Archery Merit Badge Pamphlet Archery Merit Badge

Archery


Requirements were REVISED effective January 1, 2014
(A new pamphlet with these revisions was issued during 2013).

New text is in bold GREEN underlined Serif text like this sentence.
Deleted portions are struck through RED italic text like this sentence.

To see the requirements, without the changes highlighted, Click here.

For the previous requirements, Click here.


  1. Do the following:
    1. State and explain the Range Safety Rules.
      1. Three safety rules when on the shooting line.
      2. Three safety rules when retrieving arrows.
      3. The four whistle commands used on a range and their related verbal commands.
    2. State and explain the general safety rules for archery. Demonstrate how to safely carry arrows in your hands.
    3. Tell about your local and state laws for owning and using archery tackle.
  2. Do the following:
    1. Name and point out the parts of an arrow.
    2. Describe three or more different types of arrows.
    3. Name the four principle materials for making arrow shafts.
    4. Do ONE of the following
      1. Make a complete arrow from a bare shaft using appropriate equipment available to you.
        OR
      2. To demonstrate arrow repair, inspect the shafts and prepare and replace at least three vanes, one point, and one nock. You may use as many arrows as necessary to accomplish this. The repairs can be done on wood, fiberglass, or aluminum arrows.
    5. Explain how to properly care for and store arrows.
  3. Do the following:
    1. Explain how to properly care for and store the proper use, care, and storage of, as well as the reasons for using tabs, arm guards, shooting gloves, and quivers.
    2. Explain the following terms: cast, draw weight, string height (fistmele), aiming, spine, mechanical release, freestyle, and barebow.
    3. Make a bowstring using appropriate materials.
  4. Explain the following:
    1. The importance of obedience to a range officer or other person in charge of a range.
    2. The difference between an end and a round.
    3. The differences among field, target, and 3-D archery.
    4. How the five-color National Archery Association (NAA) or Federation Internationale de Tir à l'Arc (FITA) target is scored.
    5. How the National Field Archery Association (NFAA) black-and-white field targets and blue indoor targets are scored.
    6. The elimination system used in Olympic archery competition.
  5. Do ONE of the following options:
    • Option A - Using a Recurve Bow or Longbow
      1. Name and Point to the parts of the recurve bow or longbow you are shooting.
      2. Explain how to properly care for and store recurve bows and longbows.
      3. Show the nine 10 steps of good shooting for the recurve bow or longbow you are shooting.
      4. Demonstrate the proper way to string a recurve bow or longbow.
      5. Locate Using a bow square, locate and mark with dental floss, crimp-on, or other method, the nocking point on the bowstring of the bow you are using.
      6. Do ONE of the following:
        1. Using a recurve bow or longbow and arrows with a finger release, shoot a single round of ONE of the following BSA, NAA USA Archery, or NFAA rounds:
          1. An NFAA field round of 14 targets and make a score of 60 points.
          2. A BSA Scout field round of 14 targets and make a score of 80 points.
          3. A Junior 900 round and make a score of 180 points.
          4. A An FITA/NAA USA Archery indoor* round I and make a score of 80 points.
          5. An NFAA indoor* round and make a score of 50 points.
          (The indoor rounds may be shot outdoors if this is more convenient.)
          OR
        2. Shooting 30 arrows in five-arrow ends at an 80-centimeter (32-inch) five-color target at 15 10 yards and using the 10 scoring regions, make a score of 150.
          OR
        3. As a member of the NAA's USA Archery Junior Olympic Development Program (JOAD), qualify as a Yeoman, Junior Bowman, and Bowman.
          OR
        4. As a member of the NFAA's Junior Division, earn a Cub or Youth 100-score Progression patch.
    • Option B - Using a Compound Bow
      1. Name and point to the parts of the compound bow you are shooting.
      2. Explain how to properly care for and store compound bows.
      3. Show the nine 10 steps of good shooting for the compound bow you are shooting.
      4. Explain why it is necessary to have the string or cable on a compound bow replaced at an archery shop.
      5. Locate and mark with dental floss, crimp-on, or other method, the nocking point on the bowstring of the bow you are using.
      6. Do ONE of the following:
        1. Using a compound bow and arrows with a finger release, shoot a single round of ONE of the following BSA, NAA USA Archery, or NFAA rounds:
          1. An NFAA field round of 14 targets and make a score of 70 points.
          2. A BSA Scout field round of 14 targets and make a score of 90 points.
          3. A Junior 900 round and make a score of 200 points.
          4. A An FITA/NAA USA Archery indoor* round I and make a score of 90 points.
          5. An NFAA indoor* round and make a score of 60 points.
          (The indoor rounds may be shot outdoors if this is more convenient.)
          OR
        2. Shooting 30 arrows in five-arrow ends at an 80-centimeter (32-inch) five-color target at 15 yards and using the 10 scoring regions, make a minimum score of 160. Accomplish this in the following manner:
          Shoot 15 arrows in five-arrow ends, at a distance of 10 yards
          AND
          Shoot 15 arrows in five-arrow ends, at a distance of 15 yards.
          OR
        3. As a member of the NAA's USA Archery Junior Olympic Development Program (JOAD), qualify as a Yeoman, Junior Bowman, and Bowman.
          OR
        4. As a member of the NFAA's Junior Division, earn a Cub or Youth 100-score Progression patch.

* The indoor rounds may be shot outdoors if this is more convenient.


BSA Advancement ID#: 19
Requirements last updated in: 2013
Pamphlet Publication Number: 35856
Pamphlet Stock (SKU) Number: 618435
Pamphlet Revision Date: 2013

Worksheets for use in working on these requirements: Format
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Page updated on: November 18, 2021



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