Study guides · Stuff Every Archery Scout Should Know
Practice facts for the Archery merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.
Knowing Archery Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.
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Short answer: An object thrown or shot through the air
A projectile is an object launched through the air, so devices shooting them fast need care and approved locations.
Groan of the day: Don't projectile your lunch if you miss!
Sources: Scouting America: Archery
Short answer: Because fast projectiles can be dangerous
High-speed projectiles can cause harm, so they belong only in safe, approved places under proper supervision.
Groan of the day: Approved locations only, no backyard bullseyes!
Sources: Scouting America: Archery
Short answer: Learn and follow the range safety rules
Knowing the five range safety rules helps everyone shoot safely and avoid accidents.
Groan of the day: Rules first, arrows second!
Sources: Scouting America: Archery
Short answer: To know where and how archery equipment may be used
Laws tell you where and how you may own and use archery equipment legally and safely.
Groan of the day: Know the law before you draw!
Sources: Scouting America: Archery
Short answer: The arrowhead
The arrowhead sits at the front, while fletching and the nock are at the back.
Groan of the day: Head first, nock last!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: A small groove that locks onto the bowstring
The nock is the small locking groove at the back end that attaches the arrow to the string.
Groan of the day: Nock nock, who's there? The bowstring!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: To stabilize the arrow in flight
Fletchings help stabilize and guide the arrow so it flies accurately.
Groan of the day: Fletching keeps arrows on the straight and narrow!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: Aluminium alloy
Aluminium alloy is one common shaft material, along with wood, fiberglass, and carbon fiber.
Groan of the day: Aluminium arrows are shaft-sational!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: They can warp
Wooden arrows can warp, so they need inspection and proper care to stay straight.
Groan of the day: Wooden arrows can go warped and wonky!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: Holding arrows
A quiver is a container that carries arrows safely and keeps them handy.
Groan of the day: Quiver me timbers, that's a lot of arrows!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: The bow arm from the string
An arm guard, or bracer, protects the inside of the bow arm from being hit by the string.
Groan of the day: Arm guard on, string slap gone!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: A leather tab or glove
A leather tab, glove, or thumb ring protects the fingers that draw and release the string.
Groan of the day: Tabs save fingers, fingers save shots!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: How far the string is pulled back
Draw length is the distance the bowstring is drawn, which affects fit and shooting form.
Groan of the day: Draw length: how far you go with the flow!
Sources: Scouting America: Archery
Short answer: The force needed to pull the bowstring
Draw weight is the force required to pull the string to full draw.
Groan of the day: Draw weight: the bow's workout plan!
Sources: Scouting America: Archery
Short answer: A device that holds and releases the string
A mechanical release aid gives a crisp, precise loose of the string, often on compound bows.
Groan of the day: Release aid: let it go professionally!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: A group of arrows shot in one turn
An end is a set number of arrows shot before scoring and retrieving, like five arrows.
Groan of the day: Ends are arrow groups, not the finish line!
Sources: Scouting America: Archery
Short answer: A round is a set of ends that makes up a course
A round is made of several ends shot at set distances, while an end is one group of arrows.
Groan of the day: A round is many ends, not a merry-go-round!
Sources: Scouting America: Archery
Short answer: Shooting at 3D animal targets
3D archery involves shooting at three-dimensional animal targets, often in a wooded course.
Groan of the day: 3D targets: no flat jokes!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: Shooting arrows at a target for accuracy from set distances
Target archery is the most popular competitive form, scoring accuracy at set distances.
Groan of the day: Target archery hits the spot!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: By color bands with numbered scoring regions
The five-color target has scoring regions, with higher scores closer to the center.
Groan of the day: Color rings, scoring things!
Sources: Scouting America: Archery
Short answer: Scoring rings on black and white faces
NFAA field targets are black and white with scoring rings, and indoor targets are blue.
Groan of the day: Black and white, score it right!
Sources: Scouting America: Archery
Short answer: A certified instructor or trained range staff
Shooting must be supervised by a certified USA Archery Level 1 Instructor or trained camp range staff.
Groan of the day: Supervision first, shooting second!
Sources: Scouting America: Archery
Short answer: It needs special tools and expertise
Compound bow strings and cables need proper shop replacement because of high tension and special equipment.
Groan of the day: Shop smart, not string-smart!
Sources: Scouting America: Archery
Short answer: The marked spot where the arrow nock sits
The nocking point is marked on the string so the arrow nocks at the same spot each time.
Groan of the day: Nocking point: the string's parking spot!
Sources: Scouting America: Archery
Short answer: A bow square
A bow square is used to locate and mark the nocking point on the bowstring.
Groan of the day: Square up your nocking point!
Sources: Scouting America: Archery
Short answer: Properly to protect them from damage
Proper care and storage protect bows from damage and keep them shooting well.
Groan of the day: Store your bow with care, shoot without a scare!
Sources: Scouting America: Archery
Short answer: A standard shooting process from stance to follow through
The 11 Steps of Shooting is a standard process covering stance through follow through.
Groan of the day: Eleven steps to a better shot!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: Stance
Stance is the first step, setting the body position before nocking and drawing.
Groan of the day: Stand tall, shoot well!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: Attaching the arrow to the bowstring
Nocking means placing the arrow's nock onto the bowstring before drawing.
Groan of the day: Nock it before you rock it!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: A consistent spot where the string hand rests
An anchor point is a fixed spot on the face or jaw that keeps shots consistent.
Groan of the day: Anchor your hand, land your shot!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: Keeping form after the release
Follow through means holding your form after release, which helps accuracy and consistency.
Groan of the day: Follow through, not follow the arrow!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: It can damage the bow
Dry firing releases the string without an arrow, so energy stays in the bow and can cause damage.
Groan of the day: Dry fire, bow's ire!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: The arrow's stiffness rating
Spine is the stiffness rating that helps match the arrow to the bow for accuracy.
Groan of the day: Spine is stiffness, not spooky!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: The index fletch that points away from the bow
The cock feather, or index fletch, is positioned to point away from the bow for clearance.
Groan of the day: Cock feather leads the flock!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: Limiting range with oversized fletching
Flu-flu arrows have oversized fletchings that increase drag and limit how far they fly.
Groan of the day: Flu-flu: short flight, big drag!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: Improves bow balance and reduces vibration
Stabilizers improve balance, reduce noise and vibration, and help accuracy.
Groan of the day: Stabilize, don't wobble!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: A rear sight built into a compound bowstring
A peep sight is a rear sight in the string that helps with a consistent anchor and aim.
Groan of the day: Peep through the string!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: Using a bow and arrow to take fish
Bow fishing means using archery equipment to take fish, which requires care and legal knowledge.
Groan of the day: Bow fishing: aim, don't flop!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: Bow
Archery comes from the Latin arcus, meaning bow.
Groan of the day: Arcus makes archery sound arch-some!
Sources: Archery
Short answer: An archer
A person who practices archery is typically called an archer, bowman, or toxophilite.
Groan of the day: An archer is right on target with that name.
Sources: Archery
Short answer: Hunting and combat
Historically archery was used for hunting and combat; today it is mainly sport and recreation.
Groan of the day: That history really hits the mark.
Sources: Archery
Short answer: Mainly a competitive sport and recreation
In modern times archery is mainly a competitive sport and recreational activity.
Groan of the day: Modern archery is a real crowd pleaser.
Sources: Archery
Short answer: Shaft, arrowhead, and fletching with a nock
A common arrow has a shaft, an arrowhead at the front, and fletchings and a nock at the back.
Groan of the day: That arrow has all its parts in a row.
Sources: Archery
Short answer: They can be made to uniform specifications easily
Fiberglass arrows are brittle but can be produced to uniform specifications easily.
Groan of the day: Fiberglass arrows are made to measure.
Sources: Archery
Short answer: They are straight, light, and fly fast
Aluminium shafts were popular for straightness, lighter weight, and higher speed with flatter trajectories.
Groan of the day: Aluminium arrows really fly the straight line.
Sources: Archery
Short answer: They are very light and fly fast and flat
Carbon fiber arrows are very light and fly even faster and flatter than aluminium arrows.
Groan of the day: Carbon arrows are light years ahead.
Sources: Archery
Short answer: The arrowhead
The arrowhead is the primary functional component of the arrow.
Groan of the day: The arrowhead is the point of the whole thing.
Sources: Archery
Short answer: Target points, field points, and broadheads
Common arrowhead forms are target points, field points, and broadheads, plus others like judo and blunt heads.
Groan of the day: Those heads are all pointed in the right direction.
Sources: Archery
Short answer: Bird feathers
Fletching is traditionally made from bird feathers, though plastic vanes are also used.
Groan of the day: Feather fletching is a real flight fancy.
Sources: Archery
Short answer: Three
Three fletches is the most common configuration, though as many as six have been used.
Groan of the day: Three fletches are a triple threat in flight.
Sources: Archery
The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.
Think of your answer first, then peek.
An object thrown or shot through the air. A projectile is an object launched through the air, so devices shooting them fast need care and approved locations.
The bow arm from the string. An arm guard, or bracer, protects the inside of the bow arm from being hit by the string.
Scoring rings on black and white faces. NFAA field targets are black and white with scoring rings, and indoor targets are blue.
Keeping form after the release. Follow through means holding your form after release, which helps accuracy and consistency.
Hunting and combat. Historically archery was used for hunting and combat; today it is mainly sport and recreation.
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