What is Field Archery?

A field round is a challenging course, generally placed in a woods, in varying terrain, at different distances from target to target (20ft out to 80yds).  A typical round is shot in 2 halves of 14 targets with each half consisting of a different target face (field, hunter, or animal).  Archers shoot 4 arrows per target on the field and hunter rounds with 1 arrow per target on the animal round.

• A field target face is a round target with a black bulls-eye and alternating black and white rings.  
• A hunter target face is a round target with a white bulls-eye and an all black background.
• Animal target faces come in various animals such as a crow, rabbit, deer, bear, etc.  All animals are 2-dimensional paper targets.

Each target is marked with a variety of yardage stakes based on a number of different shooter classes and the specific round being shot.  Click here for a breakdown of the shooting classes and applicable distances for each round.

A perfect score for 14 targets is 280 points (20 points per target).  For the field and hunter rounds, arrows are scored as 5, 4, or 3 points each; click here for an example.  The animal round is based on a hunting “mindset” where you’re only given 1 shot for a kill.  Should you miss, you’ll receive an additional shot with a lower possible score (as follows):

The scoring area is divided into two parts, the vital area and non-vital, with a bonus X-ring (+1pt) in the center of the vital area, and scored accordingly. Scoring is based on where you hit with which arrow. The first arrow shot is scored 20 or 18. The second arrow is scored 16 or 14, and the third arrow is scored 12 or 10.  Hitting the X-ring results in an extra bonus point (i.e. 21 on first shot).

For additional information, please visit the National Field Archery Association’s website – https://www.nfaausa.com/