If an open shooter wishes to shoot in the hunter class and shoots legal equipment for that class then he shold be allowed to do just that. I have never shot ASA and just beginning to shoot IBO, but have run into the same argments in our Bowhunter's of Alabama shoots. You can only regulate what equipment a person shoots. If you want to have a true novice class and can keep it that way please let me know how you do it. I have shot with world champions and novices alike and enjoyed both winning and learning from a loss. Isn't that what archery is about anyway?