during any open season from 1934 to and including 1953. Pennsylvania enacted the neces sary legislation to permit the bow to be used in hunting in 1929. One self inflicted injury was reported in the 1954 spe cial season. The injury was incurred when a bow hunter stumbled and drove a broadhead into the calf of his leg.

Archery is a competitive sport in which group participation, even in the hunting field, is the rule rather than the exception and certain basic rules of conduct are general in their applica tion. The sole aim is to prevent accidental injury to participants in the sport or to spectators. The match rifleman would im mediately recognize the similarity between the conduct on the shooting line at a competitive rifle match and at an archery tournament or field shoot. The rules which apply to safe gun handling on the shooting line or in the hunting field are generally applicable to the man armed with a bow. In order to mitigate the chance of accidents among recent converts to the bow, the cardinal rules for safe bow handling and conduct on the range and in the hunting field are herein set forth. Use them as a guide to protect yourself and your fellow bowmen from injury. Archery Equipment - Read More.