Newsletter - National Field Archery Society

It provides a mechanism to safely un-cock the crossbow.
If a cocking aid is allowed then yes, it can be used to un-cock the crossbow. But how safely it can be done
depends on the archer’s ability, eg how would someone manage using one hand?
Crossbow performance is limited, exceptionally high poundage crossbows excluded by the 500grn bolt weight
limit combined with the existing arrow speed limit which will control the maximum performance of the crossbow
and limits the KE to that of a 75lb Compound Bow.
What does the proposer mean by “Crossbow performance is limited”? The wording is ambiguous.
The proposer’s comparison of crossbow performance versus a 75lb compound bow is misleading. Weight-forweight,
speed-for-speed, because of its shorter length (on average 1/3rd shorter than a 30” arrow used by a
compound bow archer) it’s significantly easier for a crossbow bolt to pass completely through a layered foam
target butt – especially in wet conditions.
The proposed rule change (500 grain max bolt weight) could increase crossbow bolt KE by up to 25%, thus
increasing the risk of dangerous pass-throughs (due to higher residual KE). The increased KE and momentum
(hitting power) could also make it more difficult to remove crossbow bolts from 3D targets, with an increased
risk of target damage.
Easily policed unlike a draw weight limit any club can verify compliance with the rules using a Chronograph and
a grain scale.
Because it’s a safety issue, every crossbow and crossbow bolt should be checked at every Open Shoot – this
would be unworkable.
Allows those carrying injuries currently shooting with dispensation to compete and extend the competitive life
of older archers.
From this point of view there may be a case for creating an additional XB ‘Limited’ classification for those
archers who, for whatever reason, are unable to cock a crossbow by hand. Allowing the use of a cocking rope,
linked to a maximum draw weight limit (150lbs?) or a reduced arrow speed limit (250 fps?) could be a way forward
(limiting arrow speed would be the easier option to monitor).
Conclusions
I’ve tried to be objective with my comments – but my personal opinion is that allowing cocking aids would be a
step too far for the existing XB classification. I am strongly against Chris Cox’s proposal for safety and
sporting reasons.
The use of cocking aids will encourage the use of heavier weight crossbows and bolts which will have a negative
impact on all aspects of safety in the field.
From the sporting point of view all good crossbow archers know that cocking the bowstring even fractionally
off-centre will destroy accuracy. Cocking a crossbow by hand is the virtual equivalent of ‘finger-shooting’ with
a vertical bow; accuracy depends upon the archer’s skill in drawing and anchoring the bowstring in a consistent
manner.
For all NFAS archers – regardless of their bow style – the draw, pulling the full weight of their bow using
their fingers, forms the foundation of a good shot. It is one of the defining features of the sport of archery.
But use a cocking aid and crossbow shooting becomes something other than archery.
For these reasons I am fundamentally against changing the existing NFAS XB style rules.
Chris Aston
NFAS Xbow Shooting Member
(Independent)
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