Meet our latest archery target!
Fondly named “Gripper” by club members, he was born out of our quest for reality in our training.
Most modern archery focuses on circular targets which can get a bit boring. We are a traditional club, practicing traditional warfare archery, so I was looking for a target with a bit more “meat” to it!
So, after much Blue Peter style construction using cardboard, tape, cloth etc, “Gripper” was born!
There is something very powerful about firing at a more realistic target. There is a real adrenalin rush that makes the whole experience much more visceral.
You really feel as if you are firing at a mugger coming towards you!
We started with safe chest shots, or disabling arm/leg shots, moving on to throat, head, even eye shots as our aim steadily improved!
After each session, Gripper was fairly beat up, but in the best traditions of the bionic man I was able to rebuild him, if not better, then certainly hairier!
Gripper lasted through several incarnations, the most attractive of which are featured in the photo gallery with this article. He finally succumbed, but went the way he would have wanted- a target for my Katana & double axes!
Gripper may be gone, but he will be missed & his memory will live on forever!
Watch this space for future archery articles. Wait until you see my plans for our next target!
