Shot A,B,C,D this past weekend. There was way too much cell phone usage. Heard phones ringing and people chatting. May I suggest that a sign is posted at every tent that cell phones need to be turned off and I wouldn't be opposed to a penalty point deduction for violations. Also, when I mentioned the problem to Ken Watkins on Sunday I was astonished at his lack of interest....his reply? "Tell them to turn them off!" Sorry Ken, it's not my responsibility to police a group 3 targets away...it's yours. Several people in earshot who heard your response agreed that your reply was inadequet.
Otherwise, it was a great shoot, seemed really well run, waiting time at targets was reasonable, the courses were not too long but very challenging and the weather was a 10+.

I might also add that it wouldn't be unreasonable to think that someone is communicating yardage to a team mate or friend by cell phone.

Gregg,
My response was not meant at all to sound flippant.
We added a section to the rules that says cell phones are not to be used on the ranges. I also know that section is new. But it is now a rule," no cell phones on the range are to be used except in an emergency, as agreed upon by the majority of a group."
I will not disagree that it is part of my responsibility to see the rules are enforced. I will ask that we put signs up in McKean at the next event to point out this new rule. I will also ask the range officials to watch for the use of cell phones.
But I also believe it is a responsibility that we are must share. I do not believe that when any of us compete we do not believe that all rules should be followed. None of us would allow a shooter to step forward a few yards to get a better spot to shoot from.
None of us would allow a shooter to call a ten when they scored a five.
How can we make sure some of the rules are followed and notothers?

ken

did you really expect any other response..............especially at one of the bigger shoots

Duh? Yeah!

Ken, thanks for your reply. I think that sometimes a shooter doesnt want to rock the boat or sound contentious so he doesnt say anything to another shooter especially in his group. It may be possible that shooters were not aware of the rule which in itself is no excuse because really, common sense would dictate that you shouldn't have a cell phone out on a course. There is no rule against talking yet most courteous archers will remain silent while a fellow competitor is executing his shot, i.e. "common sense".

"duh yeah"

i guess you've never really tried to talk to ken much at the bigger shoots then.....cause thats always the sort of response i get................

This is not the only rule that gets broken a lot. The 2min rule is almost a joke. How about the possibility of putting at least one official on each range to try and monitor what is going on?

I do not disagree with the idea of a range official on each range but I would wonder how he would move around the course safely. He could go forward through the groups well enough but if he needed to move backwards on the course he will be going against the grain so to speak. It may even getvery dangerous with people shooting arrows at the targets. It may slow things up also, but may speed things up too if worked right. It is a good idea though if it could be thought out so it would work for everyone.