OUTDOOR FORMAT AND RULES
**ALL IAA EVENTS AND STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL FOLLOW IAA RULES AND CLASSES**
CLASSES:
Youth Classes (FREE)
Future Bowhunter (FBH) Open to any gender 8 and under. This is a non-competitive class. Archer shall use walk
up method and shoot from a distance he/she is comfortable with. ($5) *NO CHARGE IN MICHIGAN*
Cub (Cub) Open to any gender 9 to 12 years of age. No restriction on equipment used except maximum poundage (40lbs). CUB archers will shoot from the white stake. *Rangefinders Are Allowed* ($10) *NO CHARGE IN MICHIGAN*
Youth Hunter Known 13-14 (YHK 13-14) open to any gender. Archers in this class will use the same equipment as archers in the HC class. Archers will shoot from the white stake. *Rangefinders Are Allowed*
Youth Hunter Known 15-17 (YHK 15-17) Open to any gender. Archers in this class will use the same equipment as archers in the HC class. Archers will shoot from the yellow stake. *Rangefinders Allowed*
Youth Open 13-17 (YO 13-17) Open to any gender. Equipment shall have no restriction on sights, stabilizers, or style of release. Archers will shoot from the yellow stake. *Rangefinders Are Allowed*
Youth Traditional 13-17 (YTRD 13-17) Open to any gender. Equipment shall be the same as the TRD Class. Archers will shoot from the white stake. *Rangefinders Are Allowed*
Adult Trophy Classes ($15)
Hunter Class Known (HCK) Bow may be shot with or without sights. Sight must be an actual “Hunting Sight” (disputes will be settled by the IAA). Magnification is not allowed. A front stabilizer or a system with quick releases, enhancers and/or weights may be used but cannot exceed 12” from the tip pf the stabilizer or ‘system” to the point of attachment on the front of the riser. A rear stabilizer or a back bar system may be used with no restriction on bar length. HCK archers shoot from the yellow stake. Rangefinders are allowed.
Female Hunter Known (FHK) Archers in this class use the same equipment as the Hunter Class Known (HCK). Rangefinders are allowed. Archer will shoot from the yellow stake.
Senior Female Hunter Known (SFHK) Optional class for archers 50 years or older. Archers in this class must use the same equipment as the Hunter Class Known(HCK). SFHK shooters may use a lens with no restrictions on magnification. Rangefinders are allowed. Archer will shoot from the yellow stake.
Senior Hunter Known (SHK) Optional class for archers 50 years or older. Archers will use the same equipment as the Hunter Class Known (HCK). SHK shooters may use a lens with no restrictions on magnification. Rangefinders are allowed. Archer will shoot from the yellow stake.
Super Senior Hunter Known (SSHK) Optional Hunter Class for archers 60 and older. Archers will use the same equipment as the Hunter Class Known (HCK). SHK shooters may use a lens with no restrictions on magnification. Rangefinders are allowed. Archer will shoot from the yellow stake.
Master Hunter Known (MHK) Optional Hunter Class for archers 70 and older. Archers will use the same equipment as the Hunter Class Known (HCK). MHK shooters may use a lens with no restrictions on magnification. Rangefinders are allowed. Archer will shoot from the yellow stake.
Female Known 35 (FK35) No restriction on sights, stabilizer, or style of release. Rangefinders are allowed. Archers will shoot from the yellow stake.
Traditional (TRD) Open to any gender. Equipment shall consist of a Recurve or Longbow without wheels or cams. Elevated rest and plunger are allowed. No stabilizer. No sights or markings on the bow that may be used as a sighting device. Fingers must touch the string using a glove, tab, or bare fingers for release. At least one finger must be in contact with the arrow. No string walking or clickers. Rangefinders are allowed. Archer will shoot from the white stake.
Barebow Recurve Known (BRK) Open to any gender. Bows must conform to the World Archery definition of a bare bow as found in World Archery Rules, Book 4 (Field and 3D Archery), Chapter 22, Sections 22.3 thru 22.3.10.1. Rangefinders are allowed. Archers will shoot from the yellow stake.
Trophy Known 40 (TK40) Open to any age and gender. No restriction on sights, stabilizer, or style of release. Rangefinders are allowed. Archers will shoot from the red stake.
Senior Trophy Known 40 (STK40) Optional class for archers 50 years and older. No restriction on sights, stabilizer, or style of release. Rangefinders are allowed. Archers will shoot from the red stake.
Super Senior Trophy Known 40 (SSTK40) Optional class for archers 60 years and older. No restriction on sights, stabilizer, or style of release. Rangefinders are allowed. Archers will shoot from the red stake
Physically Challenged (PCBH) Open to any age and gender. An optional class for archers that have an impairment recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act. No restrictions on equipment. Rangefinders are allowed. Archer will shoot from the yellow stake.
Crossbow (X-BOW) Open to any age and gender. Must be standard production crossbow. No extra equipment used for bracing will be allowed. Must be shot “Free Hand” Bolts must be no less than 20/64ths in diameter and no shorter than 14 inches. All bolts must be identical in type, size, and point weight. Bolts must use at least 3 vanes or feathers and screw in field points. 350 fps Speed limit. **X-BOW MUST BE INSPECTED PRIOR TO COMPETING** Rangefinders are allowed. Archer will shoot from the green stake.
Adult Money Classes ($25)
Advanced Hunter Known (AHK) Open to any gender. Archers in this class must use the same equipment as archers in the Hunter Class Known (HCK) except sight must be fixed pins. Rangefinders are allowed. Archers will shoot from the red Stake.
Senior Advanced Hunter Known (SAHK) Optional class for archers 50 years and older. Archers in this class must use the same equipment as archers in the Hunter Class Known (HCK). SAHK shooters may use a lens with no restrictions on magnification. Rangefinders are allowed. Archers will shoot from the red stake.
Advanced Hunter Adjustable Known (AHAK) Open to any gender. Archers in this class must use the same equipment as archers in the Hunter Class Known (HCK). Adjustable style hunting sight allowed. Questionable sights must be approved by the IAA. Rangefinders are allowed. Archers will shoot from the red stake.
Female Known 40 (FK40) No restriction on sights, stabilizers, or style of release. Rangefinders are allowed. Archers will shoot from the red stake.
Senior Female Known 40 (SFK40) Optional class for archers 50 years and older. No restriction on sights, stabilizers, or style of release. Rangefinders are allowed. Archers will shoot from the red stake.
Super Senior Known 40 (SSK40) Optional class for archers 60 years and older. No restriction on sights, stabilizers, or style of release. Rangefinders are allowed. Archers will shoot from the red stake.
Known 45 (K45) Open to any gender. No restriction on sights, stabilizers, or style of release. Rangefinders are allowed. Archer will shoot from the green stake.
Senior Known 45 (SK45) Optional class for archers 50 years and older. No restriction on sights, stabilizers, or style of release. Rangefinders are allowed. Archers will shoot from the green stake
Known 50 (K50) Open to any gender. No restriction on sights, stabilizers, or style of release. Rangefinders are allowed. Archers will shoot from the blue stake.
Unknown Open - Open to any gender. No restriction on sights, stabilizers, or style of release. 45 Yard class, Range finders NOT allowed. Archers will shoot from the green stake. Trial class for 1 year.
Unknown Bowhunter Open to any gender. Archers in this class must use the same equipment as archers in the Hunter Class Known (HCK) except sight must be fixed pins. Range finders NOT allowed. Archers will shoot from the yellow stake. Trial class for 1 year.
White......…25 yrds
Yellow…..…35 yrds
Red............40 yrds
Green.........45 yrds
Blue........…50 yrds
Eligibility And Qualifications To Shoot
If an archer’s birthday falls after April 1st the archer will remain in that class until March 31st of the following year. An archer may not drop down in class (max yardage) during a tournament year without permission from the IAA. Lateral moves will be allowed (class of equal yardage) but such move must be stated at registration.
An archer that wins his/her overall class, Archer of the year in any money class, is required to move up in class the following year. This is only in Money Classes, move-ups are required until you meet the max yardage or age group based on your equipment.
A class must have at least 3 archers to have a winner at the event and 3 eligible archers to award an overall champion.
A Trophy class must have 5 participants to award a plaque and will be awarded on a 1:5 ratio with a maximum of 3 being awarded.
To qualify to win “Archer of the Year” an archer must compete in 4 events and the state championship. 3 Eligible archers in class are required to declare/award a winner.
“Archer of the Year” for each class will be determined by cumulative score and ties will be broken based off 11 counts. If 11 count is tied it will be broken based off 14s.
“Archer of the Year” Winners WILL have an automatic spot in the “Jim Morrow King of the Stake” shoot off.
In order to eligible to receive an award at the “State Championship” you must compete in at least 2 IAA outdoor events.
Targets
The approximate maximum distance for each stake shall be as follows:
White Stake – 25 yards
Yellow Stake – 35 yards
Red Stake – 40 yards
Green Stake - 45 yards
Blue Stake – 50 yards
Targets shall be set so they are distinguishable with their vital areas (8 ring) unobstructed.
Care shall be taken to not over rotate or excessively lean the targets.
All scoring rings Must be visible and zero obstructions above the target to accommodate all archers height and arrows speeds.
Scoring Areas
An 11 ring consisting of a circle within the 10 ring.
A 10 ring consisting of a circle within the vital area.
A vital area (8 ring) that roughly approximates the heart, lung, and liver area.
The remainder of the animal, including the leg or hoof shall be considered the body (scoring as a 5).
An arrow that misses the target shall be scored a zero.
***At each leg of the tournament, targets #5, #10, #15, #20, #25 and #30 (only these six targets) will be designated as having a 14 ring in play. It is each individual archers choice if they want to try for the 14 ring or the 11 ring on any of these designated targets. THE ARCHER MUST STATE TO HIS/HER GROUP THEY ARE TRYING FOR THE 14 RING PRIOR TO THE SHOT. ONCE AN ARCHER STATES THEY ARE TRYING FOR THE 14 RING THEY MUST SHOOT FOR THE 14 RING, THE 11 RING IS THEN DEEMED A 10 (IF ARCHERS ARROW HITS THE 11 RING IT WILL ONLY COUNT AS A 10)***
Equipment
Arrows must weigh at least 5 grains per pound of the bows shooting weight.
Shooting weight is defined as the bows maximum draw weight as set up at the time of competition.
Draw weight shall not be adjusted after entering the shooting course.
A maximum arrow diameter of 27/64 will be allowed in all classes.
Cub and Future Bowhunter class will have a max draw weight of 40lbs, all other classes the max draw weight of 80lbs.
There is no limit to the number of pins on a sight.
Sights that project a laser light or other aiming dot on the target are illegal in all classes
A verifier or clarifier style peep sight shall be allowed in all classes that permit the use of sights.
Shooting Rules and Etiquette
Shooting groups shall not consist solely of friends and relatives.
Host club will be responsible for grouping archers.
**ANY UNAUTHORIZED ALTERING OF SET GROUPS WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION**
When shooting, the archer must touch the appropriate stake with some part of his/her body. Archer can use 1 step off of the shooting stake per course if needed. Each archer shall be allowed a maximum of 2 minutes to complete his/her shot. Time will begin for the first archer when the previous group clears the target. Time will begin for the next archer when the previous archer releases his/her arrow. ARCHERS ARE TO CLEAR THE STAKE BEFORE USING BINOCULARS TO CHECK WHERE SHOT WENT.
Archers MUST be sensitive to the time concerns of the groups behind them and make every attempt to shoot in a timely manner. An archer found to be over the allotted time after being warned shall have 5 points deducted from his/her score. An archer that continues to violate the time limit may be disqualified.
After shooting, the archer must immediately clear the stake for the next shooter. Using binoculars from the stake AFTER the shot is prohibited. Repeated violations will result in a 5 point deduction for each violation.
No more than 1 umbrella may be used to assist a shooter at the stake.
Archers using adjustable sights may not adjust their sight elevation after drawing the bow and sighting the target.
Scoring Arrows
Scores will be tabulated as follows:
14 points (Targets #5, #10, #15, #20, #25 and #30 at each event will be designated as having the “14 ring” in play)
14’s and 11’s will be tabulated separately.
11 Points (11 ring) **If an archer is shooting for the 14 ring, the 11 ring will count as 10 points if hit**
10 Points (10 ring)
8 Points (Vitals)
5 Points (Body
0 Points (Miss or shooting horn)
If a target has a back kill area the hosting club will designate which area shall be used. In the event that such a target is not posted, either scoring area can be used. An arrow touching the line of a greater scoring area shall be given the higher score. A pass through or bounce back may be scored if witnessed and agreed upon by the majority of archers in the group. An arrow released or dropped accidentally will be scored a zero unless the archer is able to retrieve it while touching the stake.
Tie Scores
11s Will be used to break ties. The archer with the most 11s will be declared the winner. If this results in a tie, the first 11 recorded will be used as a tie breaker. (Example: if each archer shot an 11 on the first target, and archer 1 shot a 10 on the 2nd target and archer 2 shot an 11 on the 2nd target, archer number 2 shall be declared the winner. If this results in a tie 14s will be used. If this again results in a tie a shoot-off will be used, if feasible, and if not, administrators will use a coin toss.
Rangefinders and Binoculars
Binoculars are allowed in all classes. Rangefinders are allowed in all classes, unless shooting in Unknown Division.
Equipment failures and leaving the course
Once an archer begins the shooting course, he/she must finish with his/her group unless given permission by a range official. In the event of equipment failure, a range official must rule that the equipment issue is eligible. Said range official will hold the archer’s scorecards until repairs have been made and the archer resumes competition.