Preview of the new GNAS Longbow definition

[Judge]

Hi Everyone!

I know I don't shoot a longbow, but I thought i'd let you all see the new GNAS lonbow definition:

206. Longbow(a.) Bow. The bow shall be the traditional longbow made from wood, either "self", "backed", or "laminated" with cambered (stacked) belly and horn nocks. With the exception of the "Self" bow, each limb of a longbow must form a single simple curve from the handle to the nock when at full draw. It shall not be less than five feet in length for an arrow of less than 27" and; not less then five feet six inches in length for a 27" or longer arrow, this being measured along the back between the string nocks. AT no point shall the depth of the bow, measured from back to belly, be less than 5/8 (five eighths) of the width of the bow at the same section. The bow may carry no support for the arrow. Bows of bamboo, constructed in conformity with the above, shall be permitted.

The new section in red is due to the appearance of recurved longbows in the last couple of seasons. It will effectively make recruved longbows illegal at competition.

[TJ Mason]

So that rules elf bows out!

It's a shame there isn't a general "simple bow" category that would allow reflex-deflex longbows, AFBs, asiatic bows and other stick bows to compete against English longbows. Do you know whether the GNAS has considered such a category?

[Judge]

Originally Posted by TJ Mason

So that rules elf bows out!

It's a shame there isn't a general "simple bow" category that would allow reflex-deflex longbows, AFBs, asiatic bows and other stick bows to compete against English longbows. Do you know whether the GNAS has considered such a category?

I am not aware of such a category. I think it is a shame that GNAS doesn't recognise the AFB there are a lot of people shooting them. Maybe you should lobby the target commitee?

[English Bowman]

Originally Posted by TJ Mason

So that rules elf bows out!

It's a shame there isn't a general "simple bow" category that would allow reflex-deflex longbows, AFBs, asiatic bows and other stick bows to compete against English longbows. Do you know whether the GNAS has considered such a category?

The problem is that there are too many categories as it is. (At least from a target point of view.)
We have
Compound Unlimited
Compound Limited
Compound Barebow
Freestyle Recurve
FITA Standard Bow
Barebow Recurve
Traditional Recurve
Longbow

Now how many entries do you think there are for the barebow and trad recurve, or compound limited or barebow?
I know this is a vicious circle in so much as there are no awards given, so no entries, so no awards given, but I don't see that creating another category will help this at all.

As for field archery how much advantage does a modern recurve shot in the traditional style have over an AFB?
I would think that the difference would be smaller than that between an AFB and an English Longbow. (Or even an AFB and an Asiatic Recurve) The shelf gives a significant advantage. (as do man made laminates)

For the record I had no problem with reflex/deflex longbows, as long as they fitted in with the rest of the rules, but there you go.

[Yew Selfbow]

I think GNAS may have jumped the gun in making their rule changes. The GNAS longbow specification comes directly from the specification laid down by the B.L.B.S. The BLBS changes to the long bow specs are based on an "assumption that the reflex/deflex limb gives an unfair advantage in cast/ draw weight ratio's compared to a conventional straight limbed Long bow. This assumption of superiority of performance has never been quantified in a bow for bow comparison. The changes to bow rules was put to the 2005 AGM of the BLBS but will not be ratified until the 2006 AGM. Therefore the reflex/deflex bow is still legal at BLBS events until ratification in 2006, but it seems to bave been banned from GNAS events forthwith.
Another part of the specification GNAS has spectacularly misunderstood, is the nature of the self bow and the 5/8th ruling. I have an Osage self bow that, because of the shape and make up of the wood grain, the bow has a section where in order for the limb tiller to work correctly the depth of the limb at a particular point is below the 5/8th specification.
This bow, by ruling definition, is now illegal by a rule instigated, and ratified by, I suspect, someone that knows or understand very little about longbows.

[Judge]

Originally Posted by Yew Selfbow

I think GNAS may have jumped the gun in making their rule changes. The GNAS longbow specification comes directly from the specification laid down by the B.L.B.S. The BLBS changes to the long bow specs are based on an "assumption that the reflex/deflex limb gives an unfair advantage in cast/ draw weight ratio's compared to a conventional straight limbed Long bow. This assumption of superiority of performance has never been quantified in a bow for bow comparison. The changes to bow rules was put to the 2005 AGM of the BLBS but will not be ratified until the 2006 AGM. Therefore the reflex/deflex bow is still legal at BLBS events until ratification in 2006, but it seems to bave been banned from GNAS events forthwith.
Another part of the specification GNAS has spectacularly misunderstood, is the nature of the self bow and the 5/8th ruling. I have an Osage self bow that, because of the shape and make up of the wood grain, the bow has a section where in order for the limb tiller to work correctly the depth of the limb at a particular point is below the 5/8th specification.
This bow, by ruling definition, is now illegal by a rule instigated, and ratified by, I suspect, someone that knows or understand very little about longbows.

What I posted is only a preview of the rule that will not appear until April 2006 and the wording may be slightly different when published. I do believe that BLBS was asked for their opinion on the rule by GNAS. I only posted as a forewarning of what GNAS is planning on publishing. The only part in the rule that was new was in red. The 5/8 rule has been in the rule book since at least 2000, when I started judging. However I would need to see the bow before I would make any decisions on it, but self bows are not usually uniform in section because of the variance in the the wood used to make it. At least that is my knowledge as a non longbow archer. I wouldn't mind further education though!

[laminatekid]

sad little men in green blazers making up rules......but hey if i shot someone by accident.......it is their insurance that covers me...not like i have shot anyone...i wouldnt do that i am nice....oh and i do actually look like this....!!

[Yew Selfbow]

Aghh.... Sorry Judge... I misread your original post, I thought the rule changes have been made ...my mistake...

[Yew Selfbow]

Originally Posted by laminatekid

sad little men in green blazers making up rules......

That's a bit harsh....

[LineCutter]

Originally Posted by Judge

With the exception of the "Self" bow, each limb of a longbow must form a single simple curve from the handle to the nock when at full draw.
The new section in red is due to the appearance of recurved longbows in the last couple of seasons. It will effectively make recruved longbows illegal at competition.

As I read this I could still enter a recurved self longbow.

Or do I have the wrong end of the stick?