Field and 3D archery consist of shooting at targets of different sizes set at varying distances, heights and angles around a course in forest or other rough terrain. This exercises the whole body as archers need fitness and endurance as well as technical skill to hit the target. In field archery archers shoot 3 arrows at yellow and black targets set at distances of between 5 and 60 metres and in 3D archery archers shoot 2 arrows at distances between 5 and 45 metres.
The course may be in a forest or other rough terrain, requiring fitness and endurance, as well as technical skill in the sport of archery.
In field archery, archers shoot a specified number of arrows at yellow and black targets set at distances of between five and 60 metres. The distances of the targets may be marked (the distance stated) or unmarked (the distance hidden), making the archer’s ability to judge the range of the target a valuable asset.
In 3D archery, the targets are in the shape of animals, birds or even dinosaurs!
As well as general archery skills, archers require additional skills to succeed in field and 3D archery – including judging distance, shooting uphill and downhill, dealing with changing light or weather conditions and sometimes strenuous walking over uneven terrain. These skills are known as fieldcraft.
The most decorated field archer of all time is Erik Jonsson from Sweden, who shoots barebow. Jonsson has won five World Archery Field Championships in 1998, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018.
In field and 3D archery competitions archers may use recurve bows, compound bows, longbows, barebows and traditional bows, and there are different categories for these.
In field archery recurve and compound archers (sighted bows) shoot over marked distances of between 10 and 60 metres, and over unmarked distances of between 10 and 55 metres. For 3D it’s 5 to 45 metres for sighted bows. Barebow and all other unsighted bows shoot field archery over marked distances of between five and 50 metres, and over unmarked distances of between five and 45 metres. For 3D it’s 5 metres to 30 metres for all unsighted bows.
In field archery, archers shoot 3 arrows at every target. Field archery targets have a yellow centre, scoring six in the inner ring and five in the outer ring. The yellow centre is surrounded by black rings scoring four, three, two and one. There are four different size target faces in field archery, in diameters of 80cm, 60cm, 40cm and 20cm. Missing the rings on the target is zero points.
In 3D archery, archers shoot 2 arrows at each target. Scoring zones are marked on the target and scores of 11, 10, 8 and 5 are possible depending on where the arrow hits the target.
International field and 3D archery competitions consist of individual, mixed team and team events.
Individuals can shoot in their preferred category of bowstyle (recurve, compound or barebow for field, Compound, barebow, longbow and traditional for 3D). A mixed team consists of one male and one female archer, shooting with the same bowstyle. A team consists of three archers of the same gender, one from each of the different categories except in a 3D team where the team consists of compound, longbow and either barebow or traditional.
Find a competition Find your local club
