I hear that all pro classes have to shoot the same 30 targets off-site on saturday, then shoot all the same 10 targets on sunday, and still have all of our scorecards turned in at the correct time. The rumor is that they are doing this because of the sharing of information in a pro class. I've heard from a few people(who ought to know) that there are a few pros sharing yardage, and then whatever money they win together they are splitting it evenly amongst themselves.

1. How is the format change gonna eliminate the problem, because each pro class already shoots the same 30 targets on saturday and then the same 10 on sunday?

2. I've been told that they DEFINETLY know this is going on. If that is the case, why weren't these individuals immediately disqualified?

3. If IBO definetly knows it's DEFINETLY happening, they must know DEFINETLY who it is. So, if they are going to change the way my course is set up, then they should have to disclose who these individuals are.

If all this is true, this is not well thought out. If all pro and semi-pro classes have to shoot the same 30 targets on saturday, we will all be LUCKY if we can finish before dark. Even worse than that, there is no way all pro and semi-pro classes can shoot the same 10 targets on sunday and be done and have scores turned in by 1p.m.

The 10 targets we shoot on sunday are supposedly going to be on an MBO course. Now, how is that fair to MBO shooters? Some of them may have to shoot 20 targets on sunday, which would normally not be a problem. It sure will be now. I'm also sure if IBO is worried about cheating so much, that they will not tell the MBO guys which 10 targets it is that the pros and semi-pros will be shooting on sunday.

So, the same 10 target MBO course on sunday we will have:

1. All pros
2. All semi-pros
3. MBO guys who may need to shoot 20 targets that day.

I think we deserve an explanation as to what is going on here.

The pro's have shot 30 on Saturday and 10 on Sunday for 2 or 3 years now so where is the change in format? Most of the pro's were done by 3pm on Saturday in Bedford so where is the problem there? As for your other problem that rumor has been around for years, so here is how it is NO PROTEST NO PROBLEM, for all I know 1 shooter gets beat by another shooter who he feels should not have beat him then he must have cheated. All the pro's are grown adults so if no one wants to file a protest then handle the problem yourselfs or file the protest and I will deal with it for you. I will tell you this the ranges will be run for what is best for the shoot not for an individual group.

i seriously doubt the ibo would create an entire different set of ranges just to watch a shooter who they suspect as cheating......it is my understanding the pro and semi pro ranges were moved to off site locations was to eleminate some of the congestion on the ranges we normally shoot....it gives them a place to shoot, without distractions, and frees up a little space on the ranges.....

the ibo is in its second year i believe of doing this.....i know we were able to shoot last year much faster than i can ever remember...

as for the rumor of a pro cheating, that would seem impossible, they all shoot the same ranges at the same time, unless they were in a group together there is no way of getting the information too each other......now for the past, when the pros and semi pros shot the ranges everyone else did, i cant say how they were sent out, but again, doesnt seem likely.

I think you are missing my point, or I should have made it clearer. This information is coming from an IBO state representative, so that person should be one of the people who know what is going on, I demand that they be. I've heard no complaints or anything from any of the shooters, this was a surprise to me. Yes, the pros have shot 30 targets on saturday and 10 on sunday for a few years now. Last year was the first year the courses were offsite. However, I also find it difficult to believe that there are people sharing information, that is why I am questioning the change. Yes, there is a change. I know the pros were not off the ranges by 3 p.m., because I shoot semi-pro, and I wasn't off the ranges until closer to 6p.m., and there were pros and semi-pros still on the courses when I left. Now, my point is that, for example in Bedford, there were four 10 target ranges. PMR had to shoot a certain 30 targets on saturday. PSR had to shoot a certain combination of 30 targets on saturday. PRF was the same way, as well as all other pro classes, and it still takes a very long time to shoot 30 targets on saturday like this. Now factor in that everyone in every pro and semi-pro classes have to shoot the same 30 on saturday and the same 10 on sunday, you're looking at a time problem. The reason for which they are doing this may be as simple as that the off-site courses need to be used by the landowner on sunday, so they are not available to us. I just think that we deserve to know why. Also, is a time problem, what is going to be done about it?

i think the semi pro classes can shoot all 40 in one day, but i havent heard that the last 10 will be shot at a different location.....seems odd, but may be true....i dont shoot the semi pro class but a buddy of mine does, if you do find something out, let us know, but i would address ken directly on this one, to keep from stirring up too much dust on rumor or hearsay, im not saying that is the case, but i would rather hear it from ken first.....

the pro cheater rumor goes around every year, dont know who starts it or if it is true, but at that level i would really hate to get caught cheating......i love shooting too much to loose out of shooting altogether.....

if they are limiting the shooting to 30 targets only on saturday, why not let them shoot on friday? or at least the semipro class....might smooth things out.....

There has been no change for semi-pro they can still shoot all 40 on saturday if they want, actually everyone would like it if they did or at least 30. I did not say all shooters were off but most. the ones that waited to see if the weather would change naturally did not get off that early. The pro's did not all shoot the same 10 targets on Sunday in Bedford but semi's could have been on ranges with pro's. All I will say about this next shoot is the pro's will not shoot the same 10 targets on Sunday and the semi's will also shoot on a different 10 targets if they do not shoot all on Saturday the range officials control who shoots where first and in what order and there are no changes being made for any other reason then safety and time. As far as a state rep knowing everything that is going on at a shoot the only way they will know that is if they work along side the people who are doing the work and are aware first hand what changes there are and why they were made and only then should they pass that info on. I have never been contacted by a state rep with any questions or wanting info that could be passed on. So now you are saying who the hell are you so once again my position with the IBO is v.p. and tournament director.

ej is the MAN.
He is the one that put together the format that has made the improvements in time and organization on the ranges.
You all saw that in Bedford. You saw it last year at Gem City. That is the way all of them are going to be this year, and in the future.
Contrary to popular opinion otherwise, he is in charge of the tournaments.
Also note he did say the pro classes would not be shooting the same 10 on Sunday.

I also want to say this. As ya'll get all hunched up to jump on him, he will gladly accept assistance. We can always use a extra set of hands and feet at the shoots. A few extra minds always can help.
I think after a little participation on this side of the fence you might see how something evolved into what it is now. Maybe even to understand why.
I would also like to add a little something. Years ago we moved stakes and targets on the ranges Friday and Saturday evenings. If we believe that some "sharing" is going on that will be considered again. Maybe it has been considered. Maybe it has been done!
Maybe it will be done. Only two of us know for sure and we ain't talking.

ken watkins