Winter Archery in Toronto

If you're one of those people who look at the weekly forecasts on the regular basis you may have noticed that in Toronto it is actually relatively warm during November and December.

Not so much in January or February, but let's focus on the good stuff here.

What that means is that you can do archery during November, December and March and it isn't really even that cold outside in Toronto during those months.

Frequently there won't even be snow on the ground, like there is none right now, because it has a tendency to just melt during November, December and March.

So you dress warm, you go do archery, you bring some coffee or hot chocolate, shoot, have fun, and go home when you're hungry (as opposed to going home when you're cold).

But let's pretend you do want to do archery in January or February, what should you do? Well, here's a few tips:

#1. Buy Snow Pants. Seriously, you will never regret having snow pants when it is really cold outside.

#2. Get a nice stainless steel Thermos that is vacuum sealed so it keeps your drinks very hot.

#3. Wear lots of warm layers, especially around your core (chest, abdomen, etc). If you keep your core warm then your body will circulate more warm blood to your extremities.

#4. Wear two pairs of socks.

#5. Go to the bathroom BEFORE you leave.

#6. Buy Winter Archery Gloves (possibly from Gary at Basically Bows Archery)

#7. Bring hot food with you OR eat before you leave.

#8. Long Underwear. Like the snow pants, it is seriously worth it.

#9. Travel light. Bring the least amount of your archery equipment as you can, so you're not exhausting yourself with unnecessary gear.

#10. Take breaks to just relax.

#11. Bring a blanket for your breaks.

#12. Bring pocket warmers, either the electric ones that charge using USB, or the chemical ones.

#13. Invite a friend and send them this list so you have someone to talk to. Do not invite anyone who ignores this list because they'll wuss out when it gets too cold for them. Also, do not ignore this list yourself either.

#14. Pray to Ullr, the Norse god of skiing and archery. Just because he's awesome.

#15. Have fun shooting!

Historical Fiction Books with Archery

Here's a list of historical fiction books where archery plays an important role in the story:

1. "Arrow's Fall" by Judith Tarr: Set in medieval England during the reign of Richard the Lionheart, this novel follows the story of Alric, a skilled archer who becomes entangled in a web of political intrigue.

2. "The Archer's Tale" by Bernard Cornwell: Part of "The Grail Quest" trilogy, this book is set during the Hundred Years' War and follows the adventures of Thomas of Hookton, an archer seeking a stolen relic.

3. "Daughter of the Forest" by Juliet Marillier: Based on the Celtic legend of the Seven Swans, this book tells the story of Sorcha, who must weave shirts from nettles to break a curse on her brothers, and archery plays a pivotal role in her journey.

4. "Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel: Set in the court of Henry VIII, this novel features historical characters such as Thomas Cromwell, who is known for his archery skills and cunning politics.

5. "The Outlaws of Sherwood" by Robin McKinley: A retelling of the Robin Hood legend, this book follows Robin's band of outlaws, with archery being a central skill in their struggle against injustice.

6. "The Warbow" by Angus Donald: This book focuses on the adventures of Alan Dale, an archer in the service of Robin Hood, during the tumultuous times of the Crusades and the Plantagenet era.

7. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak: Although not entirely historical fiction, this novel is set in Nazi Germany and features Liesel Meminger, who develops a fascination with archery as an escape from the horrors of war.

8. "Agincourt" by Bernard Cornwell: Another historical fiction by Cornwell, this book revolves around the famous Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years' War, where archery prowess plays a decisive role.

9. "The Forestwife" by Theresa Tomlinson: A retelling of the Robin Hood legend from the perspective of Maid Marian, who learns the art of archery and disguises herself to aid the poor and oppressed.

10. "The King's Arrow" by Michael Cadnum: This book follows the story of Geoffrey, a young archer who becomes entangled in the dangerous intrigue of the English court during the reign of King Henry VIII.

These historical fiction books beautifully capture the essence of archery in different historical contexts, providing readers with a fascinating blend of adventure, skill, and historical accuracy.

Fantasy Books with Archery

 

1. "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien: Legolas, one of the members of the Fellowship of the Ring, is an elven archer known for his remarkable archery skills and keen eyesight.

2. "Graceling" by Kristin Cashore: The main character, Katsa, possesses a special skill called a Graced talent, and hers is the ability to be a deadly archer.

3. "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas: The protagonist, Celaena Sardothien, is an assassin and a skilled archer, and her marksmanship plays a significant role in the story.

4. "The Ranger's Apprentice" series by John Flanagan: The main character, Will, is a Ranger's apprentice and is trained in the art of archery among other skills.

5. "The Chronicles of Prydain" series by Lloyd Alexander: The character Taran, an assistant pig-keeper, becomes skilled with a bow and arrows during his adventures.

6. "The Wheel of Time" series by Robert Jordan: Many characters in this epic fantasy series, including Perrin Aybara and Faile Bashere, are proficient archers.

7. "The Way of Kings" by Brandon Sanderson: The character Shallan Davar is an accomplished archer and artist in this first book of the Stormlight Archive series.

8. "The Legend of Drizzt" series by R.A. Salvatore: Drizzt Do'Urden, a dark elf, is a highly skilled archer, and his bowmanship aids him in numerous battles.

9. "The Green Rider" by Kristen Britain: The main character, Karigan G'ladheon, becomes a member of the king's messengers and learns archery as part of her training.
   

10. "The Adventures of Wrathgar" series by Charles Moffat: Wrathgar Baarstammderstark uses his archery and woodsman skills to help people, solve murder mysteries and fight against evildoers.
    

Indoor Archery Ranges and University Archery Clubs in Toronto

There aren't a lot of options for indoor archery ranges in Toronto. Most people usually just use the outdoor range, the Toronto Archery Range, located at E. T. Seton Park.

1. Archers Arena: Located at 1140 Sheppard Ave W, North York, Archers Arena offers indoor archery tag and related activities.

2. Battle Sports: With multiple locations in Toronto, Battle Sports provides archery tag and other indoor archery experiences.

3. The Archery Game: Situated at 770 Birchmount Rd, Scarborough, The Archery Game offers indoor archery tag experiences. 

   Plus universities, but those aren't open to randomly people showing up.
   

4. University of Toronto Archery Club: This club operates at Hart House at the University of Toronto and offers archery opportunities for students and staff interested in the sport.

5. Toronto Metropolitan University Archery Club (formerly known as Ryerson): TMU has an archery club providing opportunities for students to engage in archery activities.

6. York University Archery Club: York University has an archery club that offers archery programs and activities to its students.

What are the Best Months to do Archery in Toronto?

Based on historical weather records, the best months for archery in Toronto, considering factors like low wind, moderate temperatures, and comfortable weather conditions, are typically during the spring and fall seasons. Below are the months that generally align with these criteria:

1. May: May is often a pleasant month for archery in Toronto, with mild temperatures, minimal wind, and the city coming to life with blooming flowers and greenery.

2. June: June offers similar conditions to May, with moderately warm temperatures and relatively calm winds, making it suitable for enjoyable archery sessions.

3. September: September is an excellent month for archery as summer transitions into fall. The weather is generally comfortable, with cooler mornings and evenings, making it an ideal time for shooting.

4. October: In early October, the weather is still generally pleasant, with lower wind speeds and mild temperatures. It's an excellent time to enjoy archery before the onset of colder weather.

These months often strike a balance between avoiding extreme temperatures (too hot or too cold) and minimizing wind interference, making them favorable for archers in Toronto. However, weather conditions can vary from year to year, so it's essential to check the local weather forecast closer to your planned archery sessions to ensure optimal shooting conditions.