FWIW here in CA we still shoot our State Field at the Adult stakes.

That option was incorporated in order to boost participation. Didn't turn out that way. The reality is that those of us willing to shoot a State or higher level of competition are also willing to shoot the long yardages. Given that for most "Traditional" shooters the 50 yard max of the youth stakes is still too far, there just aren't that many of us to begin with.

And then in addition to that, most "Traditional" shooters just aren't willing to compete at the State or higher level REGARDLESS of the distances shot.

So, overall, it just really doesn't matter. I agree with you, but reality is that participation will always be low.

 

Pete I must be missing something the only thing this did is let the organization make the decision on where you shoot from and not leave it up to the shooters. Before we had some shooters shooting from adult stakes and some from youth stakes at the same tournament. This is not good. You still have input at state just be bold and tell them what you want. Your state can do what ever they want below sectional level.

 

I totally agree that there should be one rule.

And I am pushing for our State to adopt Adult stakes. Since the option rule came into effect our state went to the youth stakes option for State shoots.

Up to now it was optional to the individual, I chose the Adult, and have talked many others to follow suit. Because we shoot the sectionals and nationals.

They should have just left it to adult stakes like it used to be.

I just hope other states don't blindly opt for the youth stake rule that is contrary to what the actual competitors that shoot at that level desire.

Pete

 

How can newer Archers coming into the NFAA gain the tourney experience/confidence to shoot IFAA worlds? It's an ongoing learning process starting at local tourneys gaining knowledge and experience as you naturally progress from Local to State to National level and the onto International competition.

 

Do what I did.

Go to lots of "mixed" local shoots, trad and compound, say to hell with the score, and always shoot from the long adult compound stakes. Give it a year or two and you'll be winning, even against those shooting from the short stakes.

Its really a matter of whether or not the individual has the dedication and is willing to do the work and put the time in to be truly competitive. If so they will find a way. And if they don't then they won't.

 

Steve I don't know any clubs that shoot from youth stakes

 

Rednef I agree and that's what I would do but you shouldn't be put in that position in the first place, the whole concept of Field rounds is the discipline/challenge of those longer shots.

 

Shoot BB class, not an issue then. Along with removing a lot of other issues too.

-Grant

 

I haven't had a club yet tell me I had to shoot from the youth pegs. If they did, I'd just register up a class, but still shoot under the rest of the Traditional rules. I've personally never shot a field round from the youth pegs and have no intentions of starting now. But if someone else wants to and it's within the rules, I'm glad to have them.

 

I can see the point being made here. However, there's more than one way to look at this.

We shoot from the blue stakes here, however, if someone wants to shoot from the white stakes, that's alright too. No one has wanted to do that the last three years. Before the rule change we might get one show up to shoot, most years none, after the rule change, well, we had four shoot this style last year. They all shot from the blue stakes, several of them have actually come back! So, I don't know, what do you do?

Three years ago we had a total of 18 plus or minus show up to shoot our state field in ALL STYLES AND DIVISIONS. Last year we had about 43, and a lot of them we're USA Archery members, who had nothing going on that weekend. What would you do?

 

I have no problem if the state chooses to shoot blue stakes for Trad shooters for state level events. But make that choice based on what the members who actually compete in their respective state at the state level shoots.

But the states shouldn't choose the youth stakes if the vast majority of the current shooters want the longer distances.

Distance is not reason why people don't choose Tradition/Barebow but the lack of teaching how to shoot the longer distances. But that is a different topic.

My point is more about lets not have states choosing the youth stakes without consulting the very people that will be impacted by the rule. If the membership that actually competes want it as Adult or Youth, then go with that.

 

I agree wholeheartly with RedNef.

 

If you want to shoot field shoot from the adult stakes. If not join IBO

 

I will shoot the adult stakes regardless, for all outdoor shoots. If I have to sign up under the barebow or Oly division, I will do that, and still shoot my Trad bow.

The rub is, the new rule change can result in a State deciding that Traditional shooters will not be allowed to shoot the adult stakes.

 

I guess that's possible. But I don't see it as likely that it would be out right forbidden.

And you know what? Let's say it was. Who cares? You go to your State event, having spent the prior year shooting long yardages, kick butt, maybe even set a State "record" and call it a day, all the while knowing in your heart that you're capable of shooting significantly more difficult venues.

Steve I guess you're right, we shouldn't have to go out of our way to make things up in order to be ready to shoot at the higher National or International levels. But what "should be" and what is reality rarely intersect.

Or, then again, maybe it IS right that we have to go out of our way to challenge ourselves. What you and Rodgers, and Eagleton and Smock and any other top shooters have gone through to get to that status wasn't just handed to you and them. How does one get to the top? You put the screws to yourself. Looking to others such as your State organization to do it for you is an excellent road map to achieving mediocrity.

 

Pete, in our State when the first change came about "allowing" the kiddie stakes, we made a rule that said it was optional. However, as we have seen we have people who choose to shoot the shorter distances now, including some who have set new "records" and or took home State trophies while shooting against records and individuals shooting the adult stakes. A couple of years ago a person took 2nd place shooting the kid stakes at our State target round. A few of the "new" records are based on the new distance option. Yes I do not like it. However, playing devils advocate, then why does IBO and ASA shoot a shorter stake than the "Adult compound" stake? Why in FITA Field do we shoot the blue stake and not the red with the "adult compound"? By the way, its kind of tough to shoot against your "competition" if they are down shooting at the "youth" end at the State target..LOL I refuse to have my 15 year old son, shooting the same gear as me, shoot the longer distances while I shoot the youth stakes. AS a 15 year old, who shoots "trad" but must register in barebow (Compound class) because NFAA and our State do not have a "trad" class for those ages.

 

It is an insane rule based on a false premise that Traditional shooters can't shoot distances.

The NFAA rule said that Traditional archers "May" shoot the Youth distances. And yet, every state tournament registration form said Traditional and Longbow archers shoot the Youth distances. It was implied that there was no choice in the matter, you must shoot the youth distances, and yet the rules said the archer had the option of shooting the shorter distances.

Funny how barebow recurve shooters have to shoot the adult stakes, where as Traditional archers are being forced to shoot the youth stakes. Are "they" saying that barebow-recurve is easier to shoot than Traditional recurve? What is the difference? One can string walk, and have a longer stab.

Also funny how the NFAA was quick to point out that the barebow division at Vegas grew this year, but didn't mention anywhere that a recurve finished 1st for the first time, and 3rd, and that the growth was with recurve archers and not compounds.

It is just crazy.

I just hope that all states choose for their own state to shoot the adult distances for their adult archers. Since the choice is no longer an individual choice but a state choice, let each state choose the right decision, adult distances.

 

Funny how barebow recurve shooters have to shoot the adult stakes, where as Traditional archers are being forced to shoot the youth stakes. Are "they" saying that barebow-recurve is easier to shoot than Traditional recurve? What is the difference? One can string walk, and have a longer stab.

There is no Barebow Recurve class in the NFAA. People can shoot recurves in the Barebow class, but they can also shoot them in Freestyle if theyd like.

 

I know. NFAA Barebow doesn't specify the type of bow. Mainy just a few restrictions, such as no sight and no release. Technically speaking someone can shoot a crossbow in the barebow class if they can use their fingers and no release. It will be crazy, but by rules it can be done.

The reason I distinguish NFAA Barebow-recurve, is to describe those people that shoot a recurve in the NFAA Barebow division. There are people that do that.

In the shoots that I have been at (not counting Vegas), people shooting a recurve in the NFAA Barebow do so because of 2 reasons: 1) They think NFAA Barebow is the same as WA/USAA Barebow because they both use the word "Barebow", or 2), they want to string walk and they are fully aware that NFAA Barebow includes compounds.

At the shoot I was at least week, there was only 1 person shooting NFAA Barebow class, and she used a Recurve, and they put her with all the other compound shooters. She probably would have had a more enjoyable experience if she was put with us Trad shooters. But then again, she would have been shooting all of the adult stakes, and us men have to walk up to the (as Ren puts it) kiddy stakes.

An adult person shooting a recurve with the finger touching the nock, no clicker, and no stab greater than 12 inches will have to shoot 10 to 30 yards farther if they checked the Barebow box instead of the Traditional box.

This distance rule is just wrought with problems for the Traditional shooters.

 

It's a bunch of crap. We here in Kansas also have a Hunter "record" shot from the youth stakes too. Just going to have to beat it someday and get rid of it, the guy who shot it was told that it was pathetic but didn't seem to understand I guess, he hasn't made any move to have it taken down or have it noted as a blue stake score.

Our State championship is next weekend. 5 shooting Trad that I know of, but 3 from the kids stakes. My partner and I are considering shooting BB just to protest in our own little way. Probably still beat them, but don't even want to encourage this practice.

Doubt if it matters a bit to the "blue stakers" in fact they will probably be really happy to get their name on the podium. I'm depressed but going to speak up and send e-mails. Probably already lost to the dumbing down of this great game. Hope it doesn't wind up at the sectionals or Nationals.

 

Today at the range I met and older gentleman who just started shooting a few months ago, and he is planning on shooting the upcoming 900 state championship from the adult stakes. He is probably a silver senior in age, and he is excited about his first tournament, and doesn't have any hesitation about shooting 60 yards.

What is sad about this, someone will look at his name being on the roster for the first time as being an example about how the shorter distance rule is attracting new shooters when in fact he is planning to shoot the adult stakes.

 

I thought you guys were only talking about "field" shoots. Just so its clear in my little brain; is NFAA saying state level and below, trad shooter shoot from the youth stakes for all the other disciplines too?

The 60 yard shot during the 900 round is my favorite.

Thanks

Toby

 

I thought you guys were only talking about "field" shoots. Just so its clear in my little brain; is NFAA saying state level and below, trad shooter shoot from the youth stakes for all the other disciplines too?

The 60 yard shot during the 900 round is my favorite.

Thanks

Toby

Thats what the rules says now.

 

So no comments regarding this?

However, playing devils advocate, then why does IBO and ASA shoot a shorter stake than the "Adult compound" stake? Why in FITA Field do we shoot the blue stake and not the red with the "adult compound"?

 

Why was the York round shot at 100 yards long before the invention of the compound? and is still shot with long bows and recurves with wood arrows?

How many people realistically hunt beyond 50, or 60, or 70, or 80, or even the 101 yard distances that we have to shoot in NFAA rounds?

Instinctive shooters gravitate towards the short distance shoots. Those who "aim" enjoy the distance shoots.

For state championship level shoots, keep to the adult distances. If a local club wants to have a shoot they can choose whether or not to use youth distances. It is their shoot.

 

Not an answer to my question though. Why in World Archery, USA Archery (FITA Field), IBO, and ASA do we shoot shorter stakes than the adult compound then? AN example here are IBO's 2015 rules/distances: SO RU shoots yellow, trad recurve shoots orange and longbow White ? Then why are we not also telling IBO, FITA Field, and ASA to "man" up and shoot the long stakes? Now remember I am all for shooting the longer distances, and have had some of my own State records beaten by shooters shooting the new "kid" stake distances. I'll do whatever they tell me to do, but my email has went in to our State Tournament VP and Prez asking that they choose to have us shoot the former long distances as we will have to at sectional and Nationals. Where this is really going to come into play, our State NFAA Field is also the NFAA NW Sectional...

3. Targets shall be set at unmarked distances. The approximate maximum distance for each
stake shall be as follows:
a. Blue Stake: 50 yards (45.72 meters)
b. Green Stake: 45 yards (41.15 meters)
c. Red Stake: 40 yards (36.70 meters)
d. Yellow Stake: 35 yards (32 meters)
e. Orange Stake: 30 yards (27.43 meters)
f. White Stake: 25 yards (22.86 meters)

 

Personally I'm okay with shooting shorter for WA because it's CONSISTENT.

If the NFAA would just be CONSISTENT I wouldn't care.

With the exception of perhaps 3D (but probably not) I will be shooting BB for all NFAA events in the future. WA legal too.

-Grant

 

Whut Roboto and Sarns sed!

I just simply no longer get my panties in a knot over this sort of thing anymore, but yeah. State level, shoot the growed up stakes! Local novelty or whatever, clubs can do whatever they want. whatever works for them and their area to gets folks in, its part of how they make $ for the club.

 

Let your state tournament committee know your viewpoint on this. If the actual competitive traditional shooters keep quiet about this, then state organizations may think that that all of the active traditional shooters want shorter distances.