Thanks guys (center punch and fast fletch), thats what I said in the beginning of this post. And, I still think that, that might be a way to go, even with shorter yardages or something that just anyone can show up and shoot.

One thing I would like to bring to the surface here before I leave to try and kill myself in the New River this weekend (actually I think its the wife who's behind it, but anyway). We are a bowhunting organization, but, we pay the bills and get things done with the money made at these shoots. I, along with most, do not mind the entry fees, thats what keeps us going and moving ahead. And, remember, how we (as an organization) get our bling-bling, by target shooting. These shoots were more than likely started as "real-life practice". Now, it's competition. I love this sport, not neccessarily every thing about it, but I still love it. Shooting in the yard, shooting at 3-D targets at unknown yardage, getting my bow super tuned, then putting in a bow press to make it shoot a little better, and screwing the whole thing up beyond all belief.

We are united as bowhunters, but I would bet there are a couple of us at these shoots who do not hunt. But, they looove to target shoot, just like the rest of us do. That makes us united as 3-D archers also. These are not real life hunting situations, but thats what we strive to immitate. If it were, I wouldnt get a shot all year, and could you imagine the backups. We use these shoots local and national and back yard, to better prepare ourselves for a hunting situation by training ourselves, and practicing shooting form and function, while building confidence in our abilities, so we do not make a bad shot on a real-live-animal. I dont think I would ever take a fifty yard shot at an animal (a real one that is), unless every possible condition was correct, and they seldom are at those distances (oh, it would have to be a big animal too). But, I would sling a whole quiver at a foam one, pull'em, and do it again a couple of times.

So, we are trying to figure something out, tons of good ideas. But, how do we preserve what we have, while building to get what will draw new shooters, and more bling-bling. I have already stated my thoughts earlier. I apologize for the long winded posts. I feel as though we do not need to loose track of who we are, but we need to chart a course for further and better growth and development, and that would have to include new blood (not that anythings wrong with what we got) by getting kids involved and encouraging those kids (and their parents) who are interested.

nysrep, maybe you are right, keep the hunter class for the novice. But, if that were the case, remove the money payout except for the world and keep it the same as it is now. I am sure you would see a lot of guys moving out for the money. After weeks of this thread, I am beginning to think that could be an option too. But still, the average Joe is not going to show up at a TC shoot and pay $55 to shoot 40 targets and get a membership. Where do we go and what do we do without messing up what we already have? I really dont know.

P.S. If I do meet my end in a cold and raging river this weekend, I bequeth my bow press to John Cooper, and all of my other bow stuff to the IBO for auction.