AAFTA Field Target

Summary

Field Target was born on a typical autumn day, September 7, 1980, in Sussex, England, when over 100 shooters from all over the southern regions of the United Kingdom banded together to try their hand at this new game. The rules at the first match were deceptively simple; estimate the distance to the target, correct the scope settings to compensate for the trajectory of the pellet, and shoot at a paper target stuck to the animal.

Today, the rules remain just as simple, but modern field targets are constructed from a heavy gauge steel to represent a life-sized silhouette of typical small game that can be hunted with an air gun. These animals have a hole cut out in the appropriate “kill-zone”, and a paddle with a bright colored disc fills the space behind this hole. The shooter’s objective is to aim directly for the center of this disc; a direct hit will cause the paddle to rotate backwards and the entire animal will fall over “dead” with a satisfying clank. These animals can be easily reset by pulling the attached string. 

Targets are placed at random distances from 10 yards out to a maximum of 55 yards. Today’s courses set the target animals in environments representative of their natural habitat. Many courses are laid out so that some of the birds may be up in trees, rabbits hiding in bushes, and squirrels “feeding” in the clearing across a stream bed. The only rule pertaining to target placement is that the “kill zone” must be completely visible to the shooter in at least one of the shooting positions, although it does not necessarily have to be the one preferred by the competitors!

Match Facts

• We are an AAFTA member club, and our match will follow AAFTA Rules to the greatest extent possible.
• We hold the AAFTA match on our 3D archery range, which is a wooded walkthrough course.
• Entry cost is rifle $10 per rifle, $6 for pistol and $15 for both. Shooters under 20 shoot free.
• Sight-in and practice 8:00 A.M. to 9:15 A.M.
• Registration is from 8:00 A.M. until 9:15 A.M.
• Add that there will be a mandatory shooters meeting at 9:15 AM and the match will begin at 9:30 AM
• A 20 Foot Pound Maximum applies to all rifles. A 12 Foot Pound Maximum applies to all pistols.
• Open to all shooters. Both club members and non-members.
• Soda, water, and light snacks may be available on a donation basis.
• The match will be shot straight through with no lunch break. Food will not be served. You may bring your lunch and eat in the clubhouse after completing the match if you desire.

Course of Fire

• Rifle course will consist of 30 targets. Pistol course will be 20 targets.
• Rifle distances will be from 10 to 55 yards. Pistol distances will be 10-35 yards.
• Competitors will shoot two shots at each target for score.
• Any shooting position is allowed, but some targets may be designated for Forced Shooting
  Position shots.

Divisions

Additional non-AAFTA classes will be available as participation warrants.

Recommendations for Match Participants

• New shooters are always welcome to come and just observe.
• If you are a new shooter, we will make every effort to squad you with an experienced shooter so you can learn the ropes.

Contact

• For match information, contact airguns@ftrpa.com