Why recurve and longbow classes at trad shoots???

[buckeye_hunter]

I am just curious, so don't get a rope and a tree yet.  I have never been to a competitive shoot, but have read the "class" regulations for longbow and recurve at some shoots.

The rules for some of these shoots state that anything other than longbows with wood arrows requires you to shoot in the "recurve" class.

I was wondering......if longbows are supposedly more forgiving/better shooting bows, then why are the more "high tech" options like carbon and aluminum only allowed in the recurve class? In my opinion, that seems to imply that recurves are more non-traditional or advanced because they allow you to shoot "less traditional" carbons/aluminum arrows in that class.

Theoretically, it would seem that if longbows are, in fact, more consistent/forgiving then everyone would shoot a longbow with carbons in the recurve class.

For what it's worth I shoot a longbow.

-Charlie

[Blackhawk]

Many of the shoots around here allow both the longbow and recurve shooters to use any arrow. The classes are still divided, and when the scores are posted, recurve winners score higher than longbow winners. (Selfbow scores are lowest.)

It is rare indeed to have a longbow score higher than a recurve.

[GingivitisKahn]

Interesting and good question.  Assuming neither the longbows nor the curves are using sights, I wonder why the recurve scores tend to be higher.

[drewsbow]

because longbows are better :0)      

[Bob T.]

IMHO They both are as good as the person shooting the bow.

[Jacko]

Amazing - similar discussion on Ozbow website . One thought that sums this discussion up well is to keep in mind that the common goal is to promote Traditional Archery and shift the emphasis onto the cultural and historic value of the bow and arrow instead of on the perceived performance advantages .

You go nuts trying to put bows into neet little catorgory's , the harder you try to do that the more complicated things become . Very Compound of us . I agree that modern recurves and longbows have an advantage over a selfbow as do carbon and alloys over wood arrows and are a big part of modern traditional archery and need recognition .

I like the idea of having 3 simple divisions for wood arrow shooters
Traditional / Primitive
Modern Longbow
Modern Recurve
and if there is sufficient numbers [ in the United States of course there is ] divisions for those that use modern arrow materials with there modern Trad bows

[Mike Bolin]

At Cloverdale last summer the winning score in mens longbow and mens recurve was the the same. In the womens classes, the longbow score was higher. A few years ago, when he was a young fellar, the tradgang's very own Flatstick (Rich Jackson), won the selfbow class and shot the highest overall score at the shoot. Most times it ain't bow or the arrow, but the nut that holds the handle! Mike

[buckeye_hunter]

Good input fellas.  

Still, I wonder why they dont just put recurves and longbows with wood arrows into a category and then have a "whatever else without wheels" category.

I agree with Jacko, lets just promote traditional archery! However we do it.

-Charlie

[BAK]

I'd agree to a point.  I'd allow any type arrows with the modern long bow or recurve but require wood only with the primitive class.

[ChuckC]

It is their game, and those are their rules.  Sometimes I really believe that is the case..
ChuckC

[Fallguy]

The scores over the years at Rapids have been very close between Longbow and Recurve. We do not have arrow restrictions. Some times getting a 64" longbow shot off in a tight spot maybe a handy cap verses a 54" recurve.

[Shawn Leonard]

I would disagree with Blackhawk and agree with Mike. Most shoots I have been too the LB top score is usually a longbow guy and I also believe if you were to tke the best shooters in the world and divide them in to recurve and longbow the longbow guys would win overall. Their are some great recurve shooters out there but most guys who shoot aspirin out of the air and put arrows thru engagement rings form 30 yards are longbow guys. Shawn

[dragonheart]

It is the guy behind the bow and if he is "on" that day.  The class separation is so more people can get an award to promote participation.  The different classes is very "Target Archery" oriented.  If people would honestly look at themselves and accept their choice in equipment and its limitations in their hands all traditional shoots could have a mens, womens, youth, and cub class.  Shoot whatever trad bow arrow  you want, because the top dog that day will shoot the high score.  Someone always will test the limit on technology or the norm and someone says "hey thats not fair, he should be in another class/division"  We focus way too much on winning, and far too little on our own personal best with our chosen equipment.  The classes division could get more absurd than it already is just think:  3-under recurve alum, 3-under recurve carb., split wood rec, split longbow wood, split longbow alum, add infinity!!!  Someone has to set a rule, saying this is a dividing line for technology and technique.  I just wish we could have tournaments that put more people together shooting with one type of bow and arrow.    Maybe there should be only longbow wood events and recurve carbon events, limiting the equipment so everyone shoots the same way. (Texas State Longbow Championship is like this to some degree, although they have added a division to acommidate the laminated all wood guys)  Shoot what you enjoy, work to excell with that type of bow, and have fun with traditional archery.

[Wudstix]

With some of the newer LB designs i.e., centershot the gap between recurve and LB is disappearing.  The only recurve guys I can't catch are the carbon arrow dudes.  My hunting weight woodies can get close, but it is real tough to compete against the skinny sticks.  There usually are only about 2-6 LB and 1-2 recurve shooters total at our local shoot.  When I travel to the bigger shoots aluminum and carbon are in their own class.

[drewsbow]

dang , cast the bait and not one nibble :0)

[John 4]

To answer the question in as simple a manner as possible.
Longbows,no matter what arrow their shooting,can't match recurves.
Now to expand on that a little.
I've shot both longbow and recurve in three different types of competition over the last three years,two of which let you shoot whatever arrow you want.
The better longbow shooters usualy get into the lower recurve scores,but no further than that.
The comp's that demand a wood arrow for longbows are trying to preserve the Traditions of the longbow,which is a total joke anyway.seeing as how they allow R/D flatbows to be shot in the longbow class.

[Str8Shooter]

The club I belong to has five different classes for its traditional shoots. Trad longbow, trad recurve, modern longbow, modern recurve, and recurve unlimited (I think). The trad classes are for recurve and longbow shot off the shelf w/ wood arrows only. Modern allows for an non adustable arrow rest and any arrow material. Unlimited is for any arrow rest, stab, slings, clickers, etc but no sight.

Most of the time the best shot is going to win or place well no matter the weapon or class. Good shootin' is good shootin'.

Chris

[Jacko]

I'll bite Drewsbow - ARE NOT !

[Jacko]

See what I said earlier about focusing on a bows perceived or actual advantage instead of cultural and historic value when making Traditional bow divisions - complicates things real quick .

 I shoot mostly Selfbow and on a good day am capable of matching the top shots with recurve or Longbow in my neck of the woods - but I gotta practice daily and shoot regular comps to do it . Because of the time I must devote to my young family I recently bought myself a Rivers Edge Arroyo and if I only shoot once a week can shoot as well as if I had been training daily for a month with the selfbow

Human nature wont change but what is actually  traditional equipment and peoples idea's on exactly what is traditional is changing real fast . Imagine the same discussion with the introduction of fibreglass and mass produced alluminium shafts in the 50's then take it back 50 years further and imagine how the d section bow was superior and no one wanted to know about native american flatbows

Only half tongue in cheek perhaps the definitions need to be pre industrial age , post industrial age and space age .

As far as the newer designs go - think back to the Egyptian composite bow of 3500 years ago - looks a lot like many of the deflex reflex bows of today . I repeat - Cultural and Historic Value in focus when talking Traditional Archery

[varmint]

Most of the shoots I've been to have 3 traditional categories,recurve,longbow,and primative.