RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

I have read all the posts on this subject, and I can see all of the valid points being made. But, Back when there was no HC, nobody seemed to mind the distance or the fees. I shot MBR back then, and then took about 6 years off to raise my sons, and now that I am back into shooting again, I am concerned about changes to MBR, which is were I am shooting. Equipment will not change the outcome of any HC shoot & speed won't make a difference. The idea of a 40 yd intermidiate class with the same HC rules, or allow them to drop to 3" vanes, to help them compensate for the extra yardage, might not be bad. I guess I am concerned that if they change HC significantly, that it will ultimately have a serious effect on my MBR class.

What ever changes are made I do agree, that they need to be made in the best interests of our sport, and not to accomidate the shooters that are mad because they can't win all the time. We need to put the love of shooting back in the fore-front of our organization.

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

Keith,
I am a hunter as most of the people shooting 3D are and I think the label fits most of the people that I know. A novice archer entering the IBO competition would not be required or limited to shooting any class but would be able to move at any time from any class. The Class by what ever name that would be new would be available for all new comers and would have no rewards of money or belts or anything other than a trophy possibly. This would be a new begining for the IBO class system and would not be a burden in any way. Hunter class is doing to well to make a bunch of changes. Anyone in any class that would want to move to the new class should understand that it is possible but there would be very little glory.

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

I notice,in reading some of your responses, that many of you think the entry fees, along with the mandatory membership,may be what is keeping a lot of would be bow hunters from coming to the National Shoots, along with cubs and youths.
I would like to make a challenge to all of you for next year: Bring a local person from your area to a National Shoot. They can shoot bowhunter defense courses as many times as they want. The price is right, and the proceeds are for a great cause. They will be able to take in the tournament atmosphere, visit the vendors, factory reps, and talk to the pros. Let them experience the camaraderie of such an event. They don't have to be a member to shoot the Bowhunter Defense. Who knows,they may want to join later and feel good about helping the fund grow.
I think our sponsors and vendors would appreciate the new faces, and I know the BOD would be glad to see them.
I know this got away from the subject of HC, but this really is a good place for new people to start, since it is non-conpetitive and they can choose the distance they want to shoot. It may be the first time they ever had to score an arrow or even taken a shot at a 3-D shoot.
Just wanted to see if anybody is up for the challenge?
I want to thank everyone for their time and ideas for HC.
X/MAN

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

[8D][8D][8D] Thanks Xman!!! I think everyone forgot about the Bowhunter Defense courses, especially when they talked about beginning archers were out gunned in the HC class. Everything you stated is a solution to a lot being questioned!

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

fastfletch, i cannot dispute your above post, all that i am saying is that there are shooters in the hc whose ability has outgrown the class in which they are in. the hunter class is the class you describe. if the hunter class is the one you feel most compfortable in, stay there. the ibo is the only organization in which i have participated in that allows you to do so. i shot nra matches, and as you shot better, your aggregate scores dictated the class you were in. this is based on your ability, not equipment. golf has a handicap system....archery, as we know it, does not.

the ibo doesnt have enough shoots to be able to accurately guage an individuals performance. what i mean by this, is they hold the national triple crown, and the southern triple crown. unless all shooters participate in all ibo national events, the indoor world, winternationals, and both triple crowns, there is not enough data to consistently track a shooters scores, enough to base a proficientcy level of the shooter over the long haul. local club scores unless it is a world qualifier never get to the ibo office, so they cannot be used to tabulate information. this would also create a nightmare for the folks in the office keeping up with scores. the solution to the percieved problem is have people progress naturaly, within the classes available. mbr and mbo numbers declined when the hc was implemented. there are shooters from those classes who are very legitamately in the hc. it makes a place for them to go to compete. a shooter who can shoot the scores that are being posted in the hc could compete at a higher level. i dont mean participate, i mean compete. the shooters like hoytshooter1977 who are still challenged by the ranges are where they need to be........

now for the bowhunter defense ranges.....great idea. getting the shooters out there is always good. no strings attached, just shooting for fun....now, how many shooters could we expect to get out there? is someone from indiana going to drive to erie pa to shoot the bowhunter defense range? maybe, maybe not...maybe the ibo could have a questionaire at the bhd range to see just what folks are thinking......if there are locals who just come out to shoot the bhd range.

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

Well, thats a good idea, maybe we can advertise the BDR's more in the local papers around the time of the shoots. As far as that goes, advertise some, I dont think I have ever seen an advertisement for the challenge. We all know the what and when and where, because thats what we live and breath and think all the time, but in the communities its probably different. I think that although we all have differing opinions, one we share is the one about not torpedoeing what we already have. Great suggestion, butchb.

P.S. I made it back from the New River, and had a great time. So, I will be keeping all of my stuff.

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

i fully agree with keith, you should not be able to stay in a class that you are tearing up year after year and the same 25 people are at the top all the time, now hold on all of you out there that are gona say something about the people who win have to move up the next year. This is true but its not like one guy is dominating the hunter class and after he is moved out everything will be ok, it is more like 35 guys dominating it and at very BEST maybe 2 will have to move up next year only to propably come back the folowing year, the only thing you can do and will help is do what the ASA does and flight the classes or have a cut off score 400 or above your out for 2 years ther is no easy solution to this but i think it will save alot of memberships because if something isnt done soon ther are 23 guys from my area who will not be shooting the IBO next year

P.S I shoot MBR so im not complaining because im not winning just would like to see the average weekend warrier be able to go to a big shoot and come home feeling good about him self.

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

One more time.
We cannot solve a problem that is only a problem to a few people.
In the area where I live there is at least 40% of the shooters each week are shooting the hunter class. I will also bet that of those 35 to 40 people shoot every Sunday will not have 4 people at the World or the Triple crown shoots. If every club could get one half of the bowhunters shooting at the the National shoots that shoot at the club level they would be unable to handle the crowd shooting.
There is nothing that can or should be changed based on the opinions of a few people on the IBO forum. Our suggestions and opinions are important for communications to the people that make the decissions but that is the only value. If a company has a large percentage of their customers using one brand of anything you can bet that they will only encourage them and others to enjoy it and tell their friends about it.
How many Hunter class are participating in this thread?

Keith,
A handicap can be used at club level but would never be used in a championship shoot.
Some time when I have more time I have a handicap system that will work and has been tried here in this area. The score you shoot would determine your handicap and it would only apply to the date and score you are shooting.


After the World we will have more time for things like that.

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

Some of you people should open your eyes !! The same thing happened in the ASA a few years ago, create a new class for BEGINNERS and in 2 years it is the largest class (or close to it ). Problem is all the existing classes get smaller cause now all the people that aren't shooting in the top half of their class suddenly think they are beginners and drop down to the new class!! If you created a lower class half of them would try to shoot that. How many of these people are REALLY in their first couple seasons of competition ? VERY FEW !!! This class should be a stepping stone to get some experience and then MOVE UP !! I know people that have been going to worlds for almost 10 years and this class was not created for people like them ! If they want to strut around the local shoots and act like they ARE SOMEBODY then they should prove it by shooting AGAINST somebody !! The wanting to win is a powerful thing but please people, have alittle pride in yourself and your ability and shoot the class you belong in !

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

PAPROUD, Great post, that class was designed for the new guys and gals, we have seen shooters go back to the hunter class. As I tried to get across in my two posts about this subject, maybe no changes need to be made. The people that want to shoot those high scores can, and we will keep the local guy fom coming to an National shoot because he can't compete against those chest beaters!! Police the class yourself hunter shooters, peer pressure is the only way I guess, that we are going to get those shooters to move up!