Field Rules

General field archery rules
Shooting Style
Target Faces
Field Rounds In GNAS
FITA Arrowhead
Stamp Unmarked
Stamp Marked
Stamp Combination
Foresters Round
Four-Shot Foresters Round
The Big Game Round
The National Animal Round
FITA Forester Round
Local/Club Rounds

200. General Field Archery Rules

(a) GNAS Rules of shooting 102, 103 and 200 to 205 shall apply to GNAS recognised rounds and other traditional or local rounds run under the GNAS Rules of shooting.

(b) There shall be seperate styles and classes and for Ladies, Gentlemen and Juniors (see 202,203).

(c) Before shooting commences at any venue, the Organiser, Judge in Charge, Field Captain, Club Captain or responsible archer shall satisfy by inspection that all the archers’ equipment conforms to GNAS, FITA rules and the archers’ given style. If applicable a judge, being satisfied that the archers’ equipment conforms to the style written on the score cards, will sign to that effect on the front of the score cards .

(d) Suitable barriers shall be placed around the course, wherever necessary, to keep spectators at a safe distance. Only those persons having obtained permission shall be allowed on the course inside the barriers.

(e) Although there are no specific dress regulations in field archery, all competitors, field party and officials, shall wear bright visible colours.

(f) Where Judges are appointed, one shall be the Chairman in charge of the event.

(g) The duties of the Chairman and other Judges shall be:

(i) To ensure that adequate safety precautions have been observed in the layout of the course and warm-up area. During warm-up, the warm-up area shall be under the control of a judge or competent Archer. It is recommended that shooting periods of five minutes be allowed and a sound signal given for the archers to approach and clear the targets.

(ii) To address the assembled competitors, before the shoot commences, about safety precautions and any other appropriate matter, including the method of starting the event, the starting points of each group, etc.

(iii) To ensure that all competitors are conversant with the rules of the competition and the method of scoring.

(iv) To resolve disputes or queries that may arise in interpretation of the rules or other matters.

(v) When drawing back the string of his/her bow a competitor shall not use any technique which, in the opinion of the judges, could allow the arrow, if accidentally released, to fly beyond a safety zone or safety arrangements (overshoot area, net, wall etc). If a competitor persists in using such a technique, he/she will in the interest of safety, be immediately asked by the Chairman of Judges to stop shooting and leave the field.

(h) In competition, each shooting group shall consist of not more than six and not fewer than three archers, Number 1 of each shooting group on the target list will be Target Captain.

(i) The Target Captain shall be responsible for the orderly conduct of shooting within the group, and have the general responsibilty for scoring the arrows. In the case of a dispute, a Judge shall make the final decision.

(j) Two of each shooting group shall be scorers. Each shall be supplied with and complete a seperate set of score cards for the group and the duties of Scorers shall be as follows:

(i) To write down the scores of each competitor in the group.

(ii) To complete the score card at the end of shooting.

(iii)To ensure that the score cards are returned without delay to the Scores Commission.

(k) A mistake on a score card may be corrected before the arrows are drawn, provided all archers in the group agree to the correction. The correction shall be witnessed and initialled by all archers and shown to a judge at the first opportunity. The judge shall initial the archers’ action.

(l) The score cards shall be signed by the Scorer at the end of the shooting, and by the archer as an acceptance of the final score.

(m) Should the two cards not agree, then the lower score shall be taken as the result.

(n) The use of binoculars and other visual aids ARE permitted in all GNAS and ARROWHEAD/FITA rounds, providing they give no aid to measuring distance.

(o) At all targets for ARROWHEAD/FITA and Stamp rounds there shall be sufficient area for two competitors to stand side by side and able to shoot at the same time.

(p) The archer’s more forward foot must be in contact with and behind the shooting post while shooting, except in the Stamp unmarked, the Stamp marked, the Stamp combination, the new FITA and Arrowhead Rounds when the archer shall stand with both feet behind the relevant shooting line, which is an imaginary line through the shooting post parallel to the target.

(q) If, in competitions where the arrow-holes have not been marked, an arrow is observed to rebound from, or is believed to have passed through the target face, a Judge shall check it, and if it appears that the arrow has rebounded or passed through, then another arrow may be shot at that face from the same position from which the bouncing or passing-through arrow was shot. But in ARROWHEAD Rounds, the current FITA Rules apply.

(r) An arrow shall be deemed not to have been shot, if the archer can touch it with his bow without moving his feet from his shooting position, in which case another arrow may be shot in its place.

(s) All targets shall be numbered in succession and the number board, which can be used as a stop peg, placed within the approach to the shooting post for that target.

(t) Archers waiting their turn to shoot shall stand well back behind the archers who are shooting, preferably at the number board.

(u) Faces shall not be placed over any larger face, nor shall their be any marks on the buttress or foreground that could be used as points of aim.

(v) The butts shall provide for a margin of at least 5 cm outside the lowest scoring zone(s) of the face(s) placed upon them. At no point may any target face be less than 15cm from the ground. In all instances, regardless of the terrain, the butt should be placed reasonably perpendicular to the competitors’ line of sight from the shooting post in order to present to the competitor the full target face(s) full size as much as is practically possible.

(w) Timing whether marked or unmarked distances, an archer is allowed 5 minutes overall where 4 shots are taken from one post, and 4 minutes overall where 3 shots are taken from one post. On walk-ups, the archer is allowed 1.5 minutes per arrow. The timing begins when the archer takes his shooting position, which he shall do as soon as it becomes available.

(x) A Judge, having observed an archer exceed the time limit, shall caution him by a signed note on the score card, indicating the time of the warning. At the second and subsequent warnings, during that tournament, the archers highest scoring arrow at the target where the warning is given, shall be annulled.

(y) No person shall relate to competing archers the target distances on unmarked courses during the tournament.

(z) In the event of a tie, the result will be resolved as follows:-

(i) The archer, of those tying, with the greatest number of scoring arrows (HITS) will win.

(ii) If still tied, the archer with the greatest number of highest scoring zone hits will win.

(iii)If still tied, they shall be declared equal.

201. FITA Field Rules

(a) FITA ARROWHEAD ROUNDS: Arrowhead rounds are only shot when formally applied for as FITA Award Events, in which case current FITA Field Rules apply in their entirety (except as provided for under (ii) below) under the control of an International or National Field Judge.

(i) FITA ARROWHEAD AWARDS _ The award is open to Members of the Society according to qualifications and applications as laid down in FITA rules. Claims for the award must be submitted to the GNAS Office on the appropriate form.

Table of scores for Arrowhead awards

(ii) When an official Arrowhead Round is shot, (b)(iv)&(v) of the following relaxations apply, but only those archers conforming to FITA regulations can claim FITA Arrowhead awards

(b) New FITA Rounds shot according to current FITA Field Rules with the following exceptions:-

(i) Control may be in the hands of an International, National or Regional Field Judge (if Record Status)

(ii) Arrow-holes need not be marked, for the GNAS bouncer/pass through rule will apply (see 200,(q)).

(iii) Target numbers may be in any readily-visible colours.

(iv) Compound Limited class and U/15 Unlimited class shoot from red posts. Full 5 scoring.

(v) Compound Barebow, Traditional, Long-bow and all juniors under 15 (in any class other than U/L under 15) shoot from blue posts. Full 5 scoring.

(vi) Special posts may be set for under 12’s, in which case no records shall be available to them.

202. Shooting Styles

(a) RECURVE (Freestyle)- Archers using equipment that conforms to 102(a).

(b) BAREBOW – A bow of any type, provided it subscibes to the accepted principle and meaning of the word Bow as used in target archery; i.e., an instrument consisting of a handle (grip), riser and two flexible limbs each ending in a tip with a string nock. The bow is braced for use by a single bowstring attached directly between the two string nocks only, and in operation is held in one hand by its handle (grip) while the fingers of the other hand draw, hold back and release the string. The bow must be bare, except for the arrowrest as mentioned below, and free from protrusions, marks, blemishes or laminated pieces which could be used in aiming. The inside of the upper limb shall be without trademarks. Integrally fitted torque flight compensators are permitted provided that they are not fitted with stabilizers. Weights may be added to the lower part of the riser, however, the unbraced bow complete with accessories must be capable of passing through a hole or ring of 12.2cm inside diameter+/-0.5cm. The bowstring can be of any number of strands of the material chosen for the purpose with a centre serving to accommodate the drawing fingers, a nocking point to which may be added serving(s) to fit the arrow nock and, to locate this point, one or two nock locators, as well as at each end of the bowstring a loop to be placed in the string nocks of the bow when braced. The serving on the bowstring must not end within the archer,s vision at full draw. The bowstring must in no way offer aid in aiming through a peep-hole, markings, or any other means. The arrowrest which can be adjustable, a moveable pressure button, pressure point or arrow plate on the bow provided they are not electric or electronic and do not offer any additional aid in aiming. Arrows of any type which subscribe to the accepted principle and meaning of the word Arrow as used in Target Archery, and which do not cause undue damage to target faces or buttresses. An arrow consists of a shaft with head (point), nock, fletching, and if desired, cresting. All arrows used at any one target (i.e., numbered target) shall carry the same pattern and colour(s) of fletching and cresting if any. The arrows of each competitor shall be of the same length, and marked on the shaft with the competitor’s name or initials.

(c) TRADITIONAL – Archers using equipment as for barebow above, but the arrow shafts shall be made of wood and may comprise a metallic pile and a plastic nock. Fletchings must be of natural feather. Furthermore, Archers must adhere to one anchor-point and to one finger-position on the string throughout a tournament. An arrow-rest is permitted, but may not be adjustable, a pressure-button is not permitted.

(d) LONGBOW – Archers using equipment as defined in 601(a),(b),(c) except that the bow must be bare, therefore marks on bow limbs or rubber bands are not allowed, neither is a “kisser”- allowed on the string. Archers must adhere to one anchor point and to one finger-position on the string throughout a tournament.

(e) CROSSBOW – Archers using equipment as defined in 501.

(f) COMPOUND UNLIMITED – Archers using equipment as defined in 103(c) (i).

(g) COMPOUND LIMITED – Archers using equipment as defined in 103(c) (ii). Multipin sights are permitted.

(h) COMPOUND BAREBOW – Archers using equipment generally as above. No markings or attachment may, as in 202(b) & 202(g), appear on the bow or the string which might be used as an aid to aiming. A cable guard, pressure-button and an adjustable arrow-rest and plate are permitted. Only one stabiliser no longer than 30.5cm(12″) overall may be fitted. No release aid or overdraw may be used.

NOTE – In all compound styles, peak weight must not exceed 60lbs.

NOTE – In all the above styles (a) to (h) inclusive, the following exceptions to Target Archery practices apply:

(i) No artificial points of aim are permitted.

(ii) For Stamp and Animal face rounds arrows must be numbered by means of distinctive bands at least 3mm in width and approximately 3mm apart.

(iii)No notes or memoranda, other than the Rules of Shooting or extracts thereof, may be used which might assist in improving scores.

(iv)No aids for estimating distances are allowed.

203. Juniors (General)

(a) Junior archers are those under 18 years of age. They are placed in three categories or age groups. The date of birth must fall before the (first) day of the tournament.

Juniors (15/17). Juniors (12/14). Juniors (under 12).

(b) There is nothing to prevent a junior choosing to shoot in a higher age-group than his age would warrant provided that he complies with the regulations appertaining to that group.

204. Target Faces

(a) FITA 5 Zone Face as described in current FITA Rules scoring 5, 4, 3, 2 &1. (FITA licensed faces must be used for Arrowhead and all record status Rounds)

(b) GNAS Stamp Round the FITA 5 ZONE face shall be used. FITA licensed faces must be used for all record status rounds.

(c) Forester Round Faces

The target faces shall be of animal or bird design, and shall have inscribed on them an outer circle of fixed diameter, an inner circle of half that diameter, and a spot of one sixth that diameter.Thus:

24″ Face 12″ Inner Circle 4″ Spot. 18″ Face 9″ Inner Circle 3″ Spot. 12″ Face 6″ Inner Circle 2″ Spot. 6″ Face 3″ Inner Circle 1″ Spot.

(d) Big Game Round Faces

The target faces shall be of animal or bird design, with the scoring area devided into two parts. The higher-scoring area, is the smaller area, situated in the ‘heart/lung’ region of the animal, and is known as the ‘kill’ zone. The low-scoring area, is the remainder of the animal within the marked perimeter, and is known as the ‘wound’ zone’.

Targets are classed into groups one, two, three and four, according to size.

Group 1. 40″ x 28″ – Bear, deer, moose, elk, caribou.

Group 2. 28″ x 22″ – Antelope, small deer, wolf, mountain lion.

Group 3. 22″ x 14″ – Coyote, javelina, turkey, fox, goose, wildcat, pheasant.

Group 4. 14″ x 11″ – Turtle, duck, grouse, crow, skunk, jackrabbit, wood-chuck.

Any animal or bird consistent in size with a particular group may be used.

(e) National Animal Round Faces

The target faces shall be of an animal or bird design, and shall have described upon them a circle of either 30, 22.5, 15, or 7.5cm diameter according to the size of the animal picture and in the heart/lung region. The higher scoring area (the kill zone) shall be within the circle and the remainder of the animal shall be the lower scoring area (the wound zone). Bengston Bowhunter faces fulfil the requirements set out above and shall be used at National Record Status events.

205. Field Rounds In GNAS

Courses should be laid out in such a way as to provide safety, maximum interest and variety, and to make the best use of available terrain. Direction indicators should be placed as necessary to ensure safety.

(a) FITA Arrowhead Rounds shot over courses of 24-28-32-36 targets, comprising two units of 12, 16, 20 or 24 targets (i.e. 12+16= 28) (in multiples of 4) unmarked or marked, combined (1 round u/m + 1 round mkd) or combination (50%u/m+ 50% mkd). Units can include walk-ups and/or fans (not recomended). Current FITA rules apply.

(b) New FITA Rounds, as (a) above with GNAS relaxations 201(b) (c) STAMP unmarked, STAMP marked & STAMP combination.

GNAS Stamp

Un-marked Round Shot on FITA (1994) Faces. The round consists of 28 Targets with one arrow from each of four different positions for each target.Four Targets with 20cm faces placed between 5 and 15 metres. Eight Targets with 40cm faces placed between 10 and 30 metres.Ten Targets with a 60cm face placed between 20 and 40 metres.Six Targets with a 80cm face placed between 30 and 50 metres.Tolerance on distance from post to target shall not exceed +/- 25cm on distances of 15 meters or less, and shall not exceed +/- 50cm on distances longer than 15 meters.

Total number of arrows, 112.

Scoring 5,4,3,2,1 (Full 5 all styles)

Maximum possible score 560.

Juniors Juniors (15/17) shoot from the same positions as adults in all cases.

Juniors (12/14) shoot two arrows from each of the two nearest shooting positions at single-faced targets, which will be either 60cm or 80cm faces.

Juniors (under 12) shoot all four arrows from the front shooting positions on ALL TARGETS.

Organisers MAY provide suitably placed extra forward positions for under 12’s at their discretion. In this case no under 12 records can be claimed and a statement to this effect must appear on entry forms for Record Status Tournaments.

GNAS Stamp Marked Round Shot On FITA (1994) Faces.

The round consists of 28 Targets with four arrows at each Target. Distances are marked.

Twice at each of 15, 20, 25 & 30 metres at 40cm faces Total 32 arrows

Twice at each of 35, 40 & 45 metres at a 60cm face Total 24 arrows

Twice at each of 50, 55 & 60 metres at a 80cm face Total 24 arrows

Twice 6, 8, 10 & 12 metres at 20cm faces Total 8 arrows

Twice 15, 20, 25 & 30 metres at 40cm faces Total 8 arrows

Twice 30, 35, 40 & 45 metres at 60cm faces Total 8 arrows

Twice 45, 50, 55 & 60 metres at 80cm faces Total 8 arrows

Tolerance on distance from post to target shall not exceed +/- 25cm on distances of 15 meters or less, and shall not exceed +/- 50cm on distances longer than 15 meters.

Total number of arrows, 112

Scoring 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (Full 5 all styles)

Maximum possible score 560

Juniors Juniors (15/17) shoot from the same positions as Adults in all cases.

Juniors (12/14) shoot all four shots from the front position on 80cm walk-up target, and have a forward position provided 15 metres in advance of the Adult position on the fixed position targets at 60, 55, 50 & 45 metres (note this latter target is a 60cm face).

Juniors (under 12) shoot the same privilege shots as Juniors (12/14), and in addition, shoot from the front position at ALL walk-up targets.

Organisers MAY provide suitably placed extra forward positions for under 12’s at their discretion. In this case no under 12 records can be claimed and a statement to this effect must appear on entry forms for Record Status Tournaments.

GNAS Stamp Combination Round

The Combination Round shall consist of one unit (14 targets representing a correct half of those shot in the full round) of Stamp unmarked Targets and one unit of Stamp marked targets laid out consecutively. Where both units are shot over the same course, the unmarked unit shall be shot first.

Juniors

The rules regarding shooting positions for Juniors in the unmarked and marked Stamp Rounds apply to the appropriate unit in this Round.

NOTE for Stamp rounds:-

(i) Arrows shall be shot in ascending numerical order.

(ii) 80cm & 60cm Faces After the first two archers have shot they will be allowed to go forward to score and withdraw their arrows, either at the request of the next detail or on their own volition.

40cm Faces Four faces shall be placed in the form of a square. Archers shooting from the left side shall shoot their first two arrows at the top left face, and the remaining two arrows at the lower left face; archers shooting from the right side shall shoot similarly at the top and lower right faces. After the first two archers have shot they will be allowed to go forward to score and withdraw their arrows, either at the request of the next detail or on their own volition.

20cm Faces Sixteen faces shall be placed in four vertical columns (1,2,3, & 4 from the left) of four faces (A,B,C & D from the top). Archers shooting from the left side in the first detail shall shoot one arrow at each of the faces in column 1 starting at face A and then B, C & D; archers shooting from the right side in the first detail shall shoot their arrows in a similar manner at faces in column 3.

The archers in the second detail shall shoot their arrows in a similar manner from the left side at faces in column 2, and from the right side at faces in column 4.When more than four archers are in the shooting group then the fith archer shall shoot from the left side and the sixth from the right, in a similar manner, after the first four archers have scored and drawn their arrows.

(d) Foresters Round

Shot on Foresters faces. Distances may be Marked or unmarked.

The round consists of 28 targets ( or two units)

The standard Unit shall consist of the following 14 shots:

Three 24″ faces at a distance of up to 70 yards (64 metres)

Four 18″ faces at a distance of up to 50 yards (45.7 metres)

Four 12″ faces at a distance of up to 40 yards (36.6 metres)

Three 6″ faces at a distance of up to 20 yards (18.3 metres)

Shooting rules: At a 24″ target, four arrows are shot, one from each of four posts. At a 18″ target, three arrows are shot, one from each of three posts. At a 12″ target, two arrows are shot, one from each of two posts. At a 6″ target, only one arrow is shot from one post. Multi post shots may be equi-distant from the target or ‘walk-away’ or’ walk- up’.

Juniors

Juniors (15/17) shoot from the same posts as Adults in all cases.

Juniors (12/14) shoot from the same posts as Adults at the 6″ and 12″ faces. They shoot two arrows from the middle distance post and one arrow from the front post at 18″ faces. They shoot two arrows from each of the two nearest posts at the 24″ faces.

Juniors (under 12) shoot all arrows from the front post at all targets.

 

(e) Four-Shot Foresters Round

Shot on Foresters faces. Distances shall not be marked.

The round consists of 28 targets ( or two units ), with four walk-up shots on each target.

Distribution of faces, as in Foresters Round.

Scoring as in Foresters Round.

Total number of arrows, 112.

Maximum possible score, 1680 points.

Juniors

Juniors (15/17) shoot from the same posts as adults in all cases.

Juniors (12/14) shoot two arrows from each of the two nearest shooting posts at the targets showing 18″ and 24″ faces.

Juniors (under 12) shoot all arrows from the front post at all targets.

(f) The Big Game Round

Shot on Big Game Faces. The Big Game Round consists of 28 Targets (or two units) Marked or Unmarked.

The standard Unit is made up of the following 14 targets at the suggested ranges.:

Three group 1 targets at a distance of 70 to 40 yards (64.0 to 36.6 metres)

Three group 2 targets at a distance of 50 to 30 yards (45.7 to 27.5 metres)

Four group 3 targets at a distance of 40 to 20 yards (36.6 to 18.3 metres)

Four group 4 targets at a distance of 30 to 10 yards (27.5 to 9.1 metres)

Shooting rules: Three shots are permitted at each target, one from each of three posts, each successive post being closer to the target than the previous one.

Arrows shall be identifiable as to the order of shooting. The archer shall stop shooting as soon as a hit is considered to have been made.

Scoring: The score is decided by the position of the arrow in the target (i.e. in the ‘kill’ or ‘wound’ zone) and the number of arrows shot.

JUNIORS

Juniors (15/17) shoot from the same post as adults in all cases.

Juniors (12/14) shoot two arrows from the middle distance post and one from the front post until a hit is scored.

Juniors (under12) shoot up to three arrows from the front post until a hit is scored.

(g) The National Animal Round

Shot on Animal faces conforming to the specification given in 204

The National Animal Round is shot over 32 targets (or two units) not marked. When two units are shot, the targets shall be mixed so that the units are not consecutive.

The course shall be laid out so that each unit shall consist of the following targets set within the prescribed range. Organisers are required to provide a good variety of shots.

Number of faces Kill zone diameter Distance range

At targets using the smallest kill zone diameter face, organisers can place two faces side by side, reducing the need of archers in the group having shot, to clear their arrows to reduce the possibility of damage.

Shooting: Two arrows shall be shot at each target, one from each of two posts set within the prescribed range.

Scoring: Kill zone 10 points

Wound zone 5 points

Total number of arrows in round, 64

Maximum possible score, 640

Juniors

Juniors (15/17) shoot from the same posts as Adults in all cases

Juniors (12/14) shoot both arrows from the nearest shooting post at the 30cm kill zone faces.

Juniors (under 12) shoot both arrows at the 30cm kill zone and the 22.5cm kill zone diameter faces from a single privilege post set at an appropriate distance.

(h) FITA Forester Round, Current FITA rules apply with GNAS relaxations 201(b).

(i) Local/Club Rounds, all current GNAS rules apply.