[1] STICK AND STRING

Natural material limbs without any fiberglass laminations. Arrows must be made of wood and shot over the back of the hand. 

[2] TRADITIONAL

Longbows and recurve bows, which are shot off the shelf. Arrow rests, sights, and stabilizers are not allowed. The arrows must be made of wood. 

[3] TRADITIONAL OPEN

Longbows and recurve bows, which may be equipped with an elevated arrow rest and/or a stabilizer up to 12″ in length. The arrows can be made of any material. At least one finger must touch the arrow nock. Buttons, plungers and similar devices that influence the arrow flex (archer’s paradox) at the shot are not allowed.

[4] BAREBOW

A recurve bow that is bare except for the arrow rest and free from protrusions, sights or sight marks, marks or blemishes or laminated pieces (within the bow window area) which could be of use in aiming. The unbraced bow complete with permitted accessories shall be capable of passing through a hole or ring with a 12.2cm inside diameter +/-0.5mm.

[5] OLYMPIC RECURVE

A recurve bow with any moveable pressure button, pressure point or arrow plate may be used on the bow provided they are not electric or electronic and do not offer any additional aid in aiming. One draw check indicator, audible, tactile and/or visual may be used provided it is not electric or electronic. A bow sight is permitted, but at no time may more than one such device be used. It shall not incorporate a prism, magnifying lens/lenses, or any magnifying device, levelling, electric or electronic devices, nor shall it provide for more than one sighting point. Stabilisers and vibration dampeners on the bow are permitted. Arrows of any type may be used.

[6] COMPOUND

A compound bow which may be of a shoot-through type riser, is one where the draw is mechanically varied by a system of pulleys or cams. The bow is braced for use by cables or bowstring(s) attached directly to the cams, the string nocks of the bow limbs, cables or by other means as may be applicable to the design. 

No equipment may be electric or electronic. 

Any number of Stabilizers are allowed, but may not touch anything but the bow. 

Draw check indicators, audible, tactile and/or visual may be used provided they are not electric or electronic. 

Bow sights (including levelling devices, and/or magnifying lenses and/or prism) attached to the bow are allowed. 

A release aid may be used provided it is not attached in any way to the bow. Any type of finger protection may be used.

[7] COMPOUND BOWHUNTER

A compound bow which may be of a shoot-through type riser, is one where the draw is mechanically varied by a system of pulleys or cams. The bow is braced for use by cables or bowstring(s) attached directly to the cams, the string nocks of the bow limbs, cables or by other means as may be applicable to the design.

No equipment may be electric or electronic. 

A front stabilizer (or a system including quick releases, enhancers and/or weights) may be used, but may not exceed 12 inches in total length from the tip of the stabilizer (or system) to the point of attachment on the front of the riser provided by the manufacturer. A single rear stabilizer or a single counterbalance weight system may be used, with no restriction in length as measured from the point of attachment on the riser.

Any sight pin, ring or dot that is used without the aid of magnification. A lens with zero magnification is allowable. Clarifiers and verifiers will be permitted. 

[8] ASIATIC RECURVE

A bow style/shape historically used by archers in the Eastern/Asiatic world. These bows typically are shorter than a Longbow and incorporate recurved limbs. Rigid limb tips (Siyahs) may be included in the design but this is not a requirement.

Modern materials may be used in the construction of the bow. Biocomposites, and true composite bows (hornbows comprising of horn and layered sinew) are also recognised.

Modern synthetic string materials may also be used for safety and reliability reasons. 2 nocking points may be fitted for consistent arrow placement, and if desired a reference point (kisser, tied on nock etc ) may be used.

Only arrows of naturally occuring materials (wood/bamboo for example) are permitted for this class. Plastic nocks may be used.

A handle may be fitted to the bow to aid in comfort and consistent hand placement, however at the arrow pass it may not protrude more than half of the width of the arrow, to prevent use as a dedicated rest.

Dedicated arrow rests/shelves are not permitted.