Field Archery
In field archery the targets are set out at varying distances on uneven terrain usually in a woodland setting and with at least a few hills and slopes. There are a variety of field rounds that may be shot, with each round consisting of a set number of targets times distances, usually from 5 to 60 metres, the distances to be shot are randomly laid out round a course so that archers could find themselves shooting an end at the longest distance at one target and at a much shorter distance at the next one. As well as having varying terrain underfoot requiring an archer to adapt his/her shooting position, hitting the target can also involve uphill or downhill shots, and for some rounds the distances are unmarked so the archers have to estimate the distance. All ages and sexes can compete on the same course using marker pegs of different colours when taking their shots, though each only competes against others in their own group.
As the targets are fixed for a particular event, archers are allocated a group and a start target and then move on from target to target until they've been round the whole course the required number of times to finish the round.
Taking Part
There are currently three GNAS approved field courses in Scotland, and field archery in Scotland is a fledgling activity. Several familiarisation events and competitions have already taken place with more in the pipeline, and many individuals now enjoying field archery as an activity. Look for the 
icon on the outdoor shoot calendars. It is planned to hold a set of selections shoots and a Scottish Championship in the near future. Additionally for those prepared to travel there are field tournaments all round England, Wales & Northern Ireland. There is an Archery GB Team and training squads, and GNAS hosts the All British & Open, The Junior UK Champs and a Home Nations event each year. In 2008 The World Field Championships were held in Llwynypia, Wales. GNAS Field Website.
The Challenge of Field
The outdoor target archer shoots on marked distances only, some longer than in field archery. The field archer shoots on both known and unknown distances from 5-60 meters, depending on division. The field archer needs to practice on many different distances, as well as practising how to judge the distance.
Target archery is shot on level ground, and the shooting position is constant. In Field shooting the taget can be up or downhill so the field archer needs to practice on varying shooting positions. The ground underfoot can vary with one foot higher then the other and often there are obstacles that have to be shot "around".
For target archery the arrow flight is the same for a given distance, only influenced by the wind. In field archery the arrow flight differs on a given distance due to the angle of the shot. A field archer must know by experience how to set their sights to account for this.
In target archery the light and wind conditions are normally more stable or gradually changing during the day. In field archery light and wind conditions vary from target to target. Strong winds are rare due to the terrain, but the light can change from target to target or the archer could be standing in sunlight shooting into shade or vice versa; so the field archer must practice in varying wind and light conditions, to learn how these influences his/her aiming and shooting.
The International governing body for Archery publishes a very good guide on the techniques needed for field archery Field Guidlines from FITA
What bow styles are permitted?
A wider variety of bows and style can compete in GNAS Field. See the Field Bowstyles page for details.
What rounds are shot?
The most common rounds shot are the FITA Field rounds. Generally 24 targets are shot but it can vary from any number from 12 – 48 targets divisible by 4. These rounds can be at unmarked distances, marked distances, a combination of one of each or a mixed round of marked and unmarked targets.
Other rounds include the Stamp Round, Forrester Round, 3D round etc. Local/Club Rounds are also permitted but are not eligible for GNAS Record or Classification purposes.
This page contributed by Brian Kupris (Argyll Field Archers); Photos courtesy of Dean Alberga