First let me say how much I appreciate the IBO having a longbow class that is more in line with what the majority of longbow shooters most often actually shoot (wood arrows with a split finger release}This what some see as overly restrictive set of rules allows people insted of equipment or shooting style to compete on an equal basis. As to the distances for this division, this is a game not hunting, I seriously doubt that many of the compound shooters would take a shot at fifty yards while hunting any more than a longbow shooter would at thirty five. They realise it is a game and consider the greater distance a challenge not a handicapp. As to this being a English longbow division I suggest you look at the British Longbow Association if you want to see restrictive rules. The IBO is correct in setting these rules and sticking with them rather than following the lead of earlier organizations such as the NFAA that kept allowing more and more until true traditional shooting was pushed out> There is a place for three under and any arrow so allow those of us who shoot wood and split fingers to have ours. If you are not reciving any encouragement from other longbow shooters (very unusual) perhaps it is because they dont want to change from how they choose to shoot and are tired of always hearing about how it should be from someone who likes to play a different way.