Who determines what medals, trophies, etc are presented at a shoot?

The organiser, with the agreement of the club, region or association for whom s/he is acting.  This includes:

• which of the recognised bowstyles will get a medal or trophy (eg will there be a separate award for compound limited, or for recurve barebow);
• whether there will be novice, class or team awards, and how they will be allocated;
• whether there will be visitors awards, and how they will be allocated;
• how junior awards will be allocated (eg separate age groups or one overall award);
• “no competition, no award” policy (ie will an award be made if there is only one archer in a division and if so, will it be subject, for example, to attaining a minimum score/handicap?)

So a shoot doesn’t have to have medals or trophies for every bowstyle entered?

No – I repeat, it is at the discretion of the organiser.

What about things like FITA Arrowhead Awards, classifications and records?

These are completely independent of the awards presented by the shoot itself and are not determined by the organiser.  They are determined by the awarding body, usually GNAS or FITA.  If the shoot is of the required status, and your setup complies, these awards are available, by right, according to the Rules of Shooting.

How do entrants know what medals, trophies etc  will be available?

The entry form should state what awards are available (or sometimes, for clarity, are not available), covering all the points above.  Organisers should not assume that ‘everyone knows’ because, as recent experience has shown they don’t!

What bowstyles are permitted?

Under GNAS rules ONLY the following bowstyles are recognised for field archery, (Rule 502 (a) – Rule 502 (h))

• Recurve Freestyle – the normal recurve setup as defined in Rule 202.
• Recurve Barebow – as defined in Rule 204 but with the following limitation: The unbraced bow complete with accessories must be capable of passing through a hole or ring of 12.2cm inside diameter ± 0.5mm.
• Recurve Traditional – as defined in Rule 205
• Longbow – as defined in Rule206. Only the traditional British longbow is included in this style. It excludes flatbows of any sort, any bow with fibreglass (or similar) laminations, and any bow with recurved limbs. The following limitations also apply: The bow must be bare therefore marks on bow limbs and rubber bands are not allowed, neither is a “kisser” allowed on the string. Artificial points of aim on the ground are not allowed. Also, archers must adhere to one anchor point and to one finger-position on the string throughout the tournament.
• Compound Unlimited – the normal compound setup, including optical scope and a release aid, as defined in Rule 207.
• Compound Limited – as defined in Rule 208, but essentially, no scope and no release aid (ie shot off the fingers).
• Compound Barebow – as defined in Rule 209
• Crossbow – as defined in Rule 210. Note some clubs do not allow crossbows.

…  Flatbows?

Flatbows are in the Recurve Barebow or Recurve Traditional  category depending on arrow type used. See Rule 204 and Rule 205

… Mongolian bows , Hungarian bows, Scythian bows, or Japanese Kyudo bows?

All the Asian-type bows (‘horsebows') and virtually all other traditional-type bows, including the Japanese yumi are Recurve Barebow or Recurve Traditional, along with ‘longbows’ with recurved limbs. If it hasn’t got wheels, hasn’t got sights and hasn’t got stabilisers, it is, by default a Recurve Barebow or Recurve Traditional again depending on type of arrow used. See Rule 204 and Rule 205

Are there separate classes (1st Class, BM, MB etc) for all the above bowstyles?

Yes, except for crossbow. See the fieldawards page.

This page contributed to by Alan Walker(Penicuik Archers) and Brian Kupris (Argyll Field Archers)