Wow,
This sure is a hot topic! I shot at Wetumpka in my first ever IBO. I wasn't worried about how anybody else shot, as I am just trying to become a better bowhunter (took off the broadheads and screwed on field points). After reading all of these posts though, I strongly believe that it is definitely not honorable for a pro or a semi-pro shooter to ever drop back to amateur status. Even allowing for age or injury, once a pro-then a pro you are. There is a class for older shooters, and if a pro or semi-pro can no longer compete with their contemporaries then perhaps there should be a class "former-pro" of some sorts. Yes, we all learn from shooting with better shooters and I relish the opportunity, however if we are to maintain the spirit of the sport, the pros should move on and stay moved on, not move back because they can't compete anymore and beat up on the new guys to feel good about themselves. Let's move on to the next level and compete for the betterment of ourselves, not by beating others, but by actually improving ourselves. If you drop down a class for the sake of a ranking at the expense of your honor: SHAME on you, you know it, we know it and your victory is hollow!