The CSFTA Constitution and bylaws

  • Constitution

    CSFTA Constitution

    Created 11 December 2013

    Updated 10 Sep 2014 / Updated 15 Sep 2015

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  • Byelaws

    CSFTA Bylaws

    Created 11 December 2013

    Updated 15 Sep 2015

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CSFTA League Rules

  • FT Rules

    CSFTA FT Winter League Shoot Rules 2023/24

    Ratified August 2023, updated 7 November 2023

    The FT shoot rules have been updated with the latest items highlighted in BOLD (Red on the PDF).  Note in particular, the new sections on legal limits on the power of rifles and contesting targets with a crescent showing.  If you have any queries, please feed these back to us via your club rep.

    The Shoot Rules can be downloaded here.

    Course Setting Checklist can be downloaded here.


    For clubs

    • CSFTA clubs that have provided evidence of insurance to the CSFTA Secretary are permitted to host CSFTA Winter League (WL) rounds.
    • The event is a CSFTA event, however, the responsibilities for each individual event lays with the club hosting the event. The host club should nominate a Chief Marshal and appoint course marshals.
    • The CSFTA, with agreement from the club representative will take a % of the takings to cover the purchase of trophies, for the 2023/4 WL this is set at £2 per shooter.
      • There will be 2x raffle (bonus bunny) prizes of £10 each with a split 50/50 between CSFTA/Club. A ‘Randomizer’ phone app to select 2 people at random from signing in sheet on the day
    • WL shoots are open to CSFTA club members, the host’s club members, and with the host’s and CSFTA’s Competition Secretary’s approval to members of BFTA clubs from outside of the region. Note: it is a requirement for competitors to be members of a CSFTA club for their scores to count in the league either as an individual or as a team member.
    • The CSFTA FT WL is run, to the BFTA Main Shoot Rules (MSR) which can be found on the BFTA Website and typically updated annually; all shooters and marshals should familiarise themselves with these rules.
    • All shoots must start with a briefing, which must as a minimum confirm the methodology used to start and stop shooting, from 2023 the CSFTA will provide clubs with air horns which must be used to start and stop shooting. One blast to cease firing, two blasts to commence firing.
    • Pairs/threes of novice shooters should be avoided; instead these should be paired with experienced but not necessarily AA shooters.
    • All rounds to start shooting at 10:30am to allow people from the Isle of Wight enough time to arrive.
    • Rounds should be 40 targets, comprising 15, 25 and 40mm hit-zones only.
    • With more than 40 shooters in attendance the shotgun start should still continue as normal but with the following format for the additional shooters: Where there are more than 40 shooters, but less than 47, pairs should be placed at lane 1 to follow on. Where there are more than 46 shooters, but less than 51, pairs should be made into 3’s and spaced along the line on every odd numbered lane. Where there are more than 50 shooters but less than 60, pairs should be made into 3’s and spaced along the line as evenly as possible. Where there are more than 60 shooters, additional 3’s should be placed at lane 1.
    • Use of the regional chronograph is mandatory and the fps for the pellet used must be recorded. See ‘For Shooters’ for specifics on allowances.
    • The zero-in range should have measured and marked paper targets of sufficient size at least at 25, 35, 45, 55 yards to allow the shooter to confirm their rifle’s accuracy at the most popular ranges, the line and number of targets should be enough to cater for the numbers of shooters present without excessive queuing.
    • In order to challenge both the experienced and novice shooter, clubs are requested to as far as is reasonably possible to adhere to the following BFTA and WFTF rules.
    • The club should provide a list of entries and results from each round to the region’s Competition Secretary. This can be done in electronic form.
    • Toilets must be made available and presented in a clean and tidy state.
    • Given the potential for bad weather during shoots, clubs are encouraged to provide free hot-drinks after the event.
    • Host club marshal/s should have a ratified target tester with them on the day of the competition (as supplied by Brian Samson or Maestro) for checking queried targets.
    • Marshalls should be clearly visible by wearing a high-vis jacket or tabard.

    Course Setting

    • All targets should be clearly visible down to a height of 21cm as measured at the centre of the gate.
    • Targets are to have:
      • Yellow faceplates with black hit-zones, or
      • Black faceplates with yellow hit-zones, or
      • White faceplates with black hit-zones, or
      • Black faceplates with white hit-zones
      • Royal Blue faceplate (only one colour blue may be used on a course, use ‘dell’ logo as an example blue) with white hit-zones.
    • Reduced (25mm) and Mini (15mm) hit-zones
      • 7 in total allowed (2x15mm and 5x25mm) includes no more than 2 x 25mm for positionals: so 1 out of 4 standing, 1 out of 4 kneeling
      • Max of two 15mm to max distance of 25yds.
      • 15mm targets should be positioned no more than +/- 2metres from the feet of the competitor standing at the gate.
      • 15mm hit zones are only allowed on freestyle (not discipline lanes)
      • All other reduced diameter hit-zones shall be 25mm, a maximum of 5 set out to maximum of 35 yds.
    • Discipline targets (enforced kneeling or standing lanes)
      • Only one target in enforced kneeling or standing lanes may be 25mm hit zone set to a maximum distance of 20yds.
      • All targets in enforced kneeling or standing lanes should be to maximum distance of 45 yds.
      • The combined distance of the two targets in enforced kneeling or standing lanes may not exceed 70yds for kneeling or 60yds for standing.
      • The ground at the gate needs to be level and flat (not sloping)
      • The targets need to be visible from seated, kneeling and standing positions to allow for open shooters or those who are not able to kneel.
    • For a balanced course, targets should be equally split between distances as suggested below:
      • 8 targets = 20% @ 10-29yrds (9-28m)
      • 8 targets = 20% @ 30-39yrds (29m-35m)
      • 8 targets = 20% @ 40-49yrds (36-44m)
      • 8 targets = 20% @ 50-55yrds (45-50m)
      • 8 targets = 20% @ discipline (kneeling and standing)


    For shooters

    • Any air rifle/pellet combination in compliance with BFTA MSR rules may be used, however, if the rifle is magazine fed this must, even if empty, be removed after each lane is shot, and when not cased, rifles must not be pointed in an unsafe direction or considered unloaded.
    • Smoking/Vaping during the competition is not permitted.
    • Timing per lane is 3 minutes, self-timed using the timers provided, from when sat down for sitting shots, or when entering the lane for kneeling and standing shots. In the event of a ceasefire All timers are immediately stopped, and any loaded rifles are fired into the ground in front of the shooters and across the firing line. Targets engaged after a ceasefire will not be counted and must be retaken. The timer will be reset to 2 minutes if 1 target remains and 3 mins if 2 targets remain.
    • Once the competition has started, shooters, when not on the lane, should place their rifles in a bag or on a bean bag with the barrel over the firing line.
    • Use of the regional chronograph is mandatory and the fps for the pellet used must be recorded.
      • The BFTA has declared a maximum pellet speed for rifles of 5fps below the 12 ft/lbs limit (see table below).
    • Pellet Weight (Grains) BFTA FPS Legal Limit
      7.9 823 828
      8.4 795 800
      8.6   785 790
      10.3 718 723
      • A minimum of one and a max of 3 registering shots will be allowed over the chronograph, one registering shot must comply with the above limit and no power adjustments are permitted once the competitor has started the competition. Failure of the rifle to comply will disqualify that rifle* for the whole event, but the shooter may complete the course if the fps measures over the BFTA FPS, but under the Legal Limit. In either case the competitor’s card is marked as void. We cannot, for legal and insurance purposes, have anyone shooting over the 12ft/lbs legal limit.
        • *The competitor may not leave the firing line, but a replacement gun may be given to him/ her and the faulty gun etc. removed from the course. The replacement rifle will be tested over the chronograph at the earliest opportunity. If the competitor’s partner(s) are in agreement he/she may continue by sharing a rifle with one or more of them.
    • Shooters wishing to contest a target must not pull the target’s string but wait for a marshal to test the target with a target tester (ratified Brian Samson or Maestro only to be used). Targets which fall when the hit zone is tested top, middle and bottom are deemed to be operationally effective. Targets which fail to fall in any of the three checks are deemed operationally ineffective and must be removed from the competition, and all shooters will have this target voided.
    • Shooters wishing to contest a target where they can see a crescent around any of the kill zone (ie an area that could be shot through) must call the target BEFORE attempting to shoot. If the target is called after an attempted shot, no point will be given and the shooter will not be allowed to retake the shot regardless of whether the target is re-positioned or replaced.
    • Please use the pens provided by the CSFTA as these are specifically designed to write on the CSFTA waterproof score cards.
    • Unless otherwise requested, participation in the competitions, will be taken as consent that shooter’s names can be shared in results tables and photographs of shooters shared on the CSFTA’s Website and Facebook pages.
    • The shoot fee for WL FT shoots is £10.00.

    Scoring

    • Shooters may contest trophies in AA, A, B and C grades, Piston, Open and Sporter classes.
    • Trophies will be provided by the CSFTA, typically three trophies will be awarded in all grades and classes. Where eligible entries are less than five, one less trophy will be awarded for the number of shooters.
    • Open class shooters may take all shots from the bag.
    • Hits (the hit-zone is hit and the target falls) are recorded with a “X” anything else is recorded as a “0”.
    • When the league dates are agreed then the amount of rounds an individual may drop will be agreed at the same time. If there is a change after this but ahead of the league starting then the clubs will agree a new figure of the amount of rounds that can be dropped. A guide is that more than 7 rounds will allow 2 rounds to be dropped, less than 7 will allow just one. Where rounds are cancelled the amount of dropped rounds may not change and where rescheduling can be difficult the round can be considered cancelled without a replacement.
    • Non-regional shooters will have their scores removed from the scores supplied for grading. Their scores however will affect scores for individual and teams.
    • Teams are of 6 shooters from the same club, with 4 to count, teams must be notified to the Competition Secretary prior to the start of the WL and may not be changed thereafter, multiple club teams may be entered.
    • Anyone not in a club team can put their names forward to the Competition Secretary with a view that the Competition Secretary will create an extra “mixed team” from different clubs. Members must all shoot graded (not open).
    • Team scores count for all rounds.
    • All team members must take discipline lanes as specified (standing or kneeling).
    • Team shooters whose scores qualify shall operate under the following scoring system:
      • Top or Equal Top score gets 1 additional point.
      • C Grade 4 additional points.
      • B Grade 3 additional points.
      • A Grade 1 additional point.
      • AA Grade no additional points.
    • Where targets are found to be in breach of BFTA competition rules but not deemed unsafe they shall be included in the scores.
    • Shoot-offs at the end of the season are timed, and conducted on a lane of the chief marshal’s choice. The best of 2 shots kneeling and standing (best of 4 shots in total) should be the first round, if after that then there is still a tie the marshal will choose one of the  targets to be shot standing in a sudden death shoot off (time allowed = 1 minute). This process is repeated until a winner is identified.


    COVID-19 Guidance

    As we learn to live safely with coronavirus (COVID-19), there are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and passing it on to others. These actions will also help to reduce the spread of other respiratory infections, such as flu, which can spread easily and may cause serious illness in some people.  See the gov website for the latest information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-safely-with-respiratory-infections-including-covid-19


    Clubs should ensure that

    • Booking-in takes place in a well ventilated area, not an enclosed space such as a container.
    • Hand sanitiser is available as determined by the club’s risk assessment.

     Shooters must not attend CSFTA shoots if

    • they have a family member who has tested positive Covid-19 in the previous 7 days.
    • they have tested positive for Covid-19 by lateral flow or PCR during the previous 7 days.

     

  • HFT Rules

    CSFTA HFT League rules Updated 2023-2024

    Updated 12 February 2024 to clarify drop scores/rounds.

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RULES FOR CSFTA HFT WINTER LEAGUE (2023-2024), Rev 3, 12 Feb 2024

ANY QUERIES CONCERNING THE CSFTA WINTER LEAGUE HFT SERIES, PLEASE EMAIL

The HFT Shoot Rules can be downloaded here.

ELIGIBILITY

  1. For the 2023-2024 season, the CSFTA HFT Winter League will be made up of teams from CSFTA affiliated clubs. There will be a maximum of 16 teams. There will be 2 divisions, & shooting will be in one session, 3 competitors to a lane (2 sessions will be required if more than 10 teams participate)
  2. Teams may consist of up to 12 shooters – any 5 to be selected to shoot each venue, with the 4 highest scores to count for the team score on the day.
  3. Each team will be allocated 1/2 void card. This void card can be used for a member of the team, another club member, or can be given to another club’s team providing they are shooting within the same session & all team captains agree to the change. Void cards will not be transferrable between sessions. See Scoring section 5.1 for more details on void card scoring.
  4. To win the individual championship title, any competitor must compete as a bona fide team shooter at least once for their scores to count.
  5. A team shooter must be a bona fide member of that team’s home club. Unless authorised by a Winter League meeting, no team transfers will be permitted after the opening round of the competition.
  6. A maximum of two substitutes will be permitted to shoot for a team but these substitutes must not have shot previously for any other team.
  7. As insurance is no longer provided by BFTA, the organisers request that participating clubs provide proof of Public Liability Insurance before the start of the season or at the first shoot.

FEES

  1. Hunter Winter League fees will be £50 per team & will be payable in CASH at the first round. All monies collected will fund trophies when expenses for stationery have been deducted.
  2. There will be a charge of £5 per team member per round (in addition to team entry fee) which will go to the hosting club. It will be the Team Captain’s responsibility to collect these fees & give them to the hosting club’s Winter League Co-ordinator.
  3. Each team will be allocated a void card which will cost £5, this should be paid for by whomever uses the card. The Money for Voids shall go to the region to help fund Prizes

TEAM CAPTAINS RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Team captains are responsible for ensuring that their team is ready to shoot at its allotted time.
  2. Team captains must walk the course & agree all aspects of the course, especially those of safety, prior to the shoot commencing.
  3. Captains will be required to attend a briefing promptly at 9.45am – start time being scheduled for 10.00 am.
  4. Prior to the start of their round, all captains will be given a Team Sheet on which they must record the names of their official team. This team sheet must be returned to host clubs Winter League co-ordinator before the shoot commences. The start of the session will be delayed until the host clubs Winter League co-ordinator is satisfied all team sheets are returned & accounted for.
  5. Official scorecards will be issued to the team captains, marked with the teams start peg & lane details. Only the entries recorded on these Official scorecards will count towards the Winter League team results. The team captains must fill out the shooters name & team name on these score cards.

BOOKING IN

Booking in is the responsibility of the hosting club. Scorecard packs & chronograph (if available) will be provided to the next club at each shoot. The hosting Club’s Winter League Co-ordinator is responsible for handing out the team scorecards & collecting in the team sheets before the session commences. At the end of each session, the host club co-ordinator should collect all the scorecards & marry them up with the team sheets. At the end of the day, all scorecards should be passed to the Winter League coordinator/CSFTA HFT Secretary or a Member of Wendover club if the Secretary is not available.

SCORING

  1.  Scoring is two points for a knockdown, one point for hitting metal, zero points for a miss. It is the responsibility of team captains to ensure that cards are filled out correctly & legibly. A team’s score will be the total of the four best scores of the official team members.
  2. In the team event, the scores will be totalled over ALL rounds & the team with the highest total in each division will be deemed the winner of that division.
  3. In the case of a tie, the next highest scoring member of the team at the last shoot will be used to decide the winner, then if still tied, the 5th shooter from the previous round will be used, until a result is achieved.
  4. The Individual champion of each division will be decided using their best scores and all shooters may drop their worst round/s if they have completed enough rounds. The amount of rounds an individual may drop will be agreed at the beginning of the league. If rounds are cancelled the amount of dropped rounds may not change and where rescheduling can be difficult the round can be considered cancelled without a replacement. In the event of a tie, countback will be used to determine the individual champion. Note for 2023/24 it is best 6 from 7.
  5. Void Cards
  • 5.1. Void cards will not count towards team scores. However, they will count towards the individual championship. Void cards will be entered into the individual scores. Once a shooter has shot on a void card in a session / division, from then on their scores will be recorded in that division’s scores irrespective of which session / division they shoot in from that point on.  Once a void shooter shoots in a team, all of his past void scores (if he has any up to that point) will be moved & recorded in the division his team is shooting in, & his void scores will be highlighted in red so those scores cannot count towards the teams end of year scores.
  • 5.2. To win the individual championship title, any competitor must compete as a bona fide team shooter at least once for their scores to count.

 SHOOT RULES

  1.  The course will consist of 20 targets (min range 8 yards, max range 45 yards), set out in 20 lanes. Each lane will have two shooting positions, each marked by a peg securely fixed at ground level. Lanes should be set out either in a straight line or a horseshoe shape – shooting outwards! Minimum range targets must be assessed rigorously for ricochet risk between the shooting positions of each lane.
  2. Lanes must be at least 5 yards apart to give each shooter on each lane room to shoot if a shooter is also shooting on the adjacent lane. Lanes are to be numbered 1-20. Pegs must be numbered 1-40.
  3. The pegs must be placed behind & a maximum of 1 yard back from the firing line. The competitor’s trigger finger must not cross the firing line. Competitors will take one shot from each peg, with a part of their body touching the peg, a peg attached to a tree DOES NOT make the tree an extension of the peg unless explicitly stated at the shoot briefing on the day. In all cases of pegs on trees, exposed tree roots do not count as the tree.
  4. Targets
    • 4.1. All targets must have white faceplates & red kill zones.
    • 4.2 The target distance is measured from the peg, not the firing line.
    • 4.3. There must be a minimum of 3x & a maximum of 8x 25mm targets. All other targets will have 40mm kill zones. A maximum of 3x 15mm targets can be added to the course if the host club has these targets available.
    • 4.4. From each peg out to a distance of 8 – 35 yards at least 50% of 40mm paddle must be visible from the Prone, Supported Kneeling & Supported Standing position (if applicable). From 35 – 45 yards 100% of the 40mm paddle must be visible. All 25mm & 15mm paddles must be 100% visible from all shooting positions.
    • 4.5. The 25mm targets must be placed at no more than 35 yards distant & must not be used in conjunction with forced standing (supported or unsupported) shots or unsupported kneeling shots.
    • 4.6. The 15mm targets (if used) must be no closer than 13 yards & no further than 25 yards & must be prone only shots.
    • 4.7. Forced standing & kneeling shots must not exceed 35 yards. Targets over 35 yards must be able to be taken from the prone position. Partially obscured targets can be used for supported standing & supported kneeling shots, but not for unsupported standing or unsupported kneeling shots.
    • 4.8. Once the shoot has commenced, there will be no re-siting of targets. Competitors will be informed of the distances to the shortest & longest targets on the course, but not of their location.
  5. There will be no ‘impossible’ shots. All courses must be accessible to all shooters – common sense should prevail here. There will be two course scrutineers selected at random from the morning session captains (not from the host club) who will inspect the course for compliance to the rules & for safety considerations before the shoot commences. If the course does not comply with the required format, they will report to the W/L co-ordinator who will ask the hosting club to rectify any problems before the shoot commences.
  6. The host club will appoint a Chief Marshal. The host club must provide a minimum of 2 on-course marshals with hi-viz armbands (included in the organisers pack).
  7. Time limit is 2 minutes per lane per competitor. The clock will commence as soon as the shooter ‘eyes’ the scope. The second shot in the lane must be fired within the 2-minute limit. If the second shot has not been fired within this limit, the shooter must discharge his/her rifle safely into the ground & score the target as a miss. It is the responsibility of the host club marshals to ensure the time limit is not abused.
  8. There will be no sitting at all to take your shot. The only acceptable use for a beanbag will be to support the lower leg or knee or ankle during kneeling shots.
  9. Kneeling shots must not be taken on a turned foot. The lower leg/shin must not be resting on the ground, only a bean bag can be between the lower leg/shin & ground. The foot must be seen as being vertical (within reason) with the toes on the ground & the heel under the shooter.
  10. Adjustments to equipment must be made on the plinking/zeroing range. There must be no adjustments to rifles, scopes, stock/butt hook attachments on course. Illuminated reticules can be switched on/off only before your first shot on the course. If turned on they must stay on for the entire duration of the session. If there is a mechanical issue with your rifle during the course, you must inform your shooting partner & a course marshal who will then oversee any repairs necessary to ensure no changes are made to the rifle setup. The course marshal will also decide whether the repair is taking too long.
  11. The use of bipods, monopods or any external shooting aids (e.g. shooting sticks) is prohibited. All forms of external range finding apparatus or laser dot type sights are also prohibited. Any competitor found to be using any of these items will be instantly disqaulified from that round.

 CHRONOGRAPHS

  • Use of the regional chronograph is mandatory and the fps for the pellet used must be recorded.
    • The BFTA has declared a maximum pellet speed for rifles of 5fps below the 12 ft/lbs limit (see table below).
    Pellet Weight (Grains) BFTA FPS Legal Limit
    7.9 823 828
    8.4 795 800
    8.6   785 790
    10.3 718 723

    A minimum of one and a max of 3 registering shots will be allowed over the chronograph, one registering shot must comply with the above limit and no power adjustments are permitted once the competitor has started the competition. Failure of the rifle to comply will disqualify that rifle* for the whole event, but the shooter may complete the course if the fps measures over the BFTA FPS, but under the Legal Limit. In either case the competitor’s card is marked as void. We cannot, for legal and insurance purposes, have anyone shooting over the 12ft/lbs legal limit.

    *The competitor may not leave the firing line, but a replacement gun may be given to him/ her and the faulty gun etc. removed from the course. The replacement rifle will be tested over the chronograph at the earliest opportunity. If the competitor’s partner(s) are in agreement he/she may continue by sharing a rifle with one or more of them.

DISPUTES

  • If a target is in dispute after a shot, the shooters on the lane must not move the reset string & call a course marshal immediately to resolve the matter. The marshals decision is final after inspection of the target, if deemed necessary.
  • If there is a scoring dispute after the session is complete, team captains (or their representatives) of teams not involved in the dispute, but present on the day of the shoot will be required to resolve the situation.
  • If no resolution is reached then it is up to the chief marshal on the day to resolve the dispute.

MARSHALLING

  • The ‘buddy’ system of marshalling will be used in the first instance.
  • If no agreement can be made between the shooters, then a course marshal must be called in to mediate. The marshal’s decision will be final.
  • Any disagreements not resolved on the course or come to light after the session has finished must be resolved at a captains meeting immediately after the session is completed.

ABSENTEEISM

  1. If a team arrives late for their scheduled slot, they may join their opponents on their opponents next scheduled lane as directed by the W/L co-ordinator. The latecomers will automatically forfeit any previous lanes.
  2. In the event of a team not turning up on the day, they will score nothing for that round. All members of their opposing team must still shoot the course.

HOST CLUB RESPONSIBILITIES

The hosting club must be able to provide the following:

  1. Satisfactory toilet facilities
  2. Hot food & hot drinks
  3. Adequate car parking facilities – marshalled if necessary
  4. A Chief Marshal, 2 on-course marshals (the Chief Marshal may be one of them) & a Winter League Co-ordinator.
  5. A safety briefing at the beginning of each session.
  6. A zeroing/plinking range that is not a part of the course. It must be available for safe use while the main competition course is being shot.

 TROPHIES

  • Participation Badges with be Awarded to all competitors.
  • Perpetual trophies will be presented to 1st, 2nd & 3rd teams in each division. Awards will also be made to the members of those teams.( maximum 6 Trophys per team). In the individual competition, trophies will be awarded to those finishing 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each division. A perpetual trophy will also be presented to the winner in each division. Perpetual trophies must be returned to the organisers at the final round. It is up to the club / individual of the perpetual trophies to have them engraved ready for the following year.