Archery equipment

[Fred Johnson]

I need to answer an ARCHERY question. I'm an archery MB counselor and a BSA archery instructor. A troop ASM is going to assist as he's not a registered archery MB counselor. He'd like to bring his personal bow for classroom teaching and range demonstration. I don't know how to answer. My BSA shooting sports guide (forget proper name) is at home and I won't be there anytime soon.

QUESTION - When troops use a BSA camp archery range, can we bring one or two pieces of our own equipment?

I know we can't bring riffles or shotguns when we use the other shooting ranges. On the flip side, the instructors that taught us to be BSA archery instructors brought their own bows and we didn't use the camp bows until we were on the ranges.

Does anyone have the specific BSA answer?

[FieldSports]

I have not seen any material that states you can not use your own bow for instructional or range purposes. However, a specific range or council can have it's own rules. Best to check with the Council and the Ranger for where you will be instructing. LAAC does not restrict personal use for Archery (but does for Rifle, etc.).

Should also make the distinction between use for instructional learning versus use on the range. Having a compound bow, recurve, long bow, and cross bow for demonstration purposes in the class can help in the learning process. Use on the range is the other issue to be addresssed. First is the check with range rules above. Then, safety of the bow (no cracks in limbs, etc). Finally, is the bow appropriate for the shooter (draw weight, draw length, etc.) IMHO, most personal bows are going to be way above the draw weight for the average boy scout.

Good luck with your class

[Fred Johnson]

Thanks. I didn't think of the obvious answer. Ask the ranger. Sometimes I get so caught up in finding the right answer that I forget the easy answer. Thanks! I'll call him right now.