ORIGINAL: buckeyebuckhntr
Swamp
Lot's of good points in you post, thanks for the reply.
I'll bounce this off you too....an average of 8 makes a 30 target score of 240. the tournament I shot last week had 80+ shooters in bowhunter class...and only 30 or so of those shooters had over 240. Weather was as perfect as can be...hardly any wind. No bugs to speak of.
I can't believe that.... That is a very poor showing, however I am glad to see them out shooting.
I have shot many'a 3D shoots on the local, state and national level, I understand how weather, insects and other people can affect ones performance. I justdon't think averaging an 8 under almost any condition would be to much to ask for.On many targets an 8 covers 2-4 square feet or more.
Yeah it kind of is. But there again, we had a heck of a lot of first time shooters come out. Lots and lots of 18-30 y.os and most shooting with their girlfriends/spouses, which is EXACTLY WHAT WE SHOULD ALL WANT TO SEE!!!!!
The worst I have ever done in bowhunter class with my hunting rig was a 259. But, I shoot a lot...and I practice a lot...and I can handle shooting in front of people I don't know or haven't shot with before. Thats somethign that takes a lot of practice, and some folks just never can do it.
Here is what I would like to see:
I'd like to see archery clubs, ranges, and especially state agencies take a pro-active role in "shooter" education. I think it would be great if game departments posted a recommended practice regimen...even just a suggestion...on what hunters should strive for. Some folks would take it seriously...others would scoff... just like seatbelt laws. But it would be pro-active. You can't expect everyone to hit homeruns on the company softball team...and if you strike out a couple of times....you shouldn't not be allowed to play. So I wouldn't want to see a state or anyone any where for that matter, make it so that if you drop a turkey target (where the 10 ring is the size of the 11 on most targets, and the 8 is about the size of the 10) then you can't bow hunt.... thats just haneous.
I have had to pass some very stringent shooting quals in order to cull deer... including shooting in the dark... stuff that almost makes you laugh.... but.... this is sort of extra curricular hunting. If you want to go to Harvard... you gotta take honors classes sort of thing.