Hobbits and bows

[Yepesnopes]

I am seeking enlightenment from those of you who master the lore of Middle Earth

Have been the Hobbits ever referred as using bows? and, going a bit further, has Tolkien even depicted Hobbits as being skilled bowmen (or bowhobbits)?

Thanks

P.S: Yes, I am trying to figure out where Francesco got his idea for the Fair Shot virtue.

[zedturtle]

I am seeking enlightenment from those of you who master the lore of Middle Earth

Have been the Hobbits ever referred as using bows? and, going a bit further, has Tolkien even depicted Hobbits as being skilled bowmen (or bowhobbits)?

Thanks

P.S: Yes, I am trying to figure out where Francesco got his idea for the Fair Shot virtue.

Well, the Shire sent bowmen to Fornost to confront the Witch King. They were probably highly capable.

[Glorelendil]

Omg. End of LoTR! The hobbits use bows to defend the Shire!

[Yepesnopes]

Omg. End of LoTR! The hobbits use bows to defend the Shire!

I imagine Elf tearing at his hair and searching for the button to bane me from the server I read the book when I was 13, that is long time ago in a galaxy far far away... I hope not to offend people with me ignorance on the subject.

Now seriously, my question is more directed to know if there are instances in the books to justify hobbits as good archers, and hence, give them the Fair Shot virtue; which curiously its flavour is not related to bows at all:
As a boy he used to practise throwing stones at things,
until rabbits and squirrels, and even birds, got out of
his way as quick as lightning if they saw him stoop.

[Glorelendil]

Oh, I'm with you on that. Using bows? Sure. Good at it...?

[Falenthal]

The hobbit's cultural weapons, as per RAW, make them better swordsman than stone-throwers. And equals in skill to Bardings and Elves with bows.

[Glorelendil]

Back home on a computer. Here are the quotes, all from the chapter "The Scouring of the Shire":

“Already, apart from many younger lads, more than a hundred sturdy hobbits were assembled with axes, and heavy hammers, and long knives, and stout staves; and a few had hunting-bows. More were still coming in from outlying farms.”

“Merry stepped forward. ‘We have met before,’ he said to the leader, ‘and I warned you not to come back here. I warn you again: you are standing in the light and you are covered by archers. If you lay a finger on this farmer, or on anyone else, you will be shot at once.”

“With a long knife in his left hand and a club in the other he made a rush at the ring, trying to burst out back towards Hobbiton. He aimed a savage blow at Merry who stood in his way. He fell dead with four arrows in him.”

“Before Frodo could recover or speak a word, three hobbit-bows twanged and Wormtongue fell dead.”

[Francesco]

Among other things, this, from "Concerning Hobbits":

"They (Hobbits) shot well with the bow, for they were keen-eyed and sure at the mark."

Francesco

[Falenthal]

Among other things, this, from "Concerning Hobbits":

"They (Hobbits) shot well with the bow, for they were keen-eyed and sure at the mark."

Francesco

Sorry, but that doesn't sound to me like Bow 2 + Fair Shot + Bow of the North Downs (+3 to +6 to hit), specially when compared to the Lake-town culture, who have an entire Guild dedicated to archers.

Hobbits could stand up to this and the former quotes with Bow 1 + some boost to accuracy related to Hope and Heart (after all they're good at things when the need arises and they call on their inner strenght, as the quote for Brave at a Pinch says) + Bow of the North Downs.

[Glorelendil]

Bear in mind that with really low body scores and low Injury their high accuracy still doesn't turn them into killing machines.