"...he is allowed more room for error." Perhaps I've been doing it wrong, all these years, but I don't recall the targets I've shot with my stickbows being any bigger than the targets I shot at with my compounds. [:-] The spots on the NFAA targets were the same size and same distances.

Let's examine 3D. Nowadays, they've got different distances for different classes, and NONE of them are as far as they were in the mid-80's. In the beginning of IBO, max yardages were 'about 60 yards' which meant they were often closer to 70. There were men's, womens and youth stakes. Men all shot from the same stake, no matter what equipment they were shooting. No binoculars. 5-pin, non adjustable sights. 12" max stabilizer. That that was when bows were screaming fast if they shot over 200 fps!

Now we've got bows spitting out arrows well over 300 fps, scopes, 3' stabilizers, binoculars, umbrellas, etc... but maximum yardages of 50 yards... For the PRO's!?!

Using gear to eliminate as much challenge as possible, then shortening the distances to eliminate even more of the challenge. They've shortened the distances even more for the 'lower' classes.

There are traditional archers today who want NFAA to cut their maximum distance to 50 yards instead of 80. It was 'traditional' archers who set the current distances out to 80 yards, MANY years ago. Today's trads can't meet the challenge set by our forebears. Just like today's 3D'ers can't hack the challenge their forebears did, only 20 years ago.

Is it just archery skills that are in decline, or is it a lack of commitment and drive to excel that's in decline? Whatever, our sport is in a decline. Oh, our numbers are increasing, for sure. But skill levels are going in the dumper.

Just think, if the trend continues, in another 20 years the pro's will be shooting 500 fps arrows with lazer guidance systems at 20 yards. Trads will be lobbing away at targets 5 yards downrange.