90+ in 2001, 65 in 2002 and with the addition of the new HR class, 27 in 2003.
Looks like almost 1/3 drop in 2002 before class change. Definate trend in interest.
Prior to the HR class, the most underrepresented group of traditional archers was those who shot a hunting style recurve with aluminum or carbon arrows. Go to almost any shoot where you see sticks and a large % will have that equipment. Sure they could compete against the tricked out target style bows but most,myself included, felt they were at a disadvantage. That is why last year I shot MTRD but I really don' t like the work it takes me with the wood arrows and would rather shoot all summer the equipment I hunt with.
I am sure the reason people shoot the target equipment is they feel it makes them a better shot and more competitve. Absolutely nothing wrong with that, but it left the recurve shooter choosing to use hunting style equipment with no place to be competitive. Now they have a class and I think it will grow as people become aware of it. I would like to see steps to insure that it remains a hunting style class - possibly restrictions concerning arrow wght to draw wght and a point wght limit.
I hope the RU shooters don' t feel the need to attempt pushing the rules and intent of the HR class to compete with equipment they would never take hunting simply to attempt to win a shoot. Personally, that would be a hollow victory to me and not one I would be proud of. If the RU is dying because hunting style equipment is no longer forced to inflate the class numbers, than that style must look to the real reasons, whatever they are, and see what must be done to create interest and growth.Just my opinion
Steve