Punjab Archery Association
Introduction/History and Background
Archery is the art, sport, practice, or skill of using a bow to shoot arrows. Historically, archery has been used for hunting and warfare. In modern times, it is mainly a competitive sport and recreational activity. A person who practices archery is called an archer or a bowman.
Punjab Archery association is a subsidiary of Pakistan Archery Federation. Pakistan Archery Federation was established with a vision to function as a governing body to develop and promote the archery all over Pakistan and ensure representation of Pakistan in Olympics and regional and international events. The Archery Federation of Pakistan has made its mark under the kind and efficacious supervision and patronage of the President of Archery Federation of Pakistan, Lt. General (Retd.) Syed Arif Hasan who is also the Chairman of Pakistan Olympic Association.
Different/Variations of Archery
Many archery activities can be done with either a compound bow, longbow or recurve bow. Different types of archery include bow-hunting, target archery, 3D target archery, traditional archery or field archery.
Field Arhery
In the Field archery the targets used are usually bag targets or sometimes paper targets and in the field archery usually compound bows are used, but some folks will use a recurve or longbow.
Target ARchery
This type of archery competition is a timed event in which shooters use either a recurve, compound, longbow or bare bow. The large and round targets are set at known distances ranging anywhere from 30 to 90 meters (roughly 32 to 98 yards). This activity may be shot indoors or outdoors.
Traditional Archery
Either a recurve, longbow or self bow can be used for traditional archery. People interpret traditional archery to mean different things. Some say it’s shooting a recurve or a longbow without any equipment like a sight or a stabilizer.
Other folks feel that true traditional is only bows and arrows made from natural wood with real feathers for fletchings.
Distances for shooting traditional competition is usually up to 20 yards, but may vary depending on each club’s rules.
Bowhunting
Bow hunting is a primitive activity done to provide food for the table using bows and arrows. Providing food for the table using a bow and arrow is considered bow hunting.
Bowhunting can be done with any bow – the more primitive, the bigger the challenge. A lot of people say it takes more skill to hunt with a bow than it does a rifle.
This is one of the most fun types or archery for a lot of folks that like hunting and fishing. You can use most any bow for bowfishing you just have to set it up similar to a rod and reel.
There’s a special line attached to the arrow which has a barbed hook on the end. When you shoot the fish, you reel it in like regular fishing. You can set up your own bow or purchase one that is already set up and ready to go.
Mounted Archery
For those of you who love a challenge, you might try mounted archery. This is where you shoot at targets while riding a galloping horse.
Not only do you have to train yourself, but you’ll need to train your horse too. Courses and targets can vary between these competitions which keeps the shooter on his or her toes.
3D Target Archery
This type of archery is normally held outdoors, although if a facility is large enough, it could be held indoors. For this competition, a shooter may again either use a compound, longbow, or recurve.
The targets used are three-dimensional animal targets like deer, bears, turkeys, alligators, etc. Each target will have specific areas marked which represent a point value. The archer finishing the course with the most points wins the game.
Each of these types of archery competition will have its own specific set of rules and regulations to be followed.
Wondering which of these types of archery is in your area? Try searching Google for bow shops or archery clubs close to you. I bet you’ll find several and I know they’ll be more than happy to help you.