News and Updates

Pennsic 53 Archery Information: This section highlights the current year’s staffing, schedules, special events, and operating details for Pennsic Target Archery. Use it as the go-to place for dates, hours, volunteer needs, featured shoots, and other event-specific updates.

Annual Quick Info

  • Marshal orientation: Multiple sessions are offered during Pennsic; attendance is required for target archery marshals and marshals in training
  • Peace Week: Setup begins Monday, July 27; limited practice and Royal Rounds run July 29 through July 31, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
  • War Week: General range hours begin Sunday, August 2, typically 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • Populace war point shooting: Generally available beginning at 11:00 am during War Week
  • Special closures: Tuesday, August 4 is closed to populace shooting for the Champions’ War Point
  • Featured events: Heroic Head to Head, Ullr’s Games, classes, tournaments, and novelty shoots
  • Volunteer help needed: Marshals are needed throughout Peace Week and at final tear-down
  • Best source for current schedules: Pennsic University Thing and the range marshal’s tent

Use the sections below to quickly find this year’s required orientations, operating hours, special events, and key contacts.

Archery Marshal Orientation

All target archery marshals and marshals in training must attend one Pennsic Target Archery Orientation session before serving on the range.

Orientation sessions are held in the Archery Marshal’s Tent on the archery range. The most accurate archery schedule is published in the Pennsic University Thing, and volunteer marshals are encouraged to sign up for shifts to help keep the range open.

  • Orientation sessions: Monday, July 27, about 12:30 pm, after range setup
  • Additional session: Wednesday, July 29, 10:00 am in Archery Marshal’s Tent
  • Additional session: Friday, July 31, 3:00 pm in Archery Marshal’s Tent
  • Additional session: Sunday, August 2, 2:00 pm in Archery Marshal’s Tent
  • Additional session: Wednesday, August 5, 8:30 am in Archery Marshal’s Tent

The season begins with setup, limited practice, and volunteer support during Peace Week.

Peace Week

  • Setup: Monday, July 27 at 9:30 am
  • Volunteer note: Volunteers do not need to be in garb
  • Please bring: Gloves, water, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes
  • Practice hours: Wednesday, July 29 through Friday, July 31, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, marshal availability permitting
  • Activities: Practice and Royal Rounds
  • Volunteer help needed: Peace Week archery requires support for six two-hour shifts, with at least four marshals per shift for safe operation

War Week brings full range operations, populace shooting, featured competitions, and end-of-week tear-down.

War Week

  • General hours: Beginning Sunday, August 2, the archery ranges are generally open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • Practice window: Populace war point practice is generally available from 9:00 am to 11:00 am
  • Scored shooting: Begins at 11:00 am
  • Featured event: Heroic Head to Head takes place Sunday, August 2 at 9:00 am
  • Special closure: Tuesday, August 4 is closed to populace shooting for the Archery Champions’ War Point
  • Spectators: Welcome behind the safety lines during the Champions’ War Point
  • End-of-week schedule: The practice range is taken down Thursday, August 6 at about 3:00 pm
  • Final day: Friday, August 7, weather permitting, the range opens at 9:00 am for populace war point shooting only and closes for tear-down at 1:00 pm
  • Volunteer help needed: Final pack-out assistance is greatly appreciated

In addition to range hours and war point activities, Pennsic Target Archery offers classes and featured event programming throughout the week.

Classes, Tournaments, Novelty Shoots

  • Start date: July 29
  • Who can attend: Open to all
  • What to expect: Archery classes, tournaments, and novelty shoots
  • Full schedule: Check the Pennsic schedule online or the printed copy in the archery marshal’s tent

Ullr’s Games: A Known World Archery Challenge

How to help: Anyone interested in making prizes, donating prizes, or sponsoring a prize should contact the marshals in charge

Date: Middle Saturday, August 1

Format: A Known World archery challenge featuring about 10 target stations arranged for smoother shooting and retrieval

What makes it special: Targets are contributed by different kingdoms, making it one of the range’s most distinctive featured events

Prizes: Awarded across Royal Round rank levels, from Archer through Grand Bowman Elite

Extra recognition: An additional prize is given for the target design selected by the populace

Welcome to Pennsic Target Archery. Whether you are visiting for practice, competition, classes, or novelty shoots, the range offers a welcoming place to enjoy target archery during the war.

Pennsic Target Archery is run by volunteers and supported by marshals from across the Known World. This page covers the long-term information most visitors need, while current schedules, staffing, and event-year updates appear in the annual section below.

Looking for this year’s details? Check the annual update section for current staff, schedules, range hours, and event-specific information.

Quick Info

  • Location: Southwest of the Main Battlefield, beyond Oversized Parking
  • Activities: Practice, scored shoots, classes, tournaments, and novelty events
  • Terrain: Hills, uneven ground, and natural field conditions
  • Footwear: Protective shoes are strongly recommended
  • Equipment: Bring your own safe, functional gear
  • Inspection: Equipment must be inspected before shooting
  • Youth archers: Welcome under current Pennsic youth and supervision rules
  • Current details: See the annual update section for schedules, staffing, and event-year information

Plan Your Visit

Location: The archery range is southwest of the Main Battlefield, beyond Oversized Parking. Because it is not visible from the main campground areas, visitors should check current access information before heading out.

Accessibility and terrain: The range team works to make the area as accessible as possible, but visitors should be prepared for hills, uneven ground, rocks, and natural field conditions. Protective footwear is strongly recommended. Transportation and access details may vary by year, so please review the annual update before visiting.

What you’ll find: Pennsic Target Archery offers practice time, scored shoots, classes, tournaments, and novelty events throughout the war. Specific schedules and featured events are listed in the annual update section.

Hospitality: The archery populace hospitality tent may offer shade, drinks, snacks, and a place to rest during range hours. Current offerings, volunteer needs, and donation information are listed in the annual update section.

Know Before You Go

Youth Archers

Youth archers are welcome in accordance with current Children at Pennsic policies and range supervision requirements. A parent or other responsible adult may assist when needed. Please check the annual update for any youth-specific opportunities or current-year guidance.

Archery Equipment

Bring equipment that is safe, functional, and in good condition. Pennsic Target Archery does not provide loaner gear, so archers should arrive with their own equipment or make private arrangements before visiting.

Inspections

All equipment must be inspected at the range before shooting. Shared equipment must be inspected with each archer who will use it. Re-inspection is required if equipment is modified, damaged, or repaired.

Archery War Points

Archery war point activities typically include both champion-level competition and populace shooting opportunities during War Week. Current themes, targets, schedules, and event names are provided in the annual update section.