Safety Zone Rules

Below is the functional interpertations of the new Atlantian Archery Range Rules.

The full and official rules can be found here Archery Rules, but the portion which have caused the most questions and are discussed on this page are:

3.9.3.2 Safety Zones 3.9.3.2.1 Safety zones need to be clearly marked off. However, visually obvious safety zones (such as a field full of targets with ample space between them), are allowable. 3.9.3.2.2 At a minimum, each shooting station will have a safety zone that extends 30 degrees from each end of the shooting line to a line even with the furthest target, or 50 yards, whichever is closer. The safety zone will then extend 100 yards from all points on the shooting line, or half the distance from the shooting line to a line parallel to the farthest target, whichever is greater. A larger safety zone is recommended if possible. A waiver may be requested for shorter ranges provided there is a physical barrier, which will stop arrows. This waiver must be requested in writing from the DEM-Target Archery only and approval must be received in writing and retained by the Marshal in charge at the site. The DEM-Target Archery may provide restrictions in order to use the modified range, such as restricting bow type and poundage. 3.9.3.2.3 Physical barriers such as a hill, permanent solid backstop, a wall, etc can be used to reduce the amount of safety zone needed. However, the barrier must completely cover the safety zone in order to count. A small barrier that could be shot around is not sufficient. 3.9.3.2.4 Archery netting can not be used to reduce safety ranges, but is encouraged to help archers recover missed arrows.

How these are applied:

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LENGTH of the Safety Zone

For all ranges the safety zone must be a minimum of 100 yards long or the distance to the furthest target plus half that distance again behind that target.

Any range with targets out to about 65 yards from the shooting line will have to be a full 100 yards long including the required safety zone behind the target. For ranges with target further then about 65 yards from the shooting line will need to have half the distance between the shooting line and the furthest target as a safety zone behind the furthest target.

Examples:
• A range with a 20 yard Target, will need to be 100 yards from shooting line to end of the safety zone.
• A range with a 40 yard Target, will need to be 100 yards from shooting line to end of the safety zone.
• A range with a 80 yard Target, will need to be 120 yards from shooting line to end of the safety zone. As 80 yards plus 1/2 of 80 yards is greater then 100 yards.
• A range with a 100 yard Target, will need to be 150 yards from shooting line to end of the safety zone. As 100 yards plus 1/2 of 100 yards is greater then 100 yards.

Notes on range length
• Archery Netting DOES NOT shorten the safety zone required
• An indoor range does not need a waiver
• The verdict is still out on how tall of a hill or other "physical barrier" is required to shorten the safety zone, for now a waiver is required
• Please note that the NEW rule *always* measures the safety zone starting at the shooting line. Where the OLD rule the safety zone was measured starting at the furthest target.

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WIDTH of the Safety Zone

For all ranges the safety zone extends at a minimum of a 30 degree angle off each end of the shooting line back to a distance of 50 yards then the safety zone continues straight back from there.

An easy method of measuring this is for every 5 yards between the furthest target and the shooting line, there needs to be 3 yards* of safety zone to EACH side of the width of the shooting line at furthest target.

* The actual width is 2.88675 yards but that rounds off nicely to 3 yards

Examples:
• A range with a 20 yard Target, and a single shooting station. The safety zone will be 12 yards from each side of the target, for a total of 24 yards wide at the target.
• A range with a 20 yard Target, and a 10 yard wide shooting line. The safety zone will be 12 yards from each side of the target plus the width of the shooting line, for a total of 34 yards wide at the target.
• A range with a 40 yard Target, and a 10 yard wide shooting line. The safety zone will be 24 yards from each side of the target plus the width of the shooting line, for a total of 58 yards wide at the target.
• A range with a 50 yard Target, and a 10 yard wide shooting line. The safety zone will be 30 yards from each side of the target plus the width of the shooting line, for a total of 70 yards wide at the target.
• A range with a 80 yard Target, and a 10 yard wide shooting line. The safety zone will be 30 yards from each side of the target plus the width of the shooting line, for a total of 70 yards wide at the target.

Notes on range width
• Archery Netting DOES NOT narrow the safety zone required
• An indoor range does not need a waiver
• The verdict is still out on how tall of a hill or other "physical barrier" is required to narrow the safety zone, for now a waiver is required