Hunter FT rules

Don't listen to the naysayers. When I was shooting prone with a bipod, high angles were rarely a problem.

2013 Oregon state GP match. The unattached bipod is actually a benefit in this case, and it wasn't even a rule back then.:

Lol, double bipod.....looks like the butt is on the ground ? 

.....looks like the butt is on the ground ?

Click to expand...

It was not.

Mike,there are lots of AAFTA rules that are interpreted in different ways by shooters and match directors, and even board members .... mostly of desire to do something else, but also sometimes due to rules wording being less than clear. Much of this was originally built in to allow more latitude for individual clubs. The match directors have a LOT of latitude to interpret rules according to the AAFTA set.

Its for this reason I suggest shooting some matches to find out by experience how loca clubs do it now (rules seem to change yearly), and also, by face to face with those more well traveled on whats done elsewhere.

This game is a bit like golf in that ranges vary, but also that “customs” are as important as a written rules set.

It pretty obvious that most replies to your original post did not answer your exact question, I assume due to wanting to interject some other gripe about the rules, or because they didnt understand your post well enough. Your reference to LOW bipod from Prone position in HUNTER class seemed to be answered by referring to experience in other classes, of by guessing, with only two guys I could see really had salient personal experience shooting that way in a sanctioned match recently.

The problem you mostly encounter trying to shoot prone is there are too many low obstructions to the targets. At some point in most matches I will have the kill zone obstructed by something from a normal seated position on my bum bag. The target visibility rule seems to mean that the target must be visible from "some" shooting position, not all shooting positions. If your course setter shoots from a bucket and sticks, expect to encounter this more. If your match director shoots WFTF, expect that they will try to make the targets visible when sitting on the ground. Nobody sets a course thinking about catering to prone shooters.

I have shot Hunter Class since its trial class at the 2006 Nationals. Have learned that change can happen if you work at it long enough. Frankly, after the Nationals in AZ (2017) I was told by the BOG Director that after several years of the Trial class called FreeStyle that we would have a Freestyle class the following year. At that time we had a fair amount of FreeStyle shooters accoss the country which many dropped out because that was their preferred class to shoot. Turned out to be a crock of Bull and the BOG banned rule changes for the next year or two. Should be about time to rattle the cage again. I'm getting too old to give a darn any more! Our AFFTA Nationals has always been 75 to 105 competitors for most of its existence. Probably will never get much bigger!

BILL

I shot prone using a hasty sling. No one protested or said a word.

Most FT shooters that know anything about the FT positions agree that the prone position in the Hunter class with attached bipod was the most stable position in HFT. I always felt they needed their own class for it was much more stable than sitting on a bucket with a bipod. Many shooters of the Hunter class couldn't get into the prone position anyway because of age and physcial problems that came with it. AFFTA Bog decided to make the changes they see fit I reckon to discourage the prone position. Unless your shooting in a fairly level field our woods courses make it very difficult to allow all AFFTA positions to get the same look at the target. Over the years the Hunter class has continued to show growth and most of its members are from 50 to 85 but we encourage any age to try it. It is a good class to get a taste of Field Target

Set your rifle up with a forward mounted optic and figure out DEAD MAN position while on a seat & using sticks.
AS or MORE stable.