The Prophet (peace be on him) once passed by a group of his Companions who were competing in archery. He encouraged them, saying, Shoot, and I am with you. (Reported by al-Bukhari )
He realized that archery was not just a hobby or a sport but, more importantly, constituted that kind of force which Allah has commanded to be mustered: And make ready for them all thou art able of (armed) force....(8:60)
The Prophet (peace be on him) said, "The missiles (arrows) are the force," repeating it three times. (Reported by Muslim.)
He also said, "Practice archery; that is good for you." (Reported by al-Bazzar and by al-Tabarani on good authority.)

However, the Prophet (peace be on him) warned archers against using chickens and the like as targets for practice, as the Arabs of jahiliyyah used to do. Once 'Abdullah bin 'Umar saw a group of peoples doing this and he told them, "The Prophet (peace be on him) cursed the one who takes anything possessing life as a target.'' (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

He cursed such an individual because this sort of act involves the torturing and unnecessary killing of an animal, and a human being has no right to have fun and sport at the expense of a living creature. For the same reason the Prophet (peace be on him) forbade making animals fight each other. (Reported by Abu Daoud and al-Tirmidhi.) Some Arabs used to laugh and find it amusing to see two rams or bulls fight each other until one of them was gored to death. Scholars have said that the prohibition of making animals fight recognizes that such a practice causes them unnecessary suffering merely for the fun of it, without any benefit.

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