https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_archeryThe oldest depictions of combat, found in Iberian cave art of the Mesolithic, show battles between archers.
Thus I began a fruitless search for "Archery self defense" and found the following:
- "You cannot maneuver a bow indoors, so it would be useless."
- "An arrow wouldn't instantly kill the attacker like a gun would." (eyeroll)
- "I'd just reach for my handgun."
- "Would you even have time to string a bow?"
Now for my findings about the current state of Archery clubs and competition, with regard to the tactics of war and combat.
In competitive archery, nearly all formats are of the stand-and-shoot formal style. Archers stand on a line and shoot at a target, or fly arrows into a field shooting for distance. Some informal archery games exist, and there is some historical re-enactment. Field archery is a bit more realistic, involving walking a course and shooting targets at varying distances. Then there is 3D archery, which I cannot distinguish from field archery, except that it uses exclusively animal targets.
Altogether the vibe I get is that modern archery has placed significant distance between the Sport and the use of bows in War. I even encountered notable distaste towards using silhouette-style targets (even IDPA cardboard figures). I also took notice that archery has general appeal and is unburdened by popular vitriol against such things as "High-Capacity Assault Bows," such that people who would generally be opposed to bearing arms seem to have no qualms about taking up a bow and arrows. Indeed I think I could speak freely about my love of bows and arrows without being shunned as a "Bow nut."
In summary, the appeal is thus:
- Very low-tech and sustainable skill for survival, hunting
- Unlikely to face significant regulation in the ongoing war on RKBA
- Can be practiced in places where firearms practice is prohibited
- Probably can travel with bow, carry while backpacking, and unless I actually take an animal would not draw official suspicion or scrutiny.
- Not especially expensive or high-maintenance
- Seems like fun, Wife would try it too.
Am I just being foolish?
Should I just get a bow, damn the worries, and pierce some targets however I please?