Two points for the record.
1. My responce above was made after noting that the initial discussion was started by a first time poster, and that he may not have been aware that the issue had been recently addressed. No disrespect was intended for him or his opinion on this issue, even though Irealise he disagrees with the outcome.

2. The opinion that somehow the HunterClasses are "3rd Rate" is yours alone, and is definately not shared with myself or anyone else in this organization. I do not believe that anyone could truely look at the competition results, nortalk to and get to know any of these shooters and come up with that opinion.

Somehow we have got to get away from the hangup on class names. We are a bowhunting organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of our bowhunting heritage. It stands to reason that as we devide the classes by equipment and shooting styles we would make a nod towards the bowhunter. That is why you have several classes that in some way denote "bowhunter" in the name. (MBO= Male Bowhunter Open, FBO = Female Bowhunter Open ect...)Every time I hear the arguments based on the name of the class, I have to note that the name of the class, "Hunter Class", does not specify bowhunter as several do. There are far more "hunters" carrying guns of one form or another into the woods that never carry a bow. We don't have a class for that. McKenzie/Delta make great targets, but I'm afraid that if we start shooting them with slugs or riffles the cost will go way up.

Now I know that that was an exagerated responce based on your comments, but it goes to my point. Arguments based on the name of a class get silly very quickly. Currently we have Male Bowhunter Release-fixed pins allowing glue-in points, short vanes, and long stabilizer, Hunter Class- fixed pins allowing screw in points, 4 inch vanes, 12 inch stabilizer, and in between we have Advaced Hunter Class- fixed pins allowing shorter vanes (2"), screw in points and 12 inch stabilizer. I fail to see where we can't cover your set-up somewhere in there.

Feel free to disagree with me, I have no problem with that. In doing so, however, please try to avoid these two base arguments:
1. Becase of the name of the class we should........... (again, my 30/06 is very accurate at those distances)
2. I want to shoot whatever I want, how I want, and the rest should conform to me. ( Oh, make sure it stays fair without giveing someone else an advantage I don't currently use.)

Ok, I guess I have a third.
No matter what vane you use you still have to make the shot.
No matter what gender or age you are you still have to make the shot.
No matter what bow you use (longbow, recurve or compound) you still have to make the shot.
No matter what sight you use you still have to make the shot.
No matter what the distance is you still have to make the shot.
No matter what stabilizing system you use you still have to make the shot.

All of these statements are true, but in fair and equal competition you will rarely find anyone who will agree with all of them. We could quickly be down to one class.

Guess I woke up a bit cranky and haven't had enough coffee yet. I hope everyone has a great day and we will see you all in New York.