The NFAA, or National Field Archery Association, was founded in 1939 with its goal being to unite field archery associations into one organized unit for the betterment of the sport. The NFAA has 49 chartered states and almost 1,000 affiliated archery clubs. The NFAA sanctions and/or hosts many different events which include:
- National championship tournaments
- Over 100 state championship tournaments
- Eight sectional indoor championships
- Eight sectional outdoor championships
- The 3 Star Tour which includes shoots at:
- Las Vegas, NV – The Vegas Shoot
- Louisville, KY – NFAA National Indoor
- Yankton, SD – First Dakota Classic
The NFAA can be contacted at:
National Field Archery Association
800 Archery Lane
Yankton, SD 57078
Phone: (605) 260-9279
Fax: (605) 260-9280
NFAA Membership Information
NFAA membership includes a subscriptions to Archery magazine, shooters insurance, awards programs, and allows participation in indoor/outdoor leagues, tournaments, and certified instructor courses.
Membership levels include the following:
- Individual – $35
- Youth – $15
- Family – $35 for the head of the household, $5 each for the next 2 members, and $2 for any additional dependants.
- Lifetime – $700
- Non-Competitive Bowhunter – $35 + $5 for each additional family member (spouse or minor)
- Professional – $75
Types of NFAA Shoots
The NFAA is involved with almost every style of competition including indoor (300 NFAA round and Vegas round), outdoor (field archery), marked and unmarked 3D. Their biggest tournaments are indoor tournaments and are part of their 3 Star Tour. Click here for more NFAA tournament information.
NFAA Competition Divisions
NFAA competition divisions include the following:
- Cub
- Under 12 years of age
- Youth
- Ages 12 through 14
- Young adult
- Ages 15 through 17
- Adult
- 18 years of age and older
- Senior
- 50 years of age and older
- Silver senior
- 60 years of age and older
- Master senior
- 70 years of age and older
- Professional
- Any age is allowed
- Must pay for Professional Division membership plus Pro dues.
NFAA Shooting Styles
NFAA shooting styles include the following:
- Freestyle
- Freestyle limited
- Barebow
- Competitive bowhunter
- Bowhunter freestyle
- Bowhunter freestyle limited
- Traditional
NFAA Shooting Style Equipment Rules
Here are the equipment rules set forth by the NFAA constitution:
General Rules
- The bow must have a handle/riser, two limbs, and a string.
- The bow must be able to be drawn with one hand while holding the bow’s grip with the other hand.
- The bow has a maximum peak weight of 80 lbs or less.
- The bow shoots an arrow at 300 feet per second or less (variance of 3% is allowed)
- The arrow shaft being used has a diameter of 0.422 inches or less.
- The arrow point diameter is 0.425 inches or less.
- The arrow does not have lighted nocks.
Barebow
Here are the specific rules if you are shooting in the barebow style:
- All equipment (bow, arrows, strings, and accessories) must be free of any markings that could be used as a sighting aid.
- The bowstring has one consistent nocking point.
- Stabilizers are permitted as long as they do not contact the shooter.
- One adjustable draw check is permitted.
- One level on the bow is permitted.
- Only shooting gloves, tabs, and fingers are allowed to aid in shooting the bow (exceptions are made for handicapped individuals).
- All arrows must be the same weight, length, diameter, and have the same fletching.
Freestyle
- Any type of sight can be used.
- Any hand operated release can be used (exceptions are made for handicapped individuals).
- The rear stabilizer can not touch any part of the shooter’s body.
Freestyle Limited
- Any type of sight can be used
- Only gloves, tabs, and fingers can be used to release the arrow (exceptions are made for handicapped individuals).
- The rear stabilizer can not touch any part of the shooter’s body.
Competitive Bowhunter
- No device of any kind can be used for sighting.
- No clickers, draw checks, or levels are allowed.
- Only one anchor point is permitted.
- The archer’s index finger shall remain in contact with the arrow nock during the shot cycle.
- Only gloves, tabs, and fingers can be used to release the arrow (exceptions are made for handicapped individuals).
- All arrows must be the same weight, length, diameter, and have the same fletching.
- Draw weight can not be changed during a round.
- No other adjustments to equipment may be made during a round.
Freestyle Bowhunter
- Up to 5 sight pins may be used.
- Release aids are permitted.
- Archery sight pin guards and a level are allowed.
- One anchor point is permitted.
- All arrows must be the same weight, length, diameter, and have the same fletching.
- Stabilizers less than 12 inches (from the back of the bow) are permitted.
- Stabilizers, stabilizer couplings, V-bars, and counter balances may be used.
- No adjustment to equipment is allowed during a round.
Freestyle Limited Bowhunter
The rules for Freestyle Limited Bowhunter are the same as the Freestyle Bowhunter except for the following:
- Only gloves, tabs, and fingers can be used to release the arrow (exceptions are made for handicapped individuals).
- The archer’s index finger shall remain in contact with the arrow nock during the shot cycle.
Traditional
- Only longbows and recurves are allowed.
- No sighting device of any kind can be attached to the bow.
For more information on the rules regarding equipment, visit the NFAA constitution, page 28.