The question is a good one.
Both my son and I shoot both NFAS and GNAS field and thoroughly enjoy both.
I think the problems with GNAS field are these:
1) There are not that many clubs in the country. We live in Yorkshire and there is only one ? the next nearest is Kendal or Cheshire. Therefore unless you live in the Wakefield area and are willing to join Dearne Valley then you are severely limited. The density of clubs very much depends upon where you live.
2) There is a common misconception that you will lose a lot of arrows. If you are new to GNAS field and are happy to begin with just the marked distances, then as long as you have reliable sight marks, the chances of losing an arrow should be pretty slim.
With regards to unmarked distances ? these are set within certain parameters depending upon the size of face, so with some experience you can guage the distances with some reasonable degree of accuracy
3) Field archery is not well funded (pathetically actually particularly when you see how successful our GB team is) by Archery GB ? it is rarely promoted (unless we win something internationally) and seems to Archery GB to be a minor inconvenience to the Olympic mission. This is interesting as a higher proportion of GNAS field archers shoot competitively than those in target archery.
4) Field archery generally can be somewhat confusing not only to those who have never tried it, but also within the separate governing bodies. Some in the NFAS are very quick to denounce GNAS (or World Archery) field archery as just target archery in a wood, without actually giving it a go. Many don?t even realise that there are unmarked rounds or 3D rounds.
Some GNAS archers see NFAS archers as some kind of ill disciplined bunch who roam about the woods shooting at anything with no regard to safety ? again very unfair. All this and we havn?t even mentioned EFAA. No wonder there is confusion amongst those who?ve never tried it!
5) The fact that a GNAS archer cant shoot an NFAS course and vice versa (due to insurance issues) does little to progress the discipline in either society ? it?s a shame something cant be done about it.
In summary, both GNAS & NFAS have plenty to offer and ultimately the only real difference when it comes down to the real basics is the type of target you shoot. Sure the number of arrows shot and the distances etc vary but fundamentally they involve shooting at targets in woodland and over rough terrain. Both are extremely good fun and really challenging. I havnt done EFAA but there is no reason to suspect that is any different.
Many of our top archers do field archery (both seniors and juniors) and if pushed many of them would say that they prefer field archery I?m sure.
If you are lucky enough to live near a field archery club (NFAS, GNAS or EFAA) then I would urge you to have a go at field archery ? it?s a Grand Day Out ? but be warned ? it is highly addictive!