Primitive Class
The bow must be constructed of natural materials only, preferably by the archer themselves. Combinations of wood, bamboo, horn, bone, sinew, rawhide backing, natural fabric backing, natural cable backing and other natural materials etc are allowed. Though natural glues and finishes are encouraged, synthetic glues and finishes may be used. Bow design and limb shape may be of any type (self, laminated, straight, pyramid, reflexed, deflexed, recurved etc,) but should be based upon a primitive or ancient bow type. If challenged the archer should be able to prove that their bow is based upon an ancient or primitive bow type. An ancient bow design is one used 5 hundred or more years ago, including bows that are many thousands of years old. A primitive bow may be one used today by low tech pre-industrial tribes and peoples in the far reaches of the world, though of course these may also date back thousands of years. The bow must be free of stabilisers, sights, or other features unless these can be proved to be part of the original primitive bow design.
Arrows must be of natural materials and feather fletched. Though the use of self-made shafts is encouraged commercially available natural shafts may be used. Nocks to be self nocks or reinforced with natural materials. Stick-on taper fit nocks may not be used. Synthetic finishes and glues may be used in arrow construction.
No applied mark or other sight aid may be used on the bow limbs or handle. No form of arrow-rest may be attached to the side of the bow. Arrows must be shot off the hand.
Though the use of natural string materials is encouraged, synthetic materials are permitted. The bowstring may be of different colours as long as they run continuously and evenly throughout the string's length, but the centre serving, if used, shall be of one colour. One nocking point is permitted. String silencers are permitted but no other knots or attachments in addition to the serving which could be of use for sighting or location purposes is allowed.
One anchor point must be maintained throughout the shoot. No draw-checks of any kind are permitted. No archer may refer to any memoranda which could in any manner be a means of improving his or her score.
Any form of hand loose may be used including Mediterranean, two finger, pinch, thumb ring etc. No form of mechanical release aid is permitted. Finger protection, such as shooting gloves, tabs, or thumb rings may be used. Three fingers under and string walking are specifically not allowed within this class"
