Passing this along, I wasn’t there so this is at least second hand info. Apparently there was an accident at TAC W Virginia this weekend involving a local Charlottean. Apparently Luis was searching for a lost arrow, somebody called the target was clear. Luis was struck in the head with an errant arrow. I heard he was flown to a hospital for care. Apparently the arrow missed his brain, but he may have (at least temporary, if not permanent) vision issues in one eye. 1) I know prayers are needed for him. 2) if you have the means, a gofundme was setup, link at bottom. 3) Reminder, for safety talks at shoots…something as easy as leaving your bow in front of target as a warning the range is not clear, can make a difference in situations like this… FWIW- I’ve met Luis once, the gofundme set up by our local Charlotte archery shop owners, the Corderos. https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-luis-after-a-devastating-archery-accident
Wave a flag to let the next group know the target is clear and all shooters are accounted for. NASP uses flags or lights to show that different areas of the target line are clear.
I do have to ask I have never been in or to a 3 D shoot I imagine it is like golfing with 4 some going in groups. Seems like looking for lost arrows would lead to a whole series of problems and delays.
At 3d shoots there normally isn't really a specified group size. You can have anywhere from one solo shooter to up to about 5 or 6 in a group. Generally it is just recommended to keep group sizes at a number that "doesn't back up the course". But aside from that it is very similar to golf, with some bigger groups letting people behind them shoot through too. My understanding of the TAC accident is a missed/lost arrow was being searched for and they did not have anyone standing at the target to show it wasn't safe to shoot. They were in the brush behind the target looking for the arrow. The next group came up to the target and didn't see anyone, so they thought it was safe to send arrows. You're exactly right about lost arrows. Most will give a quick look and move on within a reasonable time, and will leave someone standing at the target to signal it isn't safe to shoot yet. But there are definitely some that spend way too long looking for their arrow and definitely some that don't think about leaving a person at the target to signal it isn't safe.
