The Hunter Field Target (HFT) event is a competitive air rifle shooting discipline that tests accuracy and skill. Competitors are tests over a course of targets where they stand, kneel or lie down to shoot. Shooters engage various knockdown targets, simulating hunting conditions, with distances ranging from 8 to 45 yards.

Saturday 10th May 2025: The Hunter Field Target is open to all visitors to have a go.

Sunday 11th May 2025: The competition is only open to booked entries. More information will be available soon to pre-book.

Equipment

  • Air Rifles: Only sub-12 ft-lb (foot-pound) air rifles are allowed in HFT, which is the legal limit for air rifles in the UK without a firearms license.
  • Scopes: Scopes are fixed during the competition, meaning shooters can’t adjust the magnification or parallax once the event starts. This makes range-finding and accuracy more challenging.
  • Pellets: Lead or lead-alloy pellets are typically used in the competition.

Targets

  • Knockdown Targets: Targets are shaped like small animals (rabbits, squirrels, etc.) and have a circular “kill zone” in the middle. When a pellet hits this zone, the target falls.
  • Kill Zones: These are usually 15-45 mm in diameter, depending on the target and the range. The size of the kill zone generally gets smaller as the target distance increases.
  • Scoring: If the pellet hits the kill zone and the target falls, the shooter gets full points (usually 2 points). A hit on the target that doesn’t knock it down scores 1 point.

Rules

  • Shooting Positions: Shooters must take their shots from specific positions, like prone, kneeling, or standing. Most targets in HFT are shot from the prone position.
  • No Rangefinders: Shooters are not allowed to use rangefinders to estimate the distance of the targets, so they must rely on their judgment and experience to adjust their aim.
  • Restrictions: As mentioned earlier, adjustments to the scope are not allowed during the course, making accuracy and range estimation more difficult.

Course Setup

  • Mixed Distances and Angles: Targets are placed at varying distances and angles, mimicking real-world hunting conditions.
  • Natural Environment: The course is set up in the woodland area of The Yorkshire Event Centre. Set in a natural woodland environment, the competition mimics the realism of the hunting simulation.

Rules

  • Rounds: A typical competition consists of multiple rounds with 30 to 40 targets.
  • Classes: There are different classes for equipment, such as separate categories for spring-powered rifles and pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) rifles. Shooters may also be grouped by skill levels, such as novice, intermediate, or expert.

Strategy

  • Range Estimation: A key skill in HFT is accurately estimating the distance to the target, as scopes cannot be adjusted for magnification or parallax once the competition starts.
  • Wind Reading: Wind can significantly affect pellet trajectory, especially at longer ranges, so shooters need to read wind conditions carefully.