Archery Range Safety Inspection

Archery range inspections prevent penetrating injuries from equipment failures and range safety violations. This checklist addresses USA Archery safety standards, ACA archery program requirements, and National Archery Association range safety protocols for summer camp and recreational archery programs.

Industry: Sports and Recreation
Frequency: Before each use session
Estimated Time: 15-20 minutes
Role: Archery Instructor / Program Director
Total Items: 28

Range Layout and Backstop Safety

Inspect range layout, backstop, and safe shooting zone.

Backstop (net, bales, or earthen berm) intact and capable of stopping arrows?
No gaps or holes in backstop that arrows could pass through?
Entire shooting range and beyond-the-target area clear of people?
Range boundary ropes or barriers clearly defining safe and unsafe zones?
No trees, structures, or obstacles deflecting arrow flight unexpectedly?
Shooting line surface even and free of trip hazards?
Targets spaced adequately to prevent arrows crossing between lanes?

Bows and Arrow Equipment

Inspect all archery equipment for safety.

All bows inspected for cracks, delamination, or limb failure?
Bow strings free of fraying, serving separation, or twist abnormalities?
All arrows inspected for bent shafts, damaged fletching, and secure points?
Arrow length matched to bow draw length of participants?
All damaged, cracked, or bent arrows removed from circulation?
Arm guards and finger tabs available for all participants?
Bow draw weights appropriate for age and strength of participants?

Supervision and Range Commands

Verify supervision qualifications and command protocols.

Archery instructor holding current USA Archery or equivalent certification?
Range commands (Shoot, Cease Fire, Retrieve) reviewed with all participants?
Protocol established that no arrows nocked without instructor command?
Arrow retrieval procedure established (all bows down, walk together)?
Instructor to participant ratio within safe limits (maximum 15-20 per instructor)?
Zero tolerance for pointing bows or arrows at people established?
Range access controlled with no unauthorized entry during shooting?

Emergency Readiness and Documentation

Verify emergency preparedness and record keeping.

First aid kit accessible at range with wound care supplies?
Radio or phone to summon emergency assistance accessible at range?
Emergency response procedure posted or known to instructor?
Any participant health conditions affecting safe participation noted?
Equipment condition log updated with any items removed from service?
Range use and inspection log completed for this session?
Weather conditions acceptable for outdoor archery (no lightning, excessive wind)?

Related Sports Recreation Checklists

Related Summer Camps Checklists

Why Use This Archery Range Safety Inspection?

This archery range safety inspection helps sports and recreation teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for archery instructor / program director professionals, this checklist covers 28 critical inspection points across 4 sections. Recommended frequency: before each use session.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Archery Range Safety Inspection cover?

This checklist covers 28 inspection items across 4 sections: Range Layout and Backstop Safety, Bows and Arrow Equipment, Supervision and Range Commands, Emergency Readiness and Documentation. It is designed for sports and recreation operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed before each use session. Each completion takes approximately 15-20 minutes.

Who should use this Archery Range Safety Inspection?

This checklist is designed for Archery Instructor / Program Director professionals in the sports and recreation industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.