It's funny we just went through rules for primitive class here in England. I know rules suck but there are always some rules in everything when you start competing. I mean would you think a plastic recurve should compete against a wooden bow? Be a pointless competition if anything could be shot in primitive class.
If you're just shooting and not adding up scores then no rules are needed!
But if you are seeing who is the best shot on the day, even just for fun, you surely have to have some rules.
Going through the process just showed me how complicated it can get. Plastic nocks or self nocks? Synthetic string or natural? A multi laminated bow is not a primitive bow, ah but what about the horn, sinew, and wood asiatic bows, they're laminated. An ancient bow but can you shoot it in primitive? Much, much discussion later and a comprimise set of rules were formed for NFAS clubs.
We finally settled on a long set of rules that covered all the points/queries/niggles that came up.
You won't like it in America as arrow rests/ cutouts are not allowed and arrow must be shot off hand. Apparently there is no evidence that any old civilizations used them and it is a fairly 'modern' idea made in America? We have a class here called American Flat Bow AFB which does allow that but it ain't classed as primitive.
PV Class NFAS
A Primitive bow is a bow made using natural materials only, although synthetic glues, finishes and string may be
used in its construction. A cable-backed bow may include a natural or synthetic tensioning cable running along the
back.
A bow that conforms to the NFAS Longbow class definition may not be used in Primitive class.
Crossbows may not be used in Primitive class.
The bow must be free of stabilisers, sights, or other features which could be used as a sight, such as deliberate
marks, bindings, or decoration.
A primitive bow may not include a cut away arrow pass or arrow shelf. No form of arrow rest may be added to the
side of the bow. Arrows must be shot off the hand.
The bowstring may be of different colours as long as the coloured strands run continuously and evenly throughout
the string's length, but the centre serving must be of one colour. Synthetic and natural string materials may be used.
One nocking position is permitted (which may be indicated by nocking points both above and below the arrow).
Brush buttons and silencers are permitted but no other knots or attachments (in addition to the string serving) that
could be used for sighting or location purposes are allowed.
No additional vibration dampeners are allowed on the handle section or limbs of the bow.
One anchor point must be maintained throughout the shoot. Any form of hand loose may be used including
Mediterranean, two finger, pinch, thumb ring etc. No draw-checks of any kind are permitted on the bow.
No form of release aid is permitted.
Arrows shafts must be of natural material, fletched with feather. Nocks to be self nocks or reinforced with natural
material. Plastic taper nocks may not be used.
No archer may refer to any memoranda which could in any manner be a means of improving his/her score
