Grey Ghost:
I think that a possible problem that you are haveing is related to a misconception of the IBO's role at local club shoots. From previous posts I would have believed your interests lie at the national level, but you now state you do not participate in that arena. That is a shame, these major shoots are a great source for information from multiple points. There you would find all of the major venders, a broad spectrum of shooters, world class coaches, many state reps., as well as IBO directors, president, and staff. Almost all of these folks have their lives in one way or another center around bowhunting and archery in general, and most have been participating all of their lives. To insinuate or outright declare that they don't care about any facet of this sport is more than a little insulting. They have all earned more respect than that.

But back to my original point, ie ...IBO's role locally. I am currantly the president of our local club. We just happen to opperate in the proverbial backyard of the IBO office. We are proud of the fact that Ken and his wife, as well as other IBO personnel are members of our club. In addition I consider Ken and his wife to be good personnal friends. The reason I point this out is this; as close as I and our club are associated to both Ken and the IBO, I can tell you that they do not dictate how we run our club. Their insight and knowledge are invaluable to us, but at the end of the day, they need to run a international organization while I protect our local interests. Most times we will agree, but not always. Problems which you have discribed appear to me to be at the club level. Target placement is one prime example. I know there are some clubs who will always place targets at maximum yardage. The damage to the target is minimised. In my opinion this is wrong as well as being the source of over concern for the shooters. If you have a club doing this object to them. The yardage added in the traditional and recurve classes is pretty minimal. For a well set course, your average distance will probably not change by a yard or two. The possibility is there, and should be used occaisionally, but a good set will keep your average within reason. Remember though, this is a competition and should occaisionally take you outside your comfort zone. As for other classes, nationally I don't know what the best combination is. I will trust the individuals monitering the national pulse to judge that. Locally, if I only have three or four recurve/traditional shooters typically attending our shoots, it makes a lot more sence to me to have them compete against each other rather than seperate them. When we hold an IBO sanctioned shoot, we offer all available IBO classes. If it is just our normal local shoot we will reserve the right to combine classes when we feel it best serves our local membership and attendees. As for your suggestion for how to set stake distances. I will oppose that at any opportunity. As an MBO shooter my range is anywhere from 0 to 50 yards. Your suggested method just changed my need to estimate out to 50 yards to only a 25 yard game. Major scoring impact!!! As long as I have any input the stakes will be a more randomized set while maintaining maximums. When you see your white stake behind the yellow (yellow behind Green ect..) you automatically start thinking "this has got to be maximum". Sometimes we play with the short shots, sometimes we play with the long shots, sometimes we play with everyone, and sometimes its just as easy as it looks. We need you to evaluate every shot, and take nothing for face value.