Some of you may find this an interesting read. These are the USA Archery rules re Traditional equipment and the original can be found here; http://www.usarchery.org/html/TraditionalRules.html
National Traditional Championships Equipment and Shooting Rules
I. At least two equipment divisions will be made (Note: there are now 3
divisions counting the "Traditional Recurve"):
a) "traditional longbow"--all--wood British longbows/American
flatbows without arrow rests/shelves;
b) "modern longbow"--longbows made with fiberglass or other
"modern" man-made materials and other longbows with arrow rests or shelves.
c) "traditional recurve" -- Recurve bows with wood handles or risers.
II. All competitors must shoot wood arrows.
III. Binoculars and spotting scopes are not permitted.
IV. Specific equipment rules:
A. General Rules
1. Longbow - is defined as a wood bow without recurve in
the limb tips, (i.e., the string must not rest on the upper or lower limb
but rather must contact the bow only at the string nocks.)
2. Stabilizers or counterweights, or bows built up to
serve the same function will not be allowed.
3. Protruding bow sights will not be allowed. However a
movable band/"o-ring" or rubber band on the bow limbs will be permitted as
long as this band is no larger than 1/8th inch wide or high. An
alternative allowed sighting method is the moveable "Point-of-Aim" on the
ground. This cannot exceed a height of 6" above the ground or be larger
than 3" in diameter.
4. No cusion plungers or similar mechanical or metal
apparatus shall be used. However, the side of the bow where the arrow
comes in contact with it may be built out slightly with a leather pad.
5. Arrows will be of wood and fletched with feathers.
Points shall be of a type that will not inflict undue damage to target
faces or buttresses. Arrows shall be identical in length, weight and
color, except for normal wear. Point weight may be of any value and is not
restricted to 125 grains.
6. Finger protection in the form of finger stalls or tips,
gloves, shooting tab or tape (plaster) is allowed to draw, hold back and
release the string, providing it does not incorporate anyh device to help
in holding, drawing and releasing the string. (For example, mechanical
releases or hooks anre not permitted.) A separator between the fingers to
prevent pinching the arrow may be used. On the bow hand an ordinary glove,
mitten or similar item, may be worn.
B. Traditional Longbow Division Rules:
1. British Longbow or American flat all wood bows without
arrow rests, shelves or center shot cut shelves are used in this division.
The bow may be laminated, but no man-made materials (beyond glue) may be
used as backing or in other layers of the laminate.
2. Horn string nocks are not required.
3. Fast flight or other similar newer type (limited
stretch) strings (except Dacron) are not allowed.
C. IBO and NFAA "modern" longbow Division Rules:
1. Longbows made with fiberglass laminates or other
"modern" man-made materials are allowed in this division.
2. Arrow rests, shelves and center shot cut shelves are
also allowed.
D. Traditional Recurve Division Rules:
1. Recurve bows with wood handles or risers are allowed in this division. Limbs may be wood or laminated with fiberglass or other “modern†man-made materials.
2. Arrow rests, shelves and center shot cut shelves are also allowed.
They have also updated their rules and those updates can be found here.
http://www.usarchery.org/html/tradition ... anges.html
Traditional Rule Changes
The Traditional Recurve division has recently made some major changes to give the wooden recurve shooter a chance to compare their scores with the target archers of the 1950's and 1960's. The below rules are a combined effort and compromise to best represent the archers of that era as a whole. Realizing not everything was exactly the same in that 20 year period, we sought to represent the majority in that era. We believe this will add much interest to the Traditional Recurve shooter and could also give the FITA shooter today a great way to warm up for the Outdoor Nationals.
The Traditional Recurve must have a wooden riser and can be either a one piece bow or a take down. No carbon limb composites or foam limbs, just wooden core limbs with glass overlays.
Arrows may either be wood or aluminum but may not be carbon or aluminum carbon composites. Arrows must have feather fletching.
Bow sights are allowed that are either wood, steal or aluminum construction (no carbon) using a single adjustable sight aperture with no magnification or level and must be directly attached to the bow with no extensions. A point of aim marker may also be used but not in the combination with a bow sight.
Bow stabilizers may also be used, but must be no longer than 10 inches in length and constructed either of wood , steel, brass, copper or aluminum. Rubber may be incorporated in the stabilizer but no carbon.
The use of a draw check mirror, level, string peep, clicker or other draw checking devices will not be permitted.
Bow string material will be limited to Dacron.
Arrow rests should not be used with a cushion plunger or Burger button. Flipper rests or duel prong rests will not be permitted. Arrow rests to be used are the Hoyt Super Pro Rest or equivalent or the Bear brush rest or equivalent.