Stickbow Target Archery Forums

For your Information, I have informed the officers about the concerns raised regarding the handle issue and suggested to reconsider it as such clause will effect a number of longbows presently used.
Martin did they listen to you or where their heads buried in the sand. Sorry for being just a little cynical but so far they dont seem to have listened to anything we've said.

Why doesn't the IFAA ever ask it's members what they want, NOT the officials representing the countries but the people who actually shoot the Bows. How can the EFAA represent ME when the EFAA has never bothered to ask me and to my knowledge my fellow Longbow archers as to what we want from the IFFA rules. I wonder,does this happen in other countries.

Martin it's nice to know you're fighting in our corner, but I think you're going to have a real battle on your hands on getting the IFAA to listen to what Longbows need from the IFAA.

I think we need more than just Longbow rule changes, we need the IFAA's 'heads buried in the sand' culture to change, talking and listening to all it's members would be a really good start.
:thumbsup:

Steve - don´t be too hard on us officers. They are listening for sure - and they are also getting 3rd parties opinion from archers that they trust in (which includes other longbow archers). Opposite to previous approaches on rulings, the officers are really concerned to have things clearly, executable and sadisfying defined and formalised. Of course, dealing with rules always means that you have to be definitive and not everybodys buddy.
I only can repeat, the opinions raised herein - as long as they where adding value to the discussion - have been well received and are forming a part of the considerations. And please be aware - the IFAA officers do not maintain a heads buried in the sand culture - but some archers do only see what they want to see... (stickbow forum members are naturally excluded from this statement)n
LOL

The constant changing of the the IFAA longbow rule is a byproduct of the root problem - failure to enact longbow design rules that make logical sense to the majority of the longbow archers of planet earth, not to the rule makers.

The dividing line occurs when you mix in modern materials into the flatbow/longbow build. Doing so (glass and carbon limb materials) allows the creation of IFAA-legal hybrid radical r/d "stealth" designs that have higher performance capabilities than the typical Hill-style flatbow longbow.

IMO, if the string touches only the limb nocks, it's a "longbow". It's that simple.
We already have IFAA-legal r/d longbow wolves hiding in sheepskins, who the heck is anyone kidding?
You wanna play the IFAA game with a self ELB, go for it. You won't be as competitive as with a Howard Hill flatbow and any stealth r/d longbow will have a clear and definite performance advantage. If it bugs ya, go form a separate primitive longbow class.

Pistol grip, straight grip, limb tip lengths, braced "D" shape - oh please, stop the stupidity and mockery of the IFAA Longbow Champs and all longbow archers. Please.

KEEP THE IFAA LONGBOW RULE SIMPLE - this will allow the Sunday 3D longbow archer to feel he/she could take their Whiz-Bang r/d longbow and enter an IFAA tournament. Put the IFAA game into the hands of ALL longbow archers. Promote the sport, don't stifle it. Geez.

Ah, there, now I feel better.

Rob is right; the rules should be written to be as inclusive as possible, not exclusive.

Two small suggestions:
First, that two piece take downs be specifically authorized to accomodate air travel rules.

Second, that archers be asked to remove any bow quivers, and external mounting brackets, for target competition. I see little objection to internal (threaded) mounting bushings, subject to an overall weight limit.

And an observation, regarding grips: this may not be a very significant issue. I note that the recent tendency among target recurve and compound bow shooters is for rather small and narrow grips designed for a low or medium wrist position. Perhaps there is no need for a grip rule unless this trend reverses.