This question was brought up on an archery forum the other day and got me thinking. The poster on the forum read: “Why should I go to an archery range instead of a shooting range and what is the difference?” I’ve personally shot both of them, so I know my particular reasons. What would be some of the reasons why you should consider going to an archery range instead of a shooting range?

I should start by saying that if you want to shoot a gun specifically, you should head straight to the shooting range. Shooting arrows and shooting bullets are similar, but they are also extremely different. However, if you’re on the fence, there are a few things that I think set this experience apart.

Line: I can’t speak to all the shooting ranges, because they all vary in size, but at the archery range, you shouldn’t expect a line. Most fields will have a wide open space for shooters and their archery bows. The range I’m going to has 8 lanes. During the week, you can shoot as long as you want. Shooting ranges tend to have reservation policies, or will have lines.

Cost: Depending on the type of shooting you’re doing, shooting ranges can charge anywhere from $15 to $20 just to get in the door, per hour. After that, you have to pay the rent for ammunition and weapons. This price can increase quickly. Most archery ranges charge between 15 and 25 for the archery experience. This workout includes everything you need to hit the range. $25 should get you the rental of all the equipment you need, as well as a 1 hour lesson with trained staff.

Service: I can only talk to my local ranking service. At my rank, I can be sure that I will always receive the training and attention that I need. Every time I have a technical question, it is resolved quickly. If you’re looking for a local archery range, I’d suggest using a website like Yelp before you go. This is how I found my range, and I can say that I am satisfied with my choice.

kid friendly: This is not an intimidating place. When shooting your archery bow at most ranges, you won’t have to worry about recoil, earplugs, or safety glasses. Shooters at a shooting range generally must be over 18 years old, with some even requiring shooters to be over 21 years old. Most archery ranges will allow children to shoot as long as they are over 8 years old.

The profits I made went to my local archery range and the ranges I have been to recently. I don’t think this refers to each and every archery and gun range. However, it applies to many of the ranges I have been to in Southern California. Lines are subjective to your area. Cost, service, and atmosphere are targets based on my experiences. Do you have anything to add to this discussion? Feel free to leave a comment below.