Ken,
When does a dropped arrow become a shot arrow. I asked this question on the ASA web site and the federation director says he interprets the rule this way. If the shooters fingers or release are still on the string when the arrow falls its considered an arrow that can be reshot. Is this the way the IBO interprets rule 5b? If so , could this be written into the rule to help clarify? I think there are alot of guys out there who bump their trigger on a let down and think they can still reshoot the arrow as long as they can reach it from the stake. Thanks

[Deleted by Admins]

This rule is a motivation keep your equipment under control. It was adopted as a way to prevent a shooter simply shooting an arrow into the ground instead of letting down safely.
If you cannot let your bow down under control, you are not within your safety envelope, whatever that is.
Soo-o-o, I would suggest as a basic guideline that if the string propels it, it is shot.Fingers or release still on the string is a good supporting argument.
A shooter cannot waive safe conduct in any circumstance. Whether a shooter can recover a shot arrow within his reach may not apply.

With all that said, I do not believe that we cannot wholly clarify this one to cover the eventualities. Each of us has a reasonable level of common sense that can and should dictate if it is, or if it ain't.
If during competition a shooter looks to call it a shot arrow when common sense says that it was dropped, would also fall into aother category.

ken12

Ken,
I understand the encouragement of the controlled letdown but what I'm talking about are the bloop shots that barely get out of the bow when a shooter has letdown safely (and bumps his release) or has applied slight pressure to the string before the shot and accidentially bloops one a foot or two in front of him. The way the rule is stated now, some guys are going to take a zero on the shot and some are going to reshoot. The only way, in my opinion to get all shooters on the same page is to define clearly what constitutes a shot. Won't bother you any further but still not sure what the IBO's rule 5b really means.

Hoyt Shooter,
The rule actually indicates that an arrow "released",wether accidentally or on purpose would score a zero. I don't disagree with J Doyle very often, but the Bloop shots you describe are accidentally released arrows and should therefore result in a zero score. We all occaisionally drop arrows while loading, nock pops off the string ect.. which would allow you to reclaim your arrow and finish the shot.

[Deleted by Admins]

I think the key word here is "dropped" and not "propelled".
If the arrow drops then go ahead and reshoot it.
But if the arrow is propelled off the string even by the smallest amount of pressure then it can not be reshot and therefore scores a zero.

Thats the way I read the rule.
I could be wrong.


Aussie by birth Texan by choice

I got in trouble saying this last year, but heck I haven't put my foot into the board's mouth for a while.
We presume a level of sportsmanship and common sense for shooters that call themselves bowhunters. We can add and and add to rules and never under any circumstances cover the what abouts.
Think about this, the rules do not say that you cannot use a 270 in the hunter class, but common sense dictates that it is probably not legal.
Was it propelled by the string?????? or not??????
Your call!!!!!!!!
ken12

ASA Rule:

M. Only one arrow, per shooter, per target will be shot from a stake. A dropped arrow that falls while being nocked onto the string in preparation for a shot may be retrieved and shot with no penalty. Penalty: Except as noted, if a shooter shoots two (or more) arrows, the shooter will receive a zero (“0”) for that target.

N. A “Controlled Letdown” must be verbally announced prior to the letdown, with the word “Letdown” or “Down” spoken loudly enough to be audible, and must be acknowledged by the group. If in the process of letting down the arrow is dropped it may be retrieved, but the shooter is responsible for maintaining control of the arrow at all times and the arrow must not be intentionally released. Pointing the bow at the ground immediately in front of the shooter is dangerous and if the arrow is released, other than being dropped, the shooter will receive a score of zero (“0”) for that target.

IBO Rule:

5B. Any arrow released accidentally or deliberately will be, if not in scoring area of target, scored as an O. Any arrow, which is dropped and can be recovered while touching the stake may be re-nocked and re-shot.


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Shoot'em Straight
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If the arrow gets propelled, it's a zero, unless of course it's in the animal. People think that if you point straight down and shoot the arrow, either intentionally or accidentally, you can shoot it again in the ASA, this is not the case, it's a zero. I think the IBO and the ASA rules on this is basically the same. I'm not a vetern ASA'er or anything though, just my .02.