I just registered for this site and wanted to do so to post a reply to this message. I have been shooting a bow for almost 20 years now and have competed in 3-D competitions for all of those years. I am not sponsored but would love to be. When I go to the various shoots I look for the guys that have the logos on their shirts. I figure that if they got sponsored they must shoot well and those are the people I want to shoot with. If you continually shoot with average shooters you should expect to shoot average. If you shoot with the people who are at the top of their game it will help you improve yours. I get nervous whether I'm shooting with a sponsored shooter or just someone out to have fun, until I get into a conversation with them and break the ice. It's about having fun, and trying to improve your shooting abilities right? If I could shoot with the guys I have read about at 3-D times and such, I would jump at the chance, and I would soak up as much information as I could. They have to know something I don't, or I would be shooting as a Pro myself right. Isn't there a saying about soaring with eagles or turkeys? I want into the eagles group!

I think we are all now getting on the same page. Our goal as archers AND bowhunters should be to help our sport grow and prosper. We are sometimes our own worst enemy. Why not start now. Plan on shooting as many 3D shoots as possible in 2004. Make a promise to our sport and everyone bring just one new shooter to a shoot. Pay there entry fee for them and just get them to shoot. If we all get one new shooter our ranks will be doubled in 2004. I love to shoot a bow. It is a major part of my life. I don't care about the latest bow or gadget that is faster. I do care about the great friends I have made while shooting in this sport. I have met thousands of great people at shoots. I have met a few bad ones to be sure but I can count them on one hand.....Are you game? Take the challenge and get one new shooter in 2004..You will be glad that you did.

It don't matter which class you shoot in, there is always someone better and someone worse than you on any given day, whether you have names, logo, or pro on your shirt. I've been shooting a long time and have several names on my shirt. These names are there simply to promote the products I use and like. I think this thread has just about run its coarse, lets be friends and shoot as intelligent men and women instead of whining about what I consider very trivial. The Bible said "The first shall be last and the last shall be first", so humble yourselves and love each other instead of bickering about such a trivial item.

Okay here is something for you all to think about. I like to support companies who want to sponser all shooters not just the PRO'S. Lets face it is not the pro's making the sales for the company it is the hunters or everyday shooters doing it for fun not trying to make a living at it. At some of the shoots set back and add up what the pro's are being paid for shooting that Mathews. The pro's are no better then the rest of the shooters in the other classes. I feel as archers we should support the companies that will sponser all shooters and not just the pro's. We all like to save a few dollars when we can.