Req 1d — Retrieving Arrows
1d.
Explain how to safely remove arrows from the target and return them to your quiver.
Why Arrow Retrieval Matters
Pulling arrows from a target might seem simple, but doing it wrong can result in broken arrows, damaged equipment, or even injury. Arrows that snap during removal can send sharp fragments flying. Arrows pulled at an angle can bend or crack. And rushing through retrieval puts you and the archers around you at risk.
Step-by-Step: Safe Arrow Retrieval
Before You Approach
- Wait for three whistle blasts before leaving the shooting line. Never walk downrange until the range officer signals that it is safe.
- Set your bow down on the bow rack or on the ground before walking to the target. You should never carry a bow to the target while retrieving arrows.
- Watch your step as you walk downrange. Arrows that missed the target may be lying in the grass or sticking out of the ground.
At the Target
Follow these steps to pull each arrow safely:
- Check behind you to make sure no one is standing directly behind you where the arrow will come out.
- Place one hand flat against the target face near the arrow to brace it. This keeps the target from tearing and gives you control.
- Grip the arrow shaft close to the target with your other hand. Grip it firmly but do not squeeze so hard that you bend the shaft.
- Pull the arrow straight back in the same direction it went in. Twisting or angling the arrow can bend or break the shaft and damage the target.
- Place the arrow in your quiver immediately after pulling it. Do not carry loose arrows in your hand — they can poke you or someone nearby.
Handling Stuck Arrows
Sometimes an arrow buries deep into the target and does not want to come out. Here is what to do:
- Do not yank it. Jerking a stuck arrow can snap the shaft and send the back half flying toward your face.
- Try twisting it gently while pulling straight back. A slight rotation can break the suction that holds the point in the foam or straw.
- Ask for help from the range officer or an experienced archer if you cannot get it out. Many ranges keep a small tool called an arrow puller — a rubber grip pad that gives you extra traction on the shaft.
Finding Lost Arrows
Arrows that miss the target can end up in the grass, dirt, or brush behind the target. Always look for missing arrows after each end. Here is how:
- Count your arrows before you leave the shooting line. If you shot six arrows, you should find six arrows.
- Walk the area behind and around the target carefully. Arrows lying in grass can be hard to see and dangerous to step on.
- Check the ground in front of the target for arrows that may have bounced or skipped off the surface.
