2. MISSION AND VALUES

2.1 Mission:

The promotion of traditional archery, it's equipment and it's ideals. This would be accomplished by educating, preserving, and advancing the public's awareness of traditional archery, as well as by putting forth the positive aspects and enjoyment of using traditional archery equipment, in the field, in games, and in bowhunting.

Focus should be about promoting traditional archery, rather than opposing modern equipment.

A number of annual meetings or gatherings should be held with an eye toward creating an atmosphere of traditional camaraderie among all TASA members.  Such meeting/gatherings should emphasize the shooting of traditional equipment, and the exchange of hunting information, traditional archery skills and bow building.

Membership in TASA shall be open to all who support the goals and objectives of TASA. Motivating archers and bowhunters of all race and sex to know and experience traditional archery and bowhunting in its truest form by fostering, expanding, promoting, protecting and perpetuating:

2.1.1 the simplicity, and beauty of traditional archery and all its skills, crafts and traditions.

2.1.2 ethical bowhunting through ongoing education; and

2.1.3 members' interest and the right to bowhunt, and especially the right to hunt with traditional gear.

2.1.4 building trust relationships with Government, its parastatals and other relevant bodies;

3. OBJECTIVES

3.1 The main object of TASA is to promote traditional archery and bowhunting - whether for recreational target shooting or bowhunting.

3.2 To respect and appreciate nature, the environment and all in it, in humble submission to the Almighty God.

3.3 To endorse the principles of ethical traditional bowhunting and to improve shot placement skills through archery competitions.

3.4 To evolve and conduct programmes and courses that will give recognition to archers, bowhunters and bowyers for proficiency with the traditional bow and arrow in all sanctioned competitions and hunting and for their contributions to traditional archery in general.

3.5 To contribute positively to nature conservation projects, the environment and organisations to enable and secure sustainable utilization of this resource for future generations.

3.6 To ensure that ethical codes as contained in clause 26 hereunder are adhered to at all times.

3.7 To represent all traditional bowhunters and archers with authority and credibility in all matters concerning their interests in the bowhunting and archery environment.

3.8 To regularly inform each member in good standing as to the major problems and issues affecting traditional bowhunting and the sport of archery so that the membership may make its will known to its duly elected representatives.

3.9 To promote the integrity and image of the traditional archery and bowhunting industry.

3.10 To develop and enhance ethical and responsible methods of traditional bowhunting and archery.

3.11 To provide bowhunters with knowledge relevant to the demands of ethical bowhunting.

3.12 To promote bowhunting and traditional archery skills education and providing ongoing education as well as research, so as to influence members to meet the needs and expectations of the community, Government and other bodies regarding ethical bowhunting and traditional archery and the skills and crafts inherent to the tradition.

3.13 To promote the common interests of all traditional archers and bowhunters and the welfare of traditional archery and bowhunting, with regard to the broader interests of members, and endeavor to reconcile, where there may be conflict, the interests of the traditional bowhunter and archer.

3.14 To maintain and enhance the ethical standards, prestige and standing of the association and of its members nationally, and if need be internationally.

3.15 To strive towards the successful implementation of a national system of traditional bowhunting and a national system for traditional archery competitions.

3.16 To protect, improve and promote the sport of ethical bowhunting as well as that of archery in general.

3.17 To encourage the use of the traditional bow and arrow in the hunting of all legal game birds and animals.

3.18 To foster and perpetuate a spirit of good fellowship and sportsmanship among all traditional archers.

24. PARTICIPATION IN ARCHERY COMPETITIONS

24.1  TASA  practices  competitions  that  primarily  incorporate  fieldpoints  and  occasionally broadheads in order to strive for the following:

24.1.1 The participant's general adeptness with his/her archery equipment shall be tested - including to cater for those with no intention to actually hunt.

24.1.2 The participant's bowhunting ability shall be tested according to stringent ethical codes and rules under equal conditions on the hunting ground.

24.1.3 The competition comprises of a course that includes 3D and/or 2D targets that entitles participants to practice their shot placements. Hereby participants earn points determined in three categories, of whom the participant with the highest score wins that specific competition (see paragraph 25 for further details).

24.4  Competitions  shall  be  arranged  in  advance  and  the  responsibility  to  register  for  a competition shall rest with the participant on the day of the competition.

25. RULES AND REGULATIONS OF COMPETITIONS

25.1 Archers will be divided into two broad categories viz. "longbow" and "recurve".

25.1.1 Further divisions, such as age and gender will be implemented - dependent upon the variety of participants at each competition

25.1.2 Participants shall use fieldpoints, unless the competition rules state otherwise.

25.1.3 In the event of a competition where broadheads are used, the following shall apply:

25.1.3.1 Mechanicals may not be used.

25.1.3.2 Practice blades may be used.

25.1.3.3  The participant may not shoot with damaged broadheads.  Targets shot with damaged broadheads will score ZERO.

25.1.3.4 Broadheads must have a cutting diameter of more than 18 mm.

25.2 The equipment parameters shall be as follows:

25.2.1 A recurve or longbow with no sighting device.

25.2.2 Arrows should be shot from a shelf or hand with no elevated rest.

25.2.3.Only a piece of leather or similar material, shall be allowed on the arrow shelf.

25.2.4 There will be no markings on the bowstring that could be construed as sighting marks.

25.2.5 There will not be any type of draw check on the bow string.

25.2.6 There will only be one nocking point on the string.

25.2.7 Must be shot with a glove / finger tabs or bare fingers.

25.2.8 No stabilizers or counter balances shall be allowed.

25.2.9 While shooting the archer shall touch the arrow with the index finger against the nock, and using a single anchor point.

25.2.10 The arrow shall be of same material and in uniform length / weight.

25.2.11 The arrow shall have Screw in / Glued on points.

25.2.12 A minimum of (3) 4" vanes or feathers, dyna vanes or similar are allowed.

25.3 Points system:

KILL - 5 points: when the shaft of the arrow cuts through the kill line or is inside the kill area.

WOUND - Minus 1 point: when the arrow is lodged anywhere in the animal outside the kill area.

MISS - Zero.

25.4 The organisers may, from time to time, in an effort to explore different scoring options, apply alternative points and distance allocations to targets.  Participants shall be informed of these details in advance of the competition.

25.5 Any portion of the participant's foot must be within 10 cm behind the marker.

25.6 Maximum shooting distances will be as follows:

25.6.1 Senior Men (17 years and older) shoot maximum 35 yds.

25.6.2 Senior Women (17 years and older) and all Juniors (13-16 years) shoot maximum 25 yds.

25.6.3 Cubs (children 12 years and younger) shoot from a maximum distance of 15 yds.

25.6.4 Where alternate scoring systems are used - where all participants may choose their marker for each target - the maximum distances will not apply.

25.7 Range finders may not be used

25.8 Binoculars may be used.

25.9 Participants may not move or modify any natural or man-made features on the course, e.g. moving of grass, branches or leaves.

25.10 Non-members do not qualify for prizes, but do qualify for lucky draws and medals.

25.11 No alcoholic drinks are allowed on shooting range.