There' s a thread going on another board re: a pros only forum (tournament shooters). The pros seem to suggest people need only pay the money, and become a pro to participate in their forum. That' s not a pro, is it? I think being a real pro goes beyond getting paid, or paying. Giving something back to the sport and the people who support them, is what a real pro does. Donate some time helping kids. Maybe with something not archery related. Many shops do things for kids. I think the real archery pros are in the shops. This is not to say the pro shooters are not helpful. I just get the feeling that many of them don' t realize that they need the everyday archer more than he needs them. Without we amateurs buying archery related equipment, the manufacturers won' t need the pros showing it off. Some of the most helpful people I' ve become acquainted with are not pros by definition. And they don' t EXPECT to get paid, either.

By definition, a pro derives an income by way of their chosen profession. Be it flinging arrows or wrenching on bows and setting people up, the real pros are easily recognizable.