Well I think that after reading back though 5 pages of these comments it is quite apparent that many people have what they consider to be solutions to a very good problem.
We will never come up with a way to fix a problem that is only a problem to a few people. The scores in Hunter class are not a problem to most of the shooters in that class or they would be in another class but what other class can they shoot at a distance that satisfies their desires and shooting skillls. For how many years did everyone shoot at a longer distance. If you want to see a change in the classes leave the hunter class a no money class for awards and change the MBR or MBO to a 35 yard max and see what happens. Any entry class should not have the same rewards as an established class and the incentive to move to another class should be the prestiege of moving up. You will always have some individuals that will stay where they are because they are happy in that class. Not everyone wants to or can be a winner in their class. The hunter class IMHO has grown to where it is because it was the first time that individuals had a chooice of what yardage to shoot other than 45 yards. Shooting all these classes is a privileage and should be given on a free choice to all regardless of their skill. I know of no one shooting today that started at the top of any class. Some where along the line the top people in the Hunter class had to start and work their way up to where they are now. The growth of the Organization is not being effected by where the entry level of a competitive shooter is or should be. It has grown and will continue to grow with members that are interested in joining because they have things in common with the membership and would possibly like to try their skill at 3D shooting. If everyone on the forum puts as much effort into bringing in new members who want to parsticipate with friends and other bowhunters as they try to fix a problem of a few archers in a certain class I'm sure that we will have more growth and will be shooting in a class because it suits our needs and desires not because we are new and deserve a brake. Every organization needs new members and what could be an easier requirement than a $25.00 fee with no other requirements. This money supports many needs and requirements of the organization. To qualify for the World Championship you must qualify and pay the required entry fee for the class that YOU CHOOSE. At your home course you shoot the distance that your club sets for you and this is the first impression that most shooters get when entering 3D. If this distance is to long in the other classes it sure makes the hunter class look good and will route many first time shooters.
Overall what I am trying to say is that the clubs control where a shooter shoots more than the IBO does and maybe the first requirement that each club should have for entry level shooters should be membership in the IBO for all the good reasons including the competitivie shoots. Maybe there are people shooting IBO who do not have a home club so making this a requirement for the competitive shooting is possible.
Let everyone submitt what they consider to be answers to any problem but first of all lets start at the begining and see where the clubs and the IBO can benefit and help one another not just a few individuals. The ladder to succes starts at the bottom and each step gets a little higher and tougher but if you are willing to work hard enough to get to the next step eventulally you will reach the top.
I have rambled on long enough and posted enough thoughts for now. For the most part I think that everyone has the best interest of the organization and would like to see it grow.
I appreciate spending this time with you and hope that each one of the threads is read and taken with the real meaning, the good of the organization.
Good Luck and GOOD SHOOTING. See you at the WORLD SHOOT.