The Traditional Bowhunters of Florida (TBOF) prides itself as an organization that serves to provide safe, fun outdoor recreation to individuals and families with an interest in practicing and promoting those skills inherent to shooting traditional archery equipment which include longbows, recurves and self bows. 

Each year in January, March and August, TBOF holds archery competitions in the Ocala National Forest at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s, Ocala Conservation Center. Bowshooters have multiple opportunities to perfect their skills on a practice range, a fun range and two competition ranges. The latter ranges are designed as a leisurely walk through palmetto/oak/pine uplands and mesic cypress/myrtle lowland areas. The ranges are comprised of a series of life size 3-D foam animals ranging from rabbits to elk. Participants are stationed at designated shooting stakes in mock hunting situations and loose their arrows, in turn, at the foam targets with points given for specific shot placements.

Regardless of location; practice or competition ranges, all bowshooters are required to follow specific rules in order to make the shoot safe and enjoyable for all of our members. Failure to follow these rules will result in removal from the range. 

PRACTICE RANGE RULES

• All shooters must stand behind shooting line at all times until arrows are collectively pulled.
• No shooter shall cross the shooting line until an “all clear” has been issued by the designated Range Captain. 
• Bows shall be hung on the designated bow racks when arrows are pulled. No bows shall cross the shooting line at any time.
• Never leave bows or arrows lying on the ground. 
• Nocked arrows shall only be pointed down range. Never point a nocked arrow at anything or anyone except the target butt. 
• Shooting will only resume when the Range Captain issues a second “all clear” after ALL shooters have returned to the shooting line. 
• Parents are responsible for their children.

• All shooters must stand at the target stake when shooting. At no time will arrows be loosed from any location except the designated target stake. ( Men, orange; Women/Youth, green; Cubs, white)
• All shooters shall stand behind the target stake until all archers have loosed their arrows. 
• Archers shall shoot one arrow per target, in turn.
• Nocked arrows shall always be pointed down range. Never point a nocked arrow at anything or anyone except the 3-D target.
• If a person is walking down the trail, refrain from shooting until they have passed. 
• All bows are to remain at the target stake while arrows are scored and pulled. 
• Never leave bows or arrows lying on the ground.
• If looking for lost arrows, always leave at least one group member at the target stake. 
• Competition ranges are open only during scheduled shooting times. Do not enter trails during other times. 
• Parents are responsible for their children.