Orientation Packet

Welcome to Texans Archery Club!  Here’s what you need to know:

Range Safety Rules
  • All shooters must sign-in, agree to Liability Waiver and display proper ID on range.
  • All children and guests must be supervised and with parent/member. Shooters under 10 are allowed in Form Wall and Training Ranges ONLY, unless Range Officer gives permission subject to “Range Certification”. Novice shooters and those testing new equipment, please use Form Wall.
Range Certification is a proficiency test of shooting six arrows at a round target of approximately 12 inches diameter. In order to move to a range offering longer distance, you must hit the target with five, out of six, arrows to move up an additional five yards. Starts at 10 yards.
  • All ranges are target and field point only. We allow broadhead testing on one designated area ONLY. Crossbows have a designated range ONLY.
  • Report any problems to Range Officer. Range Officer controls all shooting.
  • Inspect all equipment before using.
  • No dry firing a bow or “sky draws”, keep bow level as you draw.
Each range has a designated firing line, portable targets are available to use also. Everyone shoots from the same firing line. Ranges that have a course construction, like the 3D Woods Range, have marked lanes indicating shooting direction. Be observant of other shooters, or people, in the area. Competitions will designate a shooting position, otherwise shoot at a comfortable distance between the lane marker and target.
  • Shooting etiquette is observed at all times.
Participants on each range separately act as a group – all shoot, wait and pull together! Six arrows max per End. No bows in hands while people are downrange. When you are done shooting, store your bow to demonstrate to your fellow shooters that you are finished.  If you miss a target and need to look for a lost arrow, inform your fellow shooters (if on the woods course, signal all following shooters you are behind a target by laying bow across target face/stick an arrow in the target backstop’s top). On firing lines: if you drop an arrow while loading that drops in front of firing line, you may reuse it by dragging it to the firing line with your bow. If the arrow goes beyond this bow reach, LEAVE IT. Do not run out in front of an active firing line.
Shooting whistle commands are used for some competitions or classes – 2 whistles = get bow, archers stand ready at firing line, do not touch arrows; 1 whistle = load arrows and commence shooting; 3 whistles = cease fire, all clear, store bows, advance to pull arrows; 4 = whistles STOP everything, DO NOT Shoot, there is an emergency.
  • Before nocking an arrow, make sure no one is downrange. Arrows are nocked only on firing line, and pointed only at target or ground.
  • Proper pulling of arrows required. Pick up arrows on ground first. No spectators allowed at target or in range area. Deposit arrows in quivers and wait (No bow in hand, behind firing line) until all shooters have returned.
Think safety first.


Elm Fork Range: www.DallasArchery.com &    www.ElmFork.com

Range Hours
Range Hours for TAC Members and their Guests :
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wed - Fri noon – 6pm
Sat & Sun 9am – 6pm

(note that these differ slightly from the hours for the Elm Fork Shotgun/Rifle/Pistol ranges and pro shops)

Note: We have loaner equipment available at no extra charge,  so you do not need to have your own gear. Just show up and shoot! This equipment is stored for members only in the Practice Range shed. It is an honor system – return it where you found it. If you damage an arrow ($1) or lose an arrow ($3), please make a donation in the safe by the bulletin board – same place you deposit guest fee ($5).

 

Parking

Parking is restricted to the Shotgun Sports parking lot. If you have a Handicapped vehicle license you may park at the loading area next to the Practice Range.  If you have a lot of gear or supplies for a project or event, you may drive to the Practice Range area and drop them off. Then you will need to move your vehicle to the parking lot. There is a lot of golf cart and ATV traffic on the path to the archery area, and its safer for everyone if traffic from full-size vehicles is minimized.

The Shotgun Sports Clubhouse has real restrooms and a changing/shower room that you are welcome to use. There is a porta-potty in the archery area as well.

 

Proper ID is required!

TAC members are issued a red lanyard to which their TAC membership card must be attached (one per family). While using the archery facilities you must wear your lanyard; this gives the EF staff an easy visual indicator that you are an authorized shooter.  Public shooters will be issued a blue lanyard and temporary card when they sign-in. TAC Guests must be accompanied by the TAC Member when they are shooting.

Unauthorized users will be asked to leave the archery area by Elm Fork personnel.

Sign-In Process

TAC members, please sign-in (notebook) at the bulletin board when you shoot. Public shooters on Saturdays must sign-in with Range Officer on duty at the Practice Range to pay fee, receive orientation, etc. You do not need to check in at the Shotgun Pro-Shop; proceed directly to the archery area. TAC Guests are to pay a $5 per person fee; please place the fee in the deposit safe by the bulletin board on the Practice Range.

TAC membership application includes a Waiver of Liability, use common sense please – YOU ARE LIABLE FOR YOURSELF AND GUEST. TAC a division of Texas Archery Club assumes no liability.

Ranges

The ranges are described on the website and illustrated on the aerials. They were created to assist the archer develop in skill. We ask all newcomers to attend one of our Intro to Archery Classes. If you are novice or have small kids, or have new equipment to tune, please start at the Form Wall – you can not miss, lose, or damage equipment. Perfect place to have success, get confident. Work on your form, alignment, aim, and shot execution – this builds accuracy and consistency.

Now move to the Practice Range. Work on judging distance, 10-50 yards. Backstops are large and built for all power of bows. Yardage is marked on the top lefthand corner on each backstop. The entire area has a BIG skip wall.  Then explore the elevated shooting platform. Built for Parent-Youth safe practice to introduce elevation and angle to your skill set in how you aim. There are plenty of 3D animal targets (stumps) for you to practice on before venturing into the 3D Range. We suggest you keep the kids shooting in this area to minimize lost arrows. The woods of the 3D Range do not have backstops, only skip walls.

The FITA-Long Distance Range allows you to test your skill, especially if you are used to the confines of your backyard!

The 3D Range is unique in that animal targets are always out. Most clubs only put out targets on a scheduled shoot day or tournament. We also have tournament targets reserved, that are stored in our camo container you walk by from the parking lot. The 3D Range is 20 lanes marked by permanent red signs. These mark the direction to shoot. Shoot from a comfortable distance between the sign and target. Most lanes have multiple targets and some have optional stands (use at your own risk, kids must be with parent). Competitions will have markers set out to shoot from for equipment divisions. Participate in a tournament or league…get some experience while having fun.

There are several other areas available. We use the Instruction Range for group classes. Broadhead Range for practicing with hunting broadhead tips. The ONLY area for broadheads. Target and field tip arrows are to be used on any other range areas.

The property offers a unique attribute – it is mostly surrounded by WATER. This means the opportunity to have a Bowfishing Range… in development.

Plano Range (Texas Archery Academy):  www.TexasArcheryAcademy.org

Range Hours
Range Hours for TAC Members and their Guests :
Monday Closed
Tues - Sun 11am – 7pm

TRUGLO Shooter’s Club members have extended hours (24×7)

Note: We have loaner equipment available at no extra charge, both recurve and Genesis compound bows, so you do not need to have your own gear. Just show up and shoot! This equipment for members must be checked out and drivers license deposited. Damaged arrows are $1, Unshootable arrows are $3.

Parking

Parking is ample in front of the Main Entrance. The west side parking area is for the TRUGLO Shooter’s Club membership entrance.

Proper ID is required!

TAC members are issued a red lanyard to which their TAC membership card must be attached (one per family). While using the archery facilities you must wear your lanyard; this gives the staff an easy visual indicator that you are an authorized shooter.   TAC Guests must be accompanied by the TAC Member when they are shooting.

Sign-In Process

TAC members, please sign-in when you shoot. Public shooters must sign-in with Range Officer on duty receive orientation, etc.  TAC Guests are to pay a $5 per person fee.

TAC membership application includes a Waiver of Liability, use common sense please – YOU ARE LIABLE FOR YOURSELF AND GUEST. TAC a division of Texas Archery Club assumes no liability.

Ranges

You are part of the only range of this type in the state! The Archery Academy offers you multiple levels of instruction (as described under “Programs”) and the only size of facility like this in the state, maybe the country.

We ask all newcomers to attend one of our Intro to Archery Classes. If you are novice or have small kids, or have new equipment to tune, please start at the Form Wall – you can not miss, lose, or damage equipment. Perfect place to have success, get confident. Work on your form, alignment, aim, and shot execution – this builds accuracy and consistency.

Now move to the Arena Ranges. Work on building distance, 10-55 yards. The ranges are progressive starting at 10 yards you advance to the next 5 yards in distance by shooting the proficiency test at each range. This helps group archers by skill and challenges development. There are portable targets to use as well, including 3D targets.

Classes are held in the Training Range. We can hold classes of 30 shooters!

For a fun outing try our dedicated 3D Room Range with moving targets! Pop-up, flying, traveling… try to hit them. There are stationary animals too. Shoot from the firing line, sit in the blind, or climb the elevated platform. Our broadhead testing area is located here – the very most right lane ONLY (special broadhead cube target to shoot).

Any questions? clint@TexasArcheryAcademy.org