I remember the days when we would have 100 shooters show up for a regular 3D shoot. When we would have our big merchandise shoot, we would hit 300+. This last weekend, we held the Oklahoma IBO State Championship. We had 42 shooters. That's 42 shooters total in 2 days. The weather was perfect. The range was great. There were no shoot conflicts for that weekend anywhere around Oklahoma or N. Texas.

I know attendance is down all over the state but this is getting serious. Of the few that drove, most got angry about having to be an IBO member to shoot the state championship. They already had to buy $1.90/gal gas to drive and then to pay entry fees as well as IBO membership. I know that the membership issue was NOT the reason we only had 42 shooters show up. It was part of it along with the 8X binocular rule. I do not know all the reasons why we had the poor turn out. I wish I did because I would do everything I could to fix it.

Any input here would be appreciated. I know there are more bow hunters now than ever in Oklahoma. I also know that many of my 3D buddies feel the IBO has "ruled" itself out of the picture. I have supported the IBO for the 15+ years I have shot 3D and will continue to be a member. Our club will have more folks show up for a traditional fun shoot than an IBO State Championship and that sucks. What can we do? Sorry to vent but it is bothering me.

Thanks for listening.

probably the 42 shooters there were the ones who always travel to the local shoots, and those who really have a desire to shoot the ibo world. i agree the 8x bino may scare a few off too, it has around home, but if it is a club shoot, we dont turn any shooters away, period.....

we have experienced the same decline that you are, the shooters just are not coming out. i read a post on another forum stating they felt the decline of the bowhunters shooting was due to the rangefinder technology, i must say i agree with that. no need to hone your yardage judging skills, just click and shoot. very sad thought.........

we havent started our "big" club shoots yet, but have had the ky ibo championship, with a lower than average turnout. hopefully the archery in schools program will fuel the fire a little and get some new blood into the sport.

at our state shoot there was a little complaining about the ibo membership, those who have no desire to shoot the world shoot or any of the triple crown had a little bad taste over the 45 dollar total price to shoot in a shoot they consider to be local....maybe needs to be rethough for next year.

I think the needing to be a member has hurt. You can go shoot all the qualifiers you want and win trophies or cash but can't shoot the state shoot. Same thing in the ASA, shoot every qualifier and win something but can't shoot states without joining. No wonder some qualifiers have more shooters than the states do ! Now if you are going to the Worlds or shooting Pro-Ams it is different as you have to join but for the guy who doesn't travel it is just an added cost that the average guy has no chance of getting any of it back.