NFAA Archery Classes (State Competition)

1. Freestyle (FS)

• The most “open” equipment division.

• Allows movable sights, release aids, long stabilizers, and magnifying lenses.

• Designed for maximum accuracy and performance.

2. Freestyle Limited (FSL)

• Similar to Freestyle but with one big difference: no release aids.

• Archers must use fingers with a tab or glove.

• Still allows sights, stabilizers, and clickers.

3. Freestyle Limited Recurve (FSLR)

• Restricted to recurve bows only.

• Sights, stabilizers, and clickers are allowed, but shooting must be done with fingers.

• Think of it as the Olympic-style class under NFAA rules.

4. Barebow (BB)

• No sights or markings that could help aim.

• Arrows are shot with fingers only (no release aids).

• String walking and face walking are permitted (different finger placements to adjust aim).

• May use a short stabilizer (12″ or less) and an arrow rest/plunger.

• Focuses on instinctive or gap-style aiming.

5. Traditional (TRAD)

• For recurve bows shot in a classic style.

• No sights, no string walking, no stabilizers, and no modern aiming devices.

• One anchor point only (can’t change finger placement down the string).

• The goal is to keep it close to historical, instinctive shooting.

6. Bowhunter Freestyle (BHFS)

• A very popular class, reflecting typical hunting setups.

• Equipment rules:

  • Fixed-pin sights only (no moving or adjusting once shooting starts).

  • No magnifying lenses.

  • Stabilizers max length = 12 inches.

  • Mechanical release aids are allowed.

7. Modern Bowhunter (MBH) –New for 2026

• Bridges the gap between traditional Freestyle Bowhunter and full Freestyle.

• Equipment rules:

  • Movable sights are allowed — you can adjust your sight during a round (single pin sliders, multi-pin adjustable sights, etc.).

  • Stabilizers allowed up to 18 inches (measured from back of bow).

  • Release aids permitted.

  • No magnifying lenses allowed in scopes or sights — scopes must be lens-free.

  • Clickers and draw checks are not allowed.

  • Pin guards and levels are legal.