The GNAS Motto is "Union, Trueheart and Courtesie". This page is mostly about the latter.

The following is a fairly unstructured collection of rules, etiquette and (probably) odd thoughts from members on how they'd like to see fellow archers behave. Funny how noise gets mentioned so much...
The complete RULES are in the GNAS and FITA rule book; the GNAS rule book also lists the main points of archery etiquette. A good reference guide can also be found at the Balbardie Archers website :

http://www.archery.greatxscape.net/archref/archref.htm

NOTES

1. Keep 5 yards behind the shooting line when not shooting -umbrellas and equipment must be 10 yards behind the shooting line. Noise levels should be kept down while shooting is taking place.
   
2. Unless specifically asked to do so by the field captain, non-participants must not go forward to the targets with the archers. As you are responsible for your guests, you can always ask the field captain for permission for them to do so if you wish.
   
3. Unless express permission is given by the owner, never touch other people's equipment, not even the arrows in the target. The only exception to this rule is when the arrows are found "in the green". The correct procedure there is: draw the arrow carefully out of the ground and stand it point down in the ground where it was found.
   
4. When drawing other archers arrows from the target, (when asked to) do so with as much care as though they were your own (or more!), and hand them back sideways on so you don;t poke anyone with a sharp nock or pile.
   
5. Do not approach the shooting line just as an adjacent archer is coming up to full draw, and similarly, do not leave the shooting line under the same circumstances. Wait until they have completed their shot before you do anything that may distract them (FITA rules differ here - you MUST leave the line as soon as you finish your end under FITA rules)
   
6. Remember that when competing in a tournament, practice is not allowed on the same grounds on that day.
   
7. In the absence of the field captain, the senior archer on the field always takes on that responsibility.
   
8. When arriving at the club for practice, please remember to ask the archers already shooting, where there are 2 or more, if you may share their target. It may be that you could be interrupting a high scoring or qualifying round.
   
9. Finally, please remember courtesy and good manners do not cost anything but they achieve a great deal! If the above is adhered to, then this will reflect in the good-standing of your club and enable all archers to enjoy their chosen sport.

Most of it is simple common-sense, meant to make archery enjoyable and to preserve good humour while not spoiling other people's concentration. Etiquette helps a club to run smoothly and is a must at tournaments.

General.

• Do not talk in a load voice when others are shooting.

• Do not talk to an archer who obviously prefers to be left alone.

• Do not offer advice unless asked for.

• Do not exclaim on the shooting line, (either in joy or disgust. Swear words should be expressed inwardly, however your whole archery will benefit if bad temper can be banished altogether. )

• Do not touch other archers equipment without their permission.

• Do not linger while retrieving arrows or while walking back from the target.

• Do not leave litter.

• Do leave that transistor radio/TV at home !. [This was never in the GNAS etiquette manual... - Ed]

• Do keep your children and dogs well back from the shooting line and, if possible out of earshot.

• Do not inflict your problems on other archers while shooting is going on, they may have their own to contend with.

• Do not go on using club equipment for too long, other newcomers may need it.

• Do not laugh when a good archer is going through a bad patch, it's a desperate business, and you won't escape it either. [Ha! There speaks experience... - Ed]

Target days, Matches and Tournaments.

• Do not be late.

• Leave nothing on the shooting line, except for foot markers.

• When shooting in 2's, do not place yourself on the centre mark.

• Keep your equipment behind the waiting line.

• Do not walk up and down the line comparing scores.

• Give you score to the target scorer in the following way: Highest score first, and in 2 groups of 3, e.g. 9-7-7 pause, 5-3-1.

• Retrieve arrows .which have dropped in front of the target before the scores are taken down.

• Do not pass behind the target until the scores have been recorded.

• Keep to the left when leaving the shooting line or walking beyond the target.

• Pay on the spot if you damage somebody's arrows through your own carelessness [This is getting a bit impractical nowadays, with the price of X-10's etc. - but at least offer and mean it! - Ed].

• If you have shot badly, do not spoil your friends success with your misery!.