First let me say that I hope this thread stays active, (and polite). There are a lot of potential ideas out there to be heard. I think that the hunter class success is great. I've talked with many individuals in that class, both in this setting and at the various shoots I attend. One comment frequently heard is a concern for a percieved lack of respect for the class. Let me just say, that is simply not the case. You can look at the scores and see that the performance curve is way off when compared to all other classes. Now gee..... thats a terrible problem to have, people shooting too well. One of the problems is that it is difficult to set the coarse to even that out. I'm sure we could turn a couple of tallented individuals loose to set that coarse that would spread a lot of those scores out. In the process though we would dessimate the shooters on the lower end. I talked with a pro shooter a year or so ago, and at the time he was concerned about the shorter average shots he was seeing on his range. His point: the pressure was too great, you simply could not drop a point and hope to have a chance. That was from a pro, but I'm seeing the same thing in the hunter class. Right now if you are not shooting up, you will not place. that in my opinion is out of ballance. I know and am friends with many shooters in this class. Some of them fit this class well, and some, in my opinion, are shooting a class way below their abilities. For these exceptional shooters, I disagree with their choice to stay in this class, but I respect their right to do so. Personally, I hate the idea of forced advancement. However, in this case I can see why that is needed. Point system for advancement? I am sure you will get a vote to implement it, but doubt you would ever get an agreement of where that split should happen. "If you make the cutoff right above my score it would be great, right below my score is unfair."

I am making it a point to talk with the shooters at every event I attend. The input I recieve there as well as from those of you contributing your suggestions here are helping to form a suggested course of action which I intend to submit to the Board of Directors for consideration at their fall meeting. Please keep your constructive suggestions coming. Your opinions and concerns are valued geatly if not always agreed upon.

Chris Turner
IBO Ohio State Rep.