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These sports divide into two main types, shooting with guns, and
archery using bows and arrows.
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Within each of these categories there
are different types of weapons (e.g. rifles and pistols, longbows and
crossbows) and targets. The most important distinction
is within shooting, between competitive target shooting (including e.g.
clay pigeon shooting) and field sports (that is shooting game birds, deer
and other live targets).
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More detailed information on these
different activities can be obtained from the specialist organisations
listed below. Many activities take place outdoors, though some
archery and shooting is done inside, often in special long
galleries.
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These are potentially dangerous sports and a degree of
skill in weapon use is essential; gun ownership and use is
particularly tightly controlled.
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Clay Pigeon Shooting Association www.cpsa.co.uk
Great Britain Target Shooting Federation 01702 219395
National Rifle Association www.nra.org.uk/
National Small-Bore Rifle Association www.nsra.co.uk/
Grand National Archery Association www.gnas.org/
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Air Gunner
Clay Shooting
National Rifle Association Journal
Shooting Sports
Shooting Times and Country Magazine
Sporting Gun
Target Sports
The Shooting Gazette |
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Find a local shooting or
archery group
or club (see organisations above).
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See if there are
introductory sessions at your local club sports
centre.
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Consult books or magazines
on different types of projectile sports.
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Check in your local library/paper
or sports centre for more information.
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Skills and people
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These activities can be done by
people of all ages and both sexes, and they involve skill and
concentration rather than great physical effort.
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Both shooting and archery can be practiced on your own providing you
have access to a suitable safe area.
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Many people belong to groups or
clubs in order to get such access and to be part of the competitive
activities.
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You can do the more informal types of activity,
including most field sports, with people of all ages and both sexes, but, in
competitions, you will need to be with people of roughly
the same level of skill as yourself.
Equipment or clothing
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Suitable weapons and targets are obvious essentials in terms of
equipment. In the competitive activities using static targets, these
are often provided by the clubs.
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In field sports, people will
normally have their own weapons and ammunition, which requires a gun
licence.
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Ordinary sports or country clothing is normally worn,
depending on the activity.
A place or facilities
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There are facilities for archery and target shooting in or attached to
many sports centres. Local clubs may have their own premises or
grounds.
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Schools sometimes have archery fields, while military
ranges are often used for outdoor shooting . Clay pigeon shooting is
often organised on an ad hoc basis in the countryside.
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Field sports
rights are closely controlled and access is usually by invitation or
purchase of the right to take part at specific times.
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