Traditional bow

Lore & Background

The traditional bow division replaced the instinctive bow category as a final step in a process that began in 2012, with specifications on the riser requiring wood or laminated wood. This change was driven by increasingly varied construction techniques that made judges' work difficult, and it took effect on September 1, 2022. The name change primarily distinguishes equipment based on historical materials and shapes—wood, no rest—from modern bows like recurve, compound, and barebow, focusing on bow technology rather than the archer's technique.

The bow can be monolithic (one piece) or take-down, with limbs that may be made of various materials including non-wood. The riser must be wood or laminated wood, and factory-made metal accessories are permitted only for attaching limbs or bushings for stabilizers, with any weights inserted by the manufacturer and completely invisible. The arrow rest must be simple and non-adjustable, such as a plastic clip rest, feather rest, or mat no higher than 3 mm. String walking is prohibited, but face walking is permitted. Sights, kissers, and peep-sights are forbidden, and the bowstring may have silencers at least 30 cm from the nocking point.

The category closest to the traditional bow is the Longbow, which shares the use of instinctive shooting—the oldest method of archery that relies on the brain's ability to calculate trajectory by focusing solely on the target. The name change resolved issues arising from archers using methods similar to but different from instinctive shooting, which betrayed its philosophy.

Reader's Guide

The traditional bow category holds significance as a regulatory response to the evolution of archery equipment, ensuring that a distinct class of bows remains tied to historical materials and construction. By mandating a wood or laminated wood riser and prohibiting adjustable rests, sights, and string walking, the division preserves a style of archery that relies on instinctive shooting—a technique that predates modern aiming aids. This category is notable for its role in 3D and Field archery competitions, where it replaced the instinctive bow category to clarify equipment rules for judges. The change, effective September 1, 2022, capped a decade-long process that began in 2012, reflecting the sport's need to adapt to new materials while maintaining a traditionalist niche. The traditional bow's legacy lies in its emphasis on the archer's innate skill rather than technological assistance, aligning with the philosophy of instinctive shooting. It also shares common ground with the Longbow category, reinforcing a connection to archery's roots. By allowing take-down bows with non-wood limbs but restricting the riser to wood, the division balances modern convenience with historical authenticity, ensuring that this style of archery remains accessible while staying true to its origins.

Did You Know?

• The traditional bow category replaced the instinctive bow category on September 1, 2022.
• The riser must be made of laminate or a single piece of wood, but limbs can be made of non-wood materials.
• String walking is prohibited in traditional bow archery, but face walking is permitted.
• The arrow rest must be no higher than 3 mm and cannot be adjustable.