National Field Archery Association

National Field Archery Association
Name	National Field Archery Association
Founded	1939
Location	Yankton, South Dakota
Focus	Field archery
Website	https://www.nfaausa.com

National Field Archery Association. The National Field Archery Association is the primary governing body for field archery in the United States. Founded in the mid-20th century, it establishes standardized rules, sanctions competitive events, and promotes the sport across the nation. The organization is dedicated to fostering participation in all forms of archery conducted in natural, often rugged, terrain.

History

The organization was formally established in 1939 by a group of dedicated archers in Redlands, California, seeking to create a structured alternative to target archery. Key early figures included Dr. Robert P. Elmer, a prominent advocate for bowhunting and traditional archery methods. Its growth paralleled the post-war surge in outdoor recreation, with the first official National Championship held in 1946. The association's headquarters later moved to Yankton, South Dakota, aligning it with other major archery organizations like the National Archery Association and the Archery Shooters Association.

Organization and governance

The association operates under a board of directors elected by its membership, which sets policy and strategic direction. Day-to-day management is handled by an executive director and staff at its headquarters. Regional chapters and affiliated clubs, such as those within the California Bowmen Hunters network, operate under its sanction. Key committees oversee areas like rules, tournament sanctioning, and coaching certification, ensuring consistency with guidelines from World Archery and the International Field Archery Association.

Competitions and events

The association sanctions a full calendar of events, culminating in the prestigious NFAA National Championship held annually. Major tournaments include the NFAA Indoor Nationals, the NFAA Outdoor Nationals, and the NFAA Marked 3D Nationals. It also organizes the NFAA Vegas Shoot, one of the world's largest indoor archery events held at the Tropicana Las Vegas. These competitions feed into the selection process for the United States Archery Team in field disciplines and are recognized on the World Archery calendar.

Archery disciplines and rounds

The NFAA governs several distinct shooting styles, including Freestyle, Barebow, and Traditional Archery. Standardized rounds include the Field Round, Hunter Round, and Animal Round, each with unique target face designs and shooting distances. It also heavily promotes 3D archery, using life-size foam animal targets in realistic settings, with rules distinct from those of the International Bowhunting Organization. All rounds are designed to test skill across variable terrain, angles, and lighting conditions, differing from the standardized distances of FITA target archery.

Membership and programs

Membership is open to individuals and clubs, offering benefits like subscription to Bowhunter Magazine, liability insurance, and eligibility for sanctioned events. The association runs the NFAA Scholastic 3D Program to engage youth in schools, alongside the NFAA Bowman Program for beginners. It maintains a robust coaching education system in conjunction with USA Archery and offers the NFAA Professional Archers Association for elite competitors. These initiatives aim to develop archers from novice levels to potential Olympic Games competitors.

Affiliations and recognition

The NFAA is a recognized member organization of USA Archery, the national governing body for Olympic archery, and works closely with the Archery Trade Association. It maintains a formal affiliation with World Archery for international field archery events, including the World Field Archery Championships. The association's rules and classifications are widely adopted across North America and influence the standards of the International Field Archery Association. Its role in developing bowhunting ethics and conservation is also acknowledged by groups like the National Rifle Association and various state wildlife agencies.

Category:Archery organizations Category:Sports governing bodies in the United States Category:Organizations based in South Dakota