I don' t think I could disagree with you more, but I respect your opinion.

I don' t think that it would be at all feasible for the IBO to build and maintain their own facility for hosting World Championships or any other event. The logistics alone would be mind boggling and I' m sure that Judy already has enough on her plate without that! ) There are so many issues to consider with a proposition such as this, issues like lodging for 7,000 people (the unofficial number of people who checked into the World Championships), food services, who' s gonna cook it and serve it?, range set up, registration, and the list goes on and on. On a scale of feasibility from 1-10 I think that the idea rates a -9.

However, yes, there are issues that should be considered when deciding who will help host such a huge event, and I think that Sonwshoe, while we might not agree with everything they do, has done a more than adequate job. Can you fault them for wanting to make money? Yes, a 59% increase for rooms is WAY out of line, but in the end they lived up to their contract with the IBO, thanks in large part to Judy' s efforts (way to go toots!). And you can be sure that if there is a renegotiation of the contract when it comes up for renewal that the IBO will do everything they can to protect it' s members from drastic rate increases.

When folks start complaining about how little the IBO does for it' s members, it' s a fairly clear sign that not all the facts have been presented or considered. I know that everyone wants them to do more, but as a young organization, they have to pick and choose their fights carefully. The causes that they have supported over the years have benefitted not just bowhunters but hunters in general as well as archery as a sport. For example in the state of Virginia they were major contributors to the effort to pass an amdnment to the State constitution giving all residents of the state the RIGHT to hunt, trap and fish, a fight that ensures legal foothold in battling the " anti' s" in the future as well. They make the absolute best they can with the funds and resources available to them. If the IBO membership were polled though, I think you would find that the vast majority would not be in favor of increasing the membership dues to the point that would fund an " IBO Central" such as you suggest. The first vote against it would be mine.

As I said I value your opinion, but in this country girls mind, it just ain' t gonna happen.