AI (HD) always seems to build a horde of archers and skirms in feudal age. What is the most effective way to deal with that?

Every time I "rush" the AI with archers, I find it has already twice as many skirmishers. I can solve it by making more skirmishers of my own but I can imagine there is a more effective way that I haven't thought of. I tried Scouts and that did the trick but I don't want to go Scouts every game.