Info on the Muzzy Shoot

(by Todd Hathaway)

Targets used in the muzzy shoot are either a 5x5 foam block or an 8x10 foam block. 
The smaller one is for the closer shots (10 to 20 yards) and the 8x10's are used out to 50 yards. 
I'd say the average shot distance is probably 35 yards.

The target is velcroed to a stump or log, and the object is to dislodge it from its perch.

It's a one on one shoot...so you never shoot against the entire field, only the guy you are walking the course with. 

The shots are almost all tricky shots, meaning you have to sit, twist, avoid limbs, thread "needles", etc.

The foam was a special, dense, multi-layer foam that John Mussachia, Sr. had custom made. 
The only ones I know of are packed in boxes in the barn on his property (he had enough made to last for decades). 
So getting good quality targets may be tough.

I've made my own from those cheap broadhead foam targets by cutting them up, but they don't last long.

Judo heads (or Grasshopper heads are mandatory) used to minimize lost arrows/searching time.

The first round is a seeding round and everyone shoots a full course (28 targets). 
It's usually a shotgun start with every station occupied to minimize waiting.

After this round, the brackets are made (top score on top of bracket, second highest at bottom, etc.)
Then when the actual competition starts, only 14 targets are shot per round.

A coin is tossed to determine who shoots first. 
Winner of the toss picks whether he shoots first at the odd stations or the even ones.

Shooters must touch the stake with their lead foot or knee, and be behind it.

First shooter shoots and if he knocks it off, he gets one point and they move to the next target.

If he misses, the other guy shoots. If he knocks it down, he gets the point and they move on.
However, If he misses, they repeat the sequence one more time, so if nobody hits the target at all, 
each shooter would have taken 2 shots.

If the block falls for any reason before the next shooter shoots, it counts as a point whether the arrow
hit it or not (it's possible to hit the post or stump and wobble it enough to knock the foam off).

Also, if an arrow does hit it and it does not fall, it is not a point, 
even if the arrow is sticking straight through the middle...
unless the arrow itself is what is holding the block on the stump.

Archers are divided into only 2 classes, Longbow and Recurve. 
If the string only touches the limb nocks, it is a longbow.

No sighting devices on the bow, no stabilizers, and no release aids other than gloves, tabs, or thumb rings.

There are no rules against string walking, face walking, or three under.  There are no restrictions on arrow materials.

In the event of a tie, there is a supervised shootoff with each archer getting equal number of 
shots at a block until one knocks it off and the other does not.

I prefer a single elimination tournament, but Muzzy divides the competition into classes. 
If you lose the first round you go to B division. If you lose your first round in B you go to C.

If you win your first round in A or B then lose the next round, you are done.

There are separate rules for women and children, but I don't know them.

The Muzzy shoot usually has 100 to 140 shooters, and is spread over two days. 
So if you have a large number of competitors, you might not be able to finish it in a day.

There are 1st through 4th places for Recurve and the same for Longbow. 
Then the Recurve winner shoots against the Longbow winner for 28 targets to determine an overall winner.