Last Update: August 6, 2014 Page 1 of 6
Broadhead Flight
(USA Archery Only)
The Broadhead Flight events reflect the type of arrows and equipment used for hunting. The Broadhead Flight equipment divisions are unique to USA Archery. Refer to the Regular Flight Rules regarding field layout, registration, measurement, and shooting.
1. REGISTRATION
A. Bow Qualification (Broadhead)
i) The maximum draw weight of the bow is determined using the longest arrow registered.
Compound Bows (with draw weight let-off): Draw weight is determined at the "break over" point or position of the normally drawn bow at which maximum poundage is achieved.
Bows (without draw weight let-off): The draw weight is measured at the point the arrow can no longer be safely drawn.
For bows without an arrow shelf or arrow rest: The broadhead must be mounted horizontally. The draw weight is taken when the back of the broadhead touches the back of the bow.
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Broadhead Flight Equipment
1. BROADHEAD-FLIGHT BOW
The Broadhead-Flight Bow Division represents conventional (non-compound) bows used for hunting. Flight Bows, Target Bows, Field Bows, or Modern Asiatic Bows may be shot in this division provided it meets the requirements below.
A. BOW
i) The Broadhead Bow is defined as a hand-held bow which is constructed so that there is no mechanical advantage obtained by the use of accessory limbs, levers, pulleys, eccentrics, or other similar mechanical devices.
ii) Keyhole bows, forward handle extensions, and overdraws are allowed.
iii) Bow length is unrestricted.
iv) Multi-piece takedowns with variable tiller adjustment are allowed.
v) The bow may have attached accessories such as stabilizers, draw-check indicators (clicker), angle finders, protective shields, and sights.
vi) Bow draw weights are as follows:
50 lbs. (22.7 kg) Women, Men, and Youth
70 lbs. (31.8 kg) Men
Unlimited Women, Men, and Youth
B. BOW STRING
i) There are no restrictions on the bow string construction or type of materials used.
C. RELEASE
i) Release aids must be hand-held non-mechanical types and must not have any attachment or anchor above the wrist (with the exception of a shooting glove).
ii) Acceptable examples of non-mechanical release aids are: hook types (six-gold ring), flipper, fixed hook & loop, strap tab, rope-type release, shooting tab, thumb ring, or shooting glove.
D. ARROWS
i) The arrow shaft and nocks may use any synthetic or natural material.
ii) Fletching shall consist of either feathers or vanes constructed of any natural or synthetic material. The total combined length of the fletching shall not be less than 12 inches (30.5 cm) for men, and 10-1/2 inches (26.7 cm) for Women and Youth. Each feather or vane shall not be less than 7/16 inches (11 mm) in height.
iii) Minimum arrow weights are as follows:
450 grains Men
400 grains Women and Youth
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iv) Broadheads must not pass through a 7/8 inch (22 mm) ring, and must have at least two cutting edges not less than Ύ inches (19 mm) in length. Broadheads must be commercially manufactured and not altered in any way.
E. ARROW REST
i) An elevated rest and overdraw is allowed, but must not extend past the brace height of the bow.
ii) A protective glove for the bow hand is permitted as long as it is not attached directly to the bow.
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2. BROADHEAD FLIGHT-COMPOUND BOW
The Compound Broadhead Flight Bow Division is unique to the broadhead flight competition. Compound Flight Bows and Compound Target Bows may be shot in this division provided they meet the requirements below.
A. BOW
i) A Compound Flight bow is a hand-shot bow which is constructed so that a mechanical advantage is obtained by the use of accessory limbs, levers, pulleys, eccentrics, or other similar mechanical devices.
ii) Keyhole bows, forward handle extensions, and overdraws are allowed.
iii) Accessories such as shields, angle finders, stabilizers, and sights are allowed.
iv) Multi-piece takedowns with variable tiller adjustment are allowed.
v) The bow may have attached accessories such as stabilizers, draw-check indicators (clicker), angle finders, protective shields, and sights.
vi) Bow draw weights are as follows:
50 lbs. (22.7 kg) Women, Men, and Youth
70 lbs. (31.8 kg) Men
Unlimited Women, Men, and Youth
B. BOW STRING
i) There are no restrictions on the bow string construction or type of materials used.
C. RELEASE
i) Mechanical release aids are allowed.
ii) A flight release is to be hand-held. No release attachment or anchor above the wrist is permitted (with the exception of a shooting glove).
D. ARROWS
i) The arrow shaft and nocks may be of any synthetic or natural material.
ii) Fletching shall consist of either feathers or vanes. The total combined length of the fletching shall not be less than 12 inches (30.5 cm) for men, and 10-1/2 inches (26.7 cm) for Women and Youth. Each feather or vane shall not be less than 7/16 inches (11 mm) in height.
iii) If vanes are to be used, they must be commercially manufactured and not altered.
iv) Minimum arrow weights are as follows:
450 grains Men
400 grains Women and Youth
v) Broadhead points must not pass through a 7/8 inch (22 mm) ring and must have at least two cutting edges not less than Ύ inches (19 mm) in length. Broadheads must be commercially manufactured and not altered in any way.
E. ARROW REST
i) An elevated rest and overdraw is allowed, but must not extend past the brace height of the bow.
ii) A protective glove for the bow hand is permitted as long as it is not attached directly to the bow.
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3. BROADHEAD-FLIGHT LONGBOW
The Broadhead Longbow Division is a direct counterpart to the Modern American Longbow division in regular flight. The English Longbow and Yumi may be shot in this division provided they meet the Modern American Longbow division requirements in addition to the following broadhead specific rules.
A. BOW
i) The Broadhead Longbow must conform to the Modern American Longbow flight rules.
ii) Bow draw weights are as follows:
35 lbs. (15.9 kg) Women, Men, and Youth
50 lbs. (22.7 kg) Women, Men, and Youth
70 lbs. (31.8 kg) Men
Unlimited Women, Men, and Youth
B. BROADHEAD ARROWS
i) Arrow construction and materials must conform to those specified in the Modern American Longbow flight rules.
ii) Fletching shall consist of feathers only. The total combined fletching shall not be less than three 5 inch (12.7 cm) long feathers for Men and three 4-1/2 inches (11.4 cm) long feathers for Women and Youth. Each feather must not be less than ½ inch (13 mm) in height. Feathers must retain their parabolic or straight line shape.
iii) Concave fletching shapes are not allowed. Boat Tail shapes are not allowed. A Boat Tail fletch is defined as any portion of the high point occurring in the forward half of the fletch.
iv) Minimum broadhead arrow weights are as follows:
550 grains Men
450 grains Women and Youth
v) Broadheads must not pass through a 7/8 inch (22 mm) ring, and must have at least two cutting edges not less than Ύ inches (19 mm) in length. Broadheads must be commercially manufactured and not altered in any way.
vi) Broadhead points must be mounted on the arrow shaft so that it rests in a horizontal position when the arrow is nocked on the bowstring. For multi-blade points, one of the widest blades must be mounted in a horizontal position on the side of the arrow facing the bow when the arrow is nocked on the bowstring.
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4. BROADHEAD-FLIGHT PRIMITIVE BOW
The primitive divisions require equipment to be made from natural materials only. In addition to the following Broadhead specific rules, primitive broadhead divisions must meet the the regular Primitive Division flight rules.
A. BOW
i) The PRIMITIVE SELF and PRIMITIVE SIMPLE COMPOSITE are the only divisions scheduled for the Broadhead events. Refer to the regular flight rules regarding equipment rules for these divisions.
ii) Bow draw weights are as follows:
50 lbs. (22.7 kg) Women, Men, and Youth
Unlimited Women, Men, and Youth
B. PRIMITIVE BROADHEAD ARROWS
i) Primitive broadhead arrows materials and construction must meet the regular flight primitive division requirements.
ii) Fletching shall consist of either legal feathers or vanes using natural materials. The total combined fletching shall not be less than three 4 inch (10.2 cm) long feathers or vanes for Women, Men, and Youth competitors. Each feather or vane shall not be less than ½ inch (13 mm) high.
iii) Minimum arrow weights are as follows:
500 grains Men, Women and Youth
iv) Broadhead points must not pass through a 7/8 inch (22 mm) ring and must have at least two cutting edges not less than Ύ inches (19 mm) in length.
v) Broadhead points may be made from metallic or other effective natural material.
vi) Broadhead points must be mounted on the arrow shaft so that it rests in a horizontal position when the arrow is nocked on the bowstring. For multi-blade points, one of the widest blades must be mounted in a horizontal position on the side of the arrow facing the bow when the arrow is nocked on the bowstring.
