nfaa rules on longbows

[ichibuns]

Hello gang wondering if you folks can help me out about the rules about the longbow in a nfaa sanction shoot? what are the the do's and don'ts beside using wood arrows thanks

[Brock]

seems pretty easy if this is still valid from a year or two:

Longbow:
1. A one piece straight ended bow of any material, which when strung displays one continued
unidirectional curve which is measured as follows: When the strung bow is placed with the
bowstring in a vertical position, the angle as measured between the tangent of any point on
the limb and an imaginary horizontal line must always decrease as this point is moved
further away from the bow grip. Tip reinforcing not exceeding ½” in height, as measured
from the surface of the bow limb and not exceeding 1 ½” in length as measured from the
limb tip.
2. The belly must be free of any marks or blemishes that can be used as sighting aids.
3. The bow may contain a window and an arrow shelf.
4. Only one nocking point is allowed on the string which may be marked by one or two
nocking point locators.
5. Nocks may be of any material and weight of pile.
6. One consistent anchor point must be used.
7. Participation in this style requires wooden arrows.

[Brock]

should be more worried about there being a CROSSBOW Group now....  :(

[ichibuns]

Thanks Brock by the way what is a tangent? so no r/d or d/r longbow ?

[kevsuperg]

Oh man. I can stack em in there with an x- bow.

[damascusdave]

Originally posted by ichibuns:
Thanks Brock by the way what is a tangent? so no r/d or d/r longbow ?

If you Google the word tangent you will get a good Wikipedia description of a tangent with illustrations...I think the rules do not completely eliminate a bit of reflex in the limbs, it just has to be done properly...Kirk Lavender is one bowyer who does this and I believe there are others

DDave

[damascusdave]

Check out Kirks description of his Flatliner bows...the design came from a desire to build a "better" bow that meets NFAA rules

DDave

[Scott E]

The NFAA longbow rules have changed starting June of this year. You can now shoot a hybrid longbow, a three piece, or even a metal riser three piece longbow. You still have to shoot wood arrows.

There is a very long thread about the new rules on another site and the rules are posted on the NFAA website.

Personally I hate the new rule and when you see what guys will be shooting in the longbow class you'll be shaking your head.    :eek:

[Scott E]

https://www.nfaausa.com/sites/default/files/2014-15%20ConstByLaws.pdf

Pg 33

Longbow:
1. Same as Traditional except as follows:
2. No stabilizers allowed.
3. A one, two or three piece straight ended bow of any material. When the bow is braced, the
string must not touch the limbs between the notches on the limb.
4. The belly must be free of any marks or blemishes that can be used as sighting aids.
5. The bow may contain a window and an arrow shelf. No mechanical rests may be used.
6. Only one nocking point is allowed on the string which may be marked by one or two
nocking point locators.
7. Nocks may be of any material and weight of pile.
8. One consistent anchor point must be used.
9. Participation in this style requires wooden arrows.

[Brock]

I agree...some longbows are borderline recurves and are getting AWAY from the intent of leveling playing field in these events....

They should have left it alone....one piece bows in smooth arc when braced...if guys want to shoot the extreme RD bows they can shoot in recurve with the other three piece heavy reflex deflex bows....

[Scott E]

My problem is guys are now shooting Bernadini barebow risers that they have modified to be legal. A weighted riser with adjustable center shot has no business in the longbow division. Just my opinion though

[nineworlds9]

Scott I agree about the barebow risers.  It turns the class into a joke IMHO.  But I am kinda tickled knowing I could now shoot a 62" Dark Matter Centaur in NFAA if I wanted to    

However, the conservative in me does shake his head knowing that changes like this mimic all the other danged changes in everything else in life in the spirit of unchecked progressivism.  Contrary to what our society is spoon fed Change does not always mean Better.

[JDBerry]

Yep, where does it stop, A longbow may have round wheels, No cams? Arrows must look like wood arrows.
 Shame people feel they must take the "Arc" out of Archery to win a prize.  
   
 Shame Bowyers bill hybrids as longbows to make a sell.   ..James D. Berry

[ichibuns]

Thanks Guys for the info and update for longbow class rules going to the Big island for a 3d unmarked shoot July 12 2014 I thought It was always ONE PIECS LONGBOW with wood arrows I have a longbow from Edward Boyd from Trinity Bows its a Elite @62"@28@48 and a Falcon 62"@ 50 @ 28 I know the Falcon is a hybrid Longbow they both shoots some wood arrow fast well going to bring the Falcon and some carbon if I cant shoot my Elite will shoot in the trad class

[nleroux2]

Follow the money. There is always greed behind changes of this nature regardless of the discipline. I see it in firearm competition, horse related competition etc. Somebody wants their product approved so they can make more money. Won't be long and you'll see computer guided arrows launched from remote controlled robotic arrow launching machines and the class will be "longbow"

[cmh]

Originally posted by JDBerry:
Yep, where does it stop, A longbow may have round wheels, No cams? Arrows must look like wood arrows.
 Shame people feel they must take the "Arc" out of Archery to win a prize.  
   
 Shame Bowyers bill hybrids as longbows to make a sell.   ..James D. Berry

So true Mr Berry..... Not only in traditional archery..... As a society we have become complacent not to leave anyone out even those who can't seem to abide by the rules.....  :(

[Rob DiStefano]

years ago i had a running battle with the ifaa (they hold the world longbow champs) over their longbow rules, which clearly stated no limb flat spots on a "D" braced bow.  they wanted only "traditional" longbows of the hill style to be used - straight or backset or string follow.  

HOWEVER, at that time some cleaver bowyers got around that rule by introducing the mild r/d longbow that braced to a "D" but clearly had limb snake when unstrung.  the prime example was the 21st century "edge", which was an advantage over real classic "D" longbows.

dunno where they are with their rules these dayze - i hope they finally got their act together.

[Fletcher]

I've kinda been looking for a bow to fit the earlier rules.  My local club has a full NFAA field course and I'd to shoot it.  Think I'll keep looking for a LONGBOW to shoot.

[Flying Dutchman]

I participate in lots of tournaments, but frankly saying, I don't give a sh*t about any of those silly rules. I just shoot the bows I like. I take care I am in the right class. If I have to compete with my (hybrid) longbow with woodies against recurve shooters with fast carbon arrows, so be it! Let's see who wins!       I'll take that challenge any day!

I think it would be very stupid to sell bows and buy others just to fit in rules, written by people behind their desks!        

In Europe we have to deal with the IFAA. In my opinion their rules are needlessly complex (and clearly they have never heard of "cheater bows" as mentioned by Rob). I am curious if they will follow the new NFAA longbow rules              
And how many people will chance bow again as a result of that    

I have only one rule: it is not the bow, it is the archer!    

Amen!

[Rob DiStefano]

while trad gang does not allow threads about formal target archery (the bulls eye paper punching kind) we do allow 3D threads (and muzzy events and stump shooting threads) as all of those unmarked distance "tournaments" are at least typically useful for trad bowhunting practice.  the nfaa also has rules for unmarked 3D events, and their bow rules are the same across the board whether the target is foam or paper.