Why recurve and longbow classes at trad shoots???

[killinstuff]

One thing to remember with the Olympic shooter is they are not shooting hunting weight bows or arrows. And the set ups they use are as technically advanced as any compound. As far as my quote on non-wood arrows making you better not more skilled it's true. It's easier to get a matched set of non-wood arrows to fly all the same way. With wood arrows you deal with the little things from the nock and point tapers, to the arrow just being straight effecting your grouping.

[Chris Wilson]

Why recurve and longbow classes at trad shoots???

Because as some point in time, enough individuals complained and whined about so in so having an unfair advantage because of the equipment he/she was shooting.  It's always the equipment, you know.  God forbid the individual behind the bow actually be a good shot.

 

In all the pictures I've seen of olympic shooting, the archers are using recurves. Anyone know why that is or would they allow longbows too?

High level olympic shooters are in an extremely competetive class and want to shoot the best equipment available to them.  The fact that the vast, vast majority shoot recurves shuold tell you something.  As far as I'm aware of, there are no rules excluding the use of longbow limb geometry on an olympic target rig.  If someone feels they can make the team shooting a longbow, then they need to shoot the qualifiers and earn their place on the next olympic team.

 

One thing to remember with the Olympic shooter is they are not shooting hunting weight bows or arrows.

Though their arrow weights may not me what most would consider hunting weight arrows, the draw weights are similar to what many trad hunters use.  Many of the top female olympic shooters shoot poundages in the low to mid 40's range.  Many of the top male competitors shoot poundages in the mid to high 40's with some shooting around the 50# mark. I believe John Magera (LimbWalker) was shooting right at 50# in the '04 olympics.  I also recall at some point he mentioned his competition arrow weight is a touch over 8 gr/#.

[Pete W]

For practical  reasons we only need 2 classes.
 Primitive, for selfbows and wood shafts, and modern for all other Recurves/Longbows, any arow type,no sights , shot off the shelf.
 Todays longbows and recurves are so close in performance that the advantages of one type over the other is just not there any more.

Currently here we see RU class with as many longbows shooting it as recurves, and the longbow class that only allows wood arrows, recurves are not permitted.

 We would be better served with having a Traditional class, selfbow/wood arrow and a modern class, that has all laminated longbows and recurves shooting wood or any other arrow type. Shoot what you like, just have fun .

[Big Dave]

I believe that John Nail hit on what I also think, but it's still the shooter behind the bow. I shoot a selfbow best. My2Cents

[George D. Stout]

If you take handle mass into account, some three piece longbows don't give anything back to a recurve...but they really aren't longbows in the strictest sense.  However, if you don't think you can be more accurate with a recurve bow, then you haven't shot both very much.  As for rules, they have to be there to curb cheating and running up scores against those not having the same ability.  Cheats are abundant in all sports, and particular archery.  I've seen what people will do just to win a trophy.

Archery as a competitive sport, would not last very long if there was no way for the novice  or intermediate archer to compete.  The NFAA figured that out over 60 years ago.  You certainly wouldn't want your high school playing Ohio State every year.  One needs a chance to learn to shoot well while still having a chance to earn recognition.

Given the same skill, the guy with a recurve will almost always beat the guy with a longbow.

And to the guy who said those who shoot aspirins always have longbows.....aparently you never saw Stacy Groscup...probably the most prolific aerial shooter ever....long before Byron Ferguson.  Stacy shot a Zipper recurve bow.

[doeslayer]

some of the shoots that I have been to,some of  the longbow guys(and gals)felt at a dissadvantage because they shot wood arrows in the same class as the recurve/longbow shooters with carbons. So became the two different classes. If there was a longbow shooter with carbons they had to shoot in the recurve class.And many times they placed higher. It's all about the shooter.

[Shakes.602]

How does that Saying Go,  "It Is The Indian, Not The Arrow".     As Long as Everyone Has A Good Time,  "The Fun"  doesnt Wear Off!     Just My 2 Cents.