Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

How can anyone that lists a half dozen PRO STAFF sponsorships on their resume shoot HC ? Do they just give these out to anyone or do you have to be able to shoot a bow ? Maybe be related to the owners of the company ? It is people that show up with so many sponsors on their shirts that they look like billboards that keep the common bowhunter from competing. They feel intimidated and feel they don't have a chance in h**l of doing well. This could easily be lumped in with the sandbagging issue going on in another thread. If you have all the bells and whistles and can shoot well enough to DESERVE these sponsorships, then shoot with others of your ability. I see this all over in every organization out there and even locally. It is a real shame that some fine bowhunters won't try going to any shoots cause they are tired of getting their butts kicked by a walking billboard ! JMHO

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

PaProud, I thought the same thing when I first read that post. But what you have to realize is that there are various levels of sponsorship. Not all are based on shooting ability, some are based on helping out the average shooters and having them be good ambassadors of archery. So we need to be careful not to label sponsored shooters. One great example is T.R.U Ball they have great opportunities for all levels of shooters, and I am sure there are plenty more out there. I also know of non sponsered archers that wear more advertisement than sponsered archers just because they are proud of what they shoot. Bottom line is you can't worry about the other guy that will just drag you down. All you can do is go out and enjoy what your doing and make the best of it. Thats my 2 cents.

BOS

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

now wait a minute here, Are you saying a person cant be a professional hunter? Or are you just upset because you cant spend the time it takes to compete with a shooter that puts in 100 of hours in shooting and becoming the shooter he can be?seems to me that its just the whiners that whine about it, If one shoots the same equipment you are shooting you have the same chance to beat him or her.Whats the big deal?Are you saying because one can shoots a scope and slide and all that fancy stuff hanging off his bow that he can shoot a hunting bow just as good? Tell you what you try doing it, and then you get on here and complain.

I say stop ya complaining and just get out there and shoot the best ya can and have fun.It's not always about winning.Its a sport, what are you teaching the youth and the women that are coming into our sport?I tell you what you are teaching them what fathers that have there sons in ball, that if you dont win you are a failure, and thats not right.You teach them the basics and let them learn to grow with the sport and incorporate what you have taught them, and let them become archers if that s what they want.

Seems most have forgotten what we shoot for, money? no I shoot for fun, and sure i like to win, but shooting the best I can that day is my first goal everytime, I step to the stake, not that i have to win or worry that someone is upset because I have worked hard to get where I am in Archery, somethign that one does on there on.

And if you cant understand that then, well seems to me you need to challenge that person, and set it straight ont he range.Just my feelings,

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

Different levels of sponsorships? Yes in deed. Part of successful archery is found in self image. Not how others view you, but how you view yourself. I have gained a low level sponsorship and how much do I get. Discounts on equipment. Not free. I shot in the hunter class last year in my state's championships against many wearing these so called billboards, I took second. My gear was what I would use for hunting. Not just the IBO legal arrows but actual hunting arrows(490 gr.). If one want's to become a winner, you should'nt worry about who you beat, but look to beat yourself. Every shoot I come out a winner if I beat myself. Before I knew it I was winning against those shooting in the unlimited and open class with sponsorships with my hunting gear. I will be shooting in one of the triple crowns this year in the hunting class. I also spend 15-20 hrs on the range per week and have 2 yardage judging sessions a week. Am I a sandbagger. No, Just dedicated to my sport. That is what won me my sponsorship. And I will be proud to wear the logo of the company that has sponsored me. Before this year the bells and wistles as you put it did not scare me. I was confident in my shooting and would not turn down an opportunity to shoot with anyone, even those with billboards. Many of those people have dedicated themselves to their sport and I do not envy those people but admire them and look at that as inspiration and not as intimidation. If a person is intimidated by a shirt or a logo, then they have to work on the self image part of being a good archer. The game comes from within oneself, and is not displayed on the shirt.These sponsorships are not what makes a person a winner. Some of the people out there have had more stuff given to them by friends or associates than those wearing the logos of sponsors. That should make them sand baggers also. I believe that if people spent more time making themselves better, there would be better archery competitions and also the world would be a better place to live. And no, you don't need to be related to a company owner to get a sponsorship, you just need to show hard work and dedication. See ya all on the range.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

Thank you guys for saying much of what was on my mind, I have patches on my shooter shirts and the name of my favorite pro shop, you will even see BOWTECH on it, and Bowtech wants to have the amateur shooters wearing their name, I like to look the part even if I can't shoot well on that day. Worry more about making shooters welcome, making new friends and finally your own score.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

Pa Proud I am one of the HC shooters with a half dozen sponsors on my shirt and I'm no kin to anybody in any of the companys I represent and the reason I shoot HC is I've only been shooting tournaments since april of last year. Most of the companys I have talked to want somebody to represent them in a professional manner and to try to be helpful to your fellow shooters when possible ,that seems to be the most important thing and show good sportsmanship because win or lose its still a game. I am hardly ever asked by my sponsors what I've shot. and as far as shooting I shoot 3 hours a day 1st for form then for score, I try to judge distance every chance I get and I shoot somewhere every week sometimes 4 times a week which gets my sponsors plenty of exposure and I feel you get out of this sport what I put into it ,no matter what class you shoot

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

Amen wpmracer, for love nor money would I ever give up such a great sport. The only limits that one encounters in this sport is his/her self.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

just a small observation, but some shooters will put patches on chairs, shirts, and wear hats of manufacturers, and not be sponsored by any of them. they just believe in and like the product, and maybe bought a product and get a free patch or hat.

i get the point of the post, and for a new shooter in the class it may seem intimidating. i have been on the practice range with guys who are the billboard type and been scared to death i may get paired up with one of "those guys". after shooting the ibo for 10 years now i dont get excited at all. they are human the same as you, and just love the sport the participate in. they may learn from you, as well as you from them. just because they are all dressed up doesnt mean there is anywhere to go.....

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

I realize there are different levels of sponsorship, maybe it is the PRO part that bothers me ? I myself have a few patches on my mathews shirts and am a fair 3-d shooter having a 1st and a 3rd at ASA pro-ams, a 5th and a 6th at Ibo worlds and 4 state titles, but I am NOT a pro and don't pretend to be. I have shot MBR, MBO, and seniors, so I am not new at this. Advertising for your local bow shop and the equipment you use is fine just delete the pro part unless you are good enough to back it up.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

What is your definition of a PRO?
My sponsorships do not make me a pro by no means.But i do like to advertise for them.I believe i am a good ambasseder to the sport of archery and bow hunting.
I am a staff shooter for
Walton's archery
Trophy Ridge
JB archery,and will be wearing my name on a pair of P&D Helping Hands bino straps.The owners of these companies are extremly nice people ,and i have grown to like there products.
I 'm not the best shooter nor the best bowhunter .I would enjoy shooting against Burley Hall ,Jesse Moorehead,and Ginger just for fun.Pro or not there great people and show that the word pro is just a word.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

Staff shooter? Fine! Advisory staff? Fine! To me putting the word PRO in there indicates that you are getting paid to use their equip. and if you are good enough to get paid then you should shoot one of the higher classes. Maybe this pro thing is about egos ? I don't know and really don't care as I will never shoot against any of you anyway. I knew this would stir up the forum and get people talking !! Besides it makes the guys in the $8 Wal-mart shirt feel good when they can beat someone with sponsors. Other than the mathews on my shirts all I currently have is the ASA and IBO patches and a United Bowhunters of Penna. patch.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

I don't feel this is sturing anything up .No matter what class anyone shoots .The class for Pro or semi PRO is the cost of registration.
Like i said don't feel i'm a pro at the sport .i'm not a PRO ,but i do wear collard shirts with logo's representing the products i use.What shooters wear on there shirts is personal prefrence.And a Pro won't be shooting in the hunter class they will be shooting Open,semi pro or Pro.
Being sponserd is a good way to get a small discount at best.i'm not worried about getting payed .Or being a pro.
And Pro shooters that shoot there class didn't get there by loosing.They got there because they are great shooters .Some have been in this sport for years.50 yards is not easy to judge especially at nationals or Snowshoe Mt.
The word pro does not bother me .shooting against people with logo's ,sponsored by ,Mathews,Hoyte,PSE,True ball ,scott,carbon express,or what ever, there people just like me .Why critisize,and stereo type.
Just get out there and have fun.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

I have several names of sponsors on my shirt, and even have one that says pro. I am on the PRO staff for Whitetail Formulas, which is a deer, hog lure. That don't make me shoot my bow any better than the next guy, but I do promote their product and sell rtheir product. They reward me with free stuff..

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

GA bowhunter, You don't wear the lure to the shoots do you? that might be a little distracting to the other shooters.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

You know I used to think that the guys with those fancy shirts were the best shooters out there. Then my (as someone called $8 dollar walmart shirts) started beating those high dollar shirts and I realized they were just like me and just chose to promote the stuff they like. I am now wearing a shirt that a shop asked me to wear to promote his shop and shoot on a team for him. I was honored to do that and think I have proved myself well for him as well as my other teammates. Are we pros? No! Do I want to be? NO! I am in this sport because I like it not to show off and make people talk. As long as I beat my previous score or feel that I shot as good as I could have that day I am happy. The fancy shirts in my opinion don't mean a thing.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

Patrick, at least you kind of see what I am getting at. It is psychologically(?) intimidating for a guy who is new to this game and already nervous to shoot with a bunch of guys wearing all the sponsorship patches. They might feel like they don't belong and if they don't shoot well may not be back or think that if these guys are the short yardage guys how good must the rest be? I know that the shirt means nothing when it comes to performing well but I didn't when I first started out. We took a kid to Worlds in New York afew years ago and it was his 1st big shoot, shot trophy round, he was running around getting autographs from everyone with fancy shirts and sponsorships. Alot of egos got inflated that weekend!!

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

I don't have the word pro on my shirts anywhere, just my name and my sponsors which I've worked hard to get and want to represent to the best of my ability with my shooting and my sportsmanship. You should not be worried about what people are wearing because it has never mattered to me what anybody is wearing I am going out there to shoot the best I can and promote the sport any way possible. Also I live close to several pros and the shop I shoot out of is owned by a pro and they are some of the nicest people anywhere will answer any question I ask and when I shoot with them I'm not the least bit intimidated by the word pro-staff on their shirt, just consider it another challenge.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

I started shooting the FHC 3yrs ago when I started shooting. We own an archery shop and this yr some of the equipement we sell in our shop said that they were going to sponsors us. It is good way for companies to show off their new products and get it out in the field. I know a lot of you shooters are using the new low profile vane from Flex Fletch they are one of my sponsors because they made that vane for me. If you can get sponsors that is great to shoot is sport it takes a lot of money. My husband and me both shoot, and the more sponsors the you get it will save you a lot of money. We have shooters we sponsor in our shop to get our name out there and what we sell in our shop. And yes most of them are in the hunter class and are good shooters. I got some sponsors for my shooters to help them out with the expense. We are all in the working class and try and save money where we can.
I think we all shoot this sport for fun. Yes it is nice to win. I am looking forward to the day I have to move up. But I will not move up till I win.
I see nothing wrong with having sponsors. The ones who do not like it must not have any.
I shoot for fun and to meet people. And the hunter class is a great place to start. And I know a lot of new shooters who are in this class and they are shooting to have fun. Lets put the fun back in the sport!

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

People are still not getting my point completely. I have been sponsored in the past and still am by some different people. I think it is the NEED to do well that keeps some in the lower classes in all organizations.Since 1996 I have never been below the top half of whatever class I was shooting, yet when I get back from a big shoot and tell people I was 18th or 13th or 31st or whatever, they say what happened ? Just because I win locally, these people think I should win all the time. They don't see the caliber of shooters around here that are typical at pro-ams and triple crown shoots. Yes, the main reason I shoot is because it is FUN ! I don't do alot of things I did when I was younger because they weren't fun anymore! And yes AR34 I can shoot my starmaster that I hunt with just as good as my 3-d setup!! Those that protest the most may be the most guilty?? Nothing will change so let's let this thread die.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

PaProud
I do not shoot in HC but will try and answer some of yout questions on the sponsorships. (1) Many sponsorships are not paid sponsoships but
the company offer discounted prices for Promoting and supporting the
company. How you shoot has nothing to do with it but how you Promote
and sell the product. (2) Many companies do not have paid Pro shooters,
and put their money into the amatuer shooters and regular old hunters.
They get a lot more representation that way. (3) These amatuer shooters
in turn spend some of their available time working shows and promoting
the product for the comapny at NO profit for themselves and with NO
monetaty expenswe to the company.

I shoot on a Pro Staff. I do not consider myself the same class shooter as Jeff Hopkins, Colen Booth and shooters of this caliber, but I do a lot
of promoting and selling of the product that I represent. I list each and every sponsor on my shirts at all events, that is what they want me to do
and the same with the shooters you are describing. If they show up and shoot without representing the company in the manner they were asked to do, they are not keeping their word to the sponsor

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

Maybe part of my problem is that I am mainly ASA oriented though I do shoot alittle IBO. HC and Bow Novice or Open C in ASA are not technically the same. Novice and open C are supposed to be beginners classes for entry level shooters while IBO's HC is for fixed pin short yardage shooters period. They are not the SAME. If I really pi**ed anyone off, sorry. When I did most of my IBO shooting there was no hunter class, you either shot MBO or MBR.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

bottom line is just this, if you sign up in HC, you will shoot against HC, so whats the problem.This is a competitve sport, so lets compete, I can shoot any bow i have just as good as my HC bow, whcih is my pop up bow , hunting bow, and now tournement bow, I guess next thign you will say is you cant shoot a tournment colored bow in HC, come on or we men are babies here.Everyone has the same chances to win, put in the time and compete, ok.GHappy shooting and see ya in Rome, ga.From one billboard shooter to another, go after those x's.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

oh one more thing, WHO DEFINES WHAT PRO means,
could it be short for promoting staff?

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

funny you should mention shooting a tournament colored bow. My wife and I both shoot flame colored Hoyt's. We went to a local shoot in south Alabama the week before the IBO shoot in Wetumpka for practice. One of the guys that shot in the bowhunter class protested us because he thought we should have to shoot the open/unlimited class because our bows were not camo. I plan on shooting in his group at their next shoot....

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

Just won't let it go will you AR? There is nothing that would please me more than to come down to HC and kick your butt but I am a better shooter than that. I've been at this along time and trust me, after shooting 50 yards and over all these years when I do shoot a short course it is like shooting fish in a barrel. Oh, there is one more patch that is on every shooter shirt I own and that is the American flag.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

OK, it's over, time to go on to greener pastures. LET IT DROP:D

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

oh no, its got more to me than this i have to answer this.paproud, I tell you what sport, seems you think that you have the need to pick a arguement, well telly ou what I will do just for you, sport.You pick the place , and I will be glad to shoot your class with ya and shoot right there with you, seems you think you can shoot, so good that you feel the need to shoot off that mouth on a forum, I asked if anyone felt the need to discuss this other than on a forum I would be glad to do so.
But now you said something that i have heard about enough of, so bring it on there sport, we will see if ya can back all this talk up, about beating someone.I am more than ready.I will be in Rome, Ga and because i dont want to make all the hunters feel that they have no chance to win, seeing that i placed 40 th and didnt win , I will let ya move 1 spot closer to your goal.I shoot for fun, as a sport I am not hung up on winning, I promote great products, and i work shows for the products i promote.
But when i have a shooter mouth off about something they know nothing about it kinda gets under my skin.I again say If you want to discuss this further then I will be in Rome, Ga, with both bows I will decide what i will shoot that day, cause if you show up, and mouth off like you are on here, maybe its time you get put in your spot, maybe i will get seriuos again.
And to all the other forum readers on here if I have affended anyone on here, I do apologize, as this isnt the place for this talk.I am on here to help with anything I may know that will help another archer with.

So goodluck to all the shooters on here,and may ya arrows always hit there marks.See ya in Rome, Ga.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

I tried to let this die 2 days ago. Everyone else wants it to die. So let it die. Imay not shoot any IBO this year outside of my home state so our matchup won't happen. Sorry I pissed you off so badly. Good luck in where ever the next shoot is in whatever class you shoot. If you get this riled up over a forum I would hate to see you if you shot a 5. lol Atleast we got to build up our number of posts!

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

Paproud
AR34
not a good thing to see shooters go at it like this in the IBO forum.Or any forum .My opinion is if my outer wear makes you shoot a 5 or blank so be it .It shows how not mentally tuff the shooter is.
And goin from open class to hc doesn't mean you'll shoot any better.
you still have to make the shot ,and i dought very seriuosly PAproud you can put an 11x on a 35 yrd racoon .If so thats good shooting and i'm sure its been done .But thats a tuff shot .
I just hate to see shooters argue..........Childesh.
We are all ambasseders of the sport is this the way we should act?

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

Time to bury the hatchet. If I ever shot an 11 on any of the small critters at that yardage I would thank my lucky stars for sure. Hope for a line cutter 10 at best and try to make up points on the larger targets. I would like to apoligize for getting carried away with my posts. You are correct that this does not reflect positively on the archery brotherhood. I am sure you are all fine shooters and glad that you get out and support 3-d. The number of shooters has been dropping at the local shoots for the last few years and the number of courses getting less every year. We have to stick together or soon you will have travel further and further to find a shoot. A number of my friends and I usually shoot every Sunday from the end of Feb. till mid Sept. weather permitting. Good luck to all of you that make it to Rome.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

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!

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

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.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

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.

RE: Sponsorships in Hunter Class ??
 

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.