The Medieval Fae Fest Archery Tournament: Rules and Regulations

Hark, ye skilled archers and keen-eyed marksmen! Before ye take up your bows in this grand competition, attend to these rules and regulations, that the tournament may be conducted with honor, skill, and safety.

1. The Field of Contest

• The Range: A designated area shall be marked, ensuring ample space for archers and spectators alike. The range shall be inspected and approved by the Tournament Marshal before any arrows are loosed.
• The Targets: Targets shall be of a suitable material to safely receive arrows, marked with scoring zones. The design of the targets may reflect the Fae Fest theme, but must be consistent for all competitors.
• The Shooting Line: A clear line shall be marked, and all archers must stand behind this line when drawing and releasing their bows.
• Safety Zones: Designated areas for archers awaiting their turn, and for spectators, shall be clearly marked and separated from the shooting line. No person shall enter the shooting area while archers are preparing to shoot.

1. The Equipment

• Bows:  These will be provided but archers may use traditional recurve bows, longbows, or other bows deemed appropriate for a medieval-themed competition by the Tournament Marshal. Compound bows and bows with modern sights or stabilizers are not allowed.
• Arrows: We will be providing arrows with the bows.
• Attire: While not mandatory, archers are encouraged to wear attire appropriate to the Medieval Fae Fest theme. This adds to the atmosphere of the event and is highly encouraged.

III. The Rules of the Shoot

• Commands: All archers shall obey the commands of the Tournament Marshal, including:
  • “Line Up”: Archers shall take their positions behind the shooting line.
  • “Nock”: Archers shall prepare to shoot.
  • “Draw”: Archers shall draw their bows.
  • “Loose”: Archers shall release their arrows.
  • “Hold”: Archers shall immediately stop shooting.
  • “Retrieve”: Archers may go forward to collect their arrows.
• Shooting Procedure: Archers shall shoot in rounds, with a set number of arrows per round, as determined by the Tournament Marshal. Archers must shoot at their designated target.
• Scoring: Scoring shall be determined by the Tournament Marshal, based on where the arrow lands on the target. The scoring zones and point values shall be clearly marked on the targets.
• Time Limits: Archers may be given a time limit to shoot their arrows in each round, to ensure the tournament proceeds in a timely manner.
• Faults: The following shall be considered faults: * Shooting before the command to “Loose.” * Crossing the shooting line before the arrow has left the bow. * Drawing a bow when it is not aimed at the target. * Any unsafe handling of the bow or arrows.
• Disqualification: Any archer who commits a fault, violates these rules, or engages in unsportsmanlike conduct may be disqualified from the tournament, at the discretion of the Tournament Marshal.

1. Safety

• All participants must adhere to all safety instructions.
• No horseplay or running is allowed in the shooting area.
• Arrows shall only be nocked and drawn when the archer is on the shooting line and facing the target.
• Alcohol consumption before or during participation in the archery tournament is strictly prohibited.
• The Tournament Marshal has the final say on all safety matters.

1. Disputes

• Any disputes shall be resolved by the Tournament Marshal, whose decision shall be final.

Let the arrows fly true, and may the best archer win the day!

Prizes given at the Tournament Booth.