Shoot Classes

Field archery offers various classes based on the type of bow and equipment used. These classes allow archers to compete on a level playing field while testing their skills in diverse, natural environments. Here's a brief overview of the different field archery classes:

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Freestyle (FS): This is one of the most popular classes in field archery, where archers use a recurve bow equipped with sights and stabilizers. It's a more technical category, allowing for precision with added equipment, which makes it ideal for archers who enjoy the balance of skill and technology.

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Barebow (BB): In the barebow class, archers shoot without the use of sights or stabilizers. This class focuses on instinctive shooting, where archers rely solely on their skill and natural aim. It’s a purer form of archery and provides a greater challenge in the uneven terrain typical of field archery.

Compound Bow: The compound bow class allows the use of a mechanical bow with pulleys and cams, providing greater speed and accuracy. Archers in this class can use sights, release aids, and other accessories, making it a popular class for those who prefer advanced technology and consistent precision.

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Traditional Longbow (LB): Traditional longbow archers shoot with wooden bows and minimal accessories, such as a simple finger tab and arrows. This class embodies the essence of historical archery, with participants often embracing traditional techniques and the artistry of the sport. It’s challenging due to the lack of modern equipment, but rewarding for those who enjoy a more primitive form of archery.

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Bowhunter (BH): In this class, compound bows are used, but with restrictions on equipment. Archers must use fixed sights (with no magnification), shorter stabilizers, and fingers or a release aid. This class bridges the gap between traditional and compound archery, offering a challenge similar to hunting scenarios.

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Instinctive (IB): Similar to barebow, the instinctive bow class requires archers to shoot without the aid of sights or modern stabilizers. However, this class often includes archers using more traditional bows, such as one-piece recurves or shorter hunting-style bows. The focus here is entirely on natural aiming and instinct, which means archers rely on their sense of distance and form to hit the target. This makes it one of the most challenging and rewarding classes for archers who prefer a deep connection with their equipment.

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Traditional Recurve (TR): The traditional recurve class is reserved for archers who prefer a more old-fashioned style of recurve bows, usually without the modern enhancements found in the freestyle recurve class. No sights, stabilizers, or clickers are allowed, and archers often use wooden arrows. This class appeals to those who appreciate the elegance and simplicity of archery from a bygone era while navigating the varied terrain and distances found in field archery.

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Primitive (PR): The longbow class is typically the most historically authentic in field archery. Archers use longbows made of wood with no arrow rests or modern materials. Arrows are often wood as well, and the shooting style harkens back to traditional methods. Competitors in this class enjoy the raw, unfiltered nature of archery, where instinct and feel are key to success. The absence of modern technology and the requirement for historical accuracy make this a deeply immersive experience.

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Traditional Bowhunter (TB): This class mixes traditional longbow or recurve equipment with a hunting setup. Archers use simple fixed pins or no sights at all and may use basic stabilizers, but the equipment must be set up similarly to what would be used in a real hunting situation. The focus is on practicality and simplicity, mirroring the conditions archers might face in the wild. It combines traditional shooting with the thrill of hunting-style challenges in natural field environments.

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Crossbow (XB): Although less common in field archery, some competitions include a crossbow class. Crossbows use a horizontal bow mounted on a stock and are shot by pulling a trigger mechanism. While crossbows allow for mechanical precision and greater ease of aiming, they still face the challenges of varied terrain and target distances in the field archery course. This class appeals to those interested in combining the mechanics of a crossbow with the dynamic conditions of outdoor shooting.

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Thumb Draw (TD): Archery Class focuses on a traditional archery technique where the archer uses their thumb, rather than fingers, to draw and release the bowstring. This style is commonly associated with Asiatic bows, such as the Mongolian or Turkish recurve, and often includes the use of a thumb ring for protection. The thumb draw method allows for greater draw lengths and speed, making it well-suited for mounted or rapid shooting. Archers in this class typically shoot with historical or traditional bows and emphasize precision and speed using this unique release technique.