Unusual Archery types - Popinjay

There are a few unusual, slightly odd, less practised, less practical, forms of archery types that I didn't include in my overview of different archery types. I felt that some of these archery types, such as popinjay, flight and horseback archery deserved their own blog. However, don't expect to be able to pop down to your local archery club to practice these types of archery, some are just far to impractical for most archery grounds and possibly not for the feint hearted!

What is popinjay?

Merlin Archery 

Although uncommon, the popinjay is a fun and different way to enjoy archery and is also known as Papingo. The aim is to shoot vertically at a bird (targets, not real birds!!!) from a post often 100 ft high. Somewhat similar to practising shooting birds, but using targets like field archery, so not quite like hunting where your prey will actually move (thankfully!). Although, you can imagine this was a sport derived from something a little harder, such as actually shooting at live birds. The winner is the first to get he bird of its perch. 

Popinjay can be shot using all bow types (compound, recurve and longbow) but is not just for archers, this round is also enjoyed by gun and crossbow shooters. 

It is a great alternative to target archery, though can be somewhat labour-intensive getting the bird targets up on their posts in the first place! Depending on the event the birds can be made from various materials including wood, pipe cleaners and more recently a synthetic material, with various feather additions. 

History

Popinjay is another word for parrot, from the French papegai.  In Germany, bird shooting from a perch is known as Vogelschießen and done typically with a rifle (also in Denmark) or crossbow, and in Canada popinjay is known simply as pole archery. Archery popinjay is a popular round in Belgium (more so than any other country), but sights and any mechanical aids are not permitted (such as compound and cross bows). Kilwinning is England's oldest archery club and has run this since the 15th C, with the first competition record in 1483. Kilwinning is one of the few, possibly only, UK club known to run popinjay competitions.


There are some rumours of a popinjay festival that takes place every year on the first Sunday in May. However, I'm not sure how often the winner gets called "Captain popinjay" or if this is some sort of internet joke - but pictures are most welcome!


Rules

Rules tend to vary as this is such a rare form of archery. Archers are required to use blunt ended arrows (for safety) and to ensure a means of keeping your arrow on your rest when shooting upwards. 

Merlin Archery 

Kilwinning Annual Open and Club, "dingin doun the doo" Competition, Scotland 

A butt shoot can be used to determine the order of shooting (6 dozen arrows at 30 yds 3 ring, 9" target) and the first to shoot the bird of its perch is the winner. The birds wings are loosened and awards are given to those knocking off the wings. At this shoot archers shoot at one bird target 126 ft at the top of the cathedral from the cathedral step. 

GNAS Popinjay 

A popinjay round will include One cock, four hens and at least 24 chicks, with the highest (the cock) set at 90 ft. The size of all targets are 1.5" long and 3/4" wide and 3-12" tall, depending on the target. Chick perches should be 6" long and with 4" minimum separation, Hen perches a minimum of 8" apart and cock bird at least 30" above the top row. 5 points are given for hitting the cock, 3 for a hen and one point for a chick. For safety rigging around the targets should be covered with sponge/rubber and there must be a sheltered space for archers waiting to shoot (or be a good distance away).

Canadian Pole Shooting


The archer with the most points after one hour is the winner. Points are achieved by hitting birds on the 5 rows + 1 King Bird at the tip, with higher birds worth more points. Single birds located on rows 1-3 are worth 1 point, Kullas birds on row 4 worth 2 points and side birds on row 5 worth 3 points. The King bird at the top is worth the maximum, 4 points. The name of "King shooter" for the year is, you guessed it, the first archer to hit the king bird off the top.


Canadian Horizontal Indoor Perch

Shot from a distance of 65 ft at a horizontal perch indoors, generally without a sight. A high bird is worth 4 points, side bird (x2) worth 3, Kalle bird (x2) 2 and 30 small birds worth the least at one point each.  

Where to shoot

5th August 2012 - Medieval Merriment Popinjay competition, Castle Lodge, West Yorkshire, UK, WF8 1QH, £5 entry fee.  


Archery clubs throughout Belgium and Canada.

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Blogs on Horseback Archery and Flight archery coming soon!