RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

I may be missing the point or I haven't been in this organization long enough to know when the hunter class was organized and what the class requirements are. I have read in the rules but I may have missed the original published concept as to the reasoning for the class. Hunter Class by definition to my interpatation does not in any way denote a begining archer. A novice class would be self explanatory. A class that would be created for a specific group such as a Novice class would leave no doubt if worded as such in the rules. The rewards would be limited and those with self imposed limitation could stay as long as they like.
I think that this horse has been beat to death. IF IT AINT BROKE DON'T FIX IT.

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

look fastfletch iv kept my mouth shut but i just cant take it any more, it sounds to me like your one of the people in the hunter class that shoot a good score and come home after every national shoot beating your ches about how great of an archery you are shooting a good score on a course with the average shot of about 25 yds, THIS CLASS IS BROKE and it definately nees fixed, this class was invented for the avid archer to get attendance up because before it people were intimidated to come shoot IBO shoots because they basicly had 2 choices either shoot MBR or MBO and a 45 yd max is to far for a begining archer, the hunter class is now dominated by people who have been shooting and been members of the ibo for a long time and thats not what the class was designed for it was designed for the avid archer not for somebody who is shooting in the 70's or 80's in MBO or MBR to drop down to the hunter class and shoot 10 or 20 up. maybe that will help you understand exactly what is broke with the hunter class and what needs to be fixed.

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

I like the idea of expanding the hunter defense ranges. This would raise money for the IBO but not require the membership fees to shoot. If the intent is to attract new shooters then this would be an ideal way to do it and not hurt existing classes. Change the name from bowhunter defense range as it could be confusing to new shooters. Why not make it to where some new shooters could pair up with some experienced shooters like Keith and others that shoot the hunter class or MBR. This would give experienced shooters a chance to pass along some helpful tips and possibly pave the way for new members to join. I would jump at the chance to pair off with a shooter like Keith or an MBO shooter and go through the range with them. It would be like a pro/am type of shoot. At the end of the course give the shooters a certificate and some chances at door prizes and they will go home and talk about the "pro" they shot with and perhaps join and talk their shooting buddies into joining also. At the same time wouldn't it give the MBR and MBO shooters an ego boost to shoot with an amateur and help the IBO grow a little? I realize that some of the top shooters would not have the time to do this but some would and who knows you could make someones day. I know when my wife and I got to shoot with Javan Parsons at Wetumpka, we were impressed with his helpful tips for me and my wife to shoot better. He had a cool shirt on with his archery shop sponsor on it and to us it was like shooting with a "pro" and we had a blast. We also shot with a couple of senior pros at Rome and they were also great to shoot with. To many of the new shooters that would come out, this would be like meeting a Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan of archery. I can't name the top shooters that I have met just this year that have taken the time out to talk to me and my wife and just hang out with us. That is what grows our sport and creates something even better; friendships. I realize that this is not a solution to the HC problems that some of you have mentioned but it will help get new shooters to our shoots. I will be back next year and my goal is to shoot better than the 50th and 40th place I finished in the last two segments of the southern triple crown this year(LOL). Thanks to all of you that take the time out to help us new shooters. My wife got her first bow for Christmas of 2003 and she could not have won the IBO state championships here in Alabama without the helpful advice of the great people in the IBO shoots we went to. Not one person had any negative things to say to her, only ecnouragment and just good friendly advice. To a woman as nervous and scared as she was going to Wetumpka for her first tournament that meant a lot! You never know the impact you can have on a persons life until you try. To you, you are just another shooter with a few sponsors on your shirt and a nice bow. To others though, you look like a pro that has been doing this forever. All of you are what make the IBO what it is. See all of you at Snowshoe in a couple of weeks.

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

I think everyone here is missing the point. The HC wasn't created just for beginner archers and nobody else, it was created so the beginning archer could ease himself into competitive 3D archery without having to shoot 50 yards. He can show up shoot in a class with a short max. distance, and leave with at least most of his arrows. It wasn't created so Joe Blow can show up and win a national level tournament. There should be no rule in the HC saying that anyone has to move up for any reason. Are there guys in the HC that should move up?? Maybe, but why? To give others a chance to win? Doesn't all of the HC shoot the same targets(I'm kidding)?? The idea that someone should move on to another class simply because they're doing really well is ridiculous. Everyone in every class has the same chance to win. We all shoot the same targets in each class. Nobody is whining about MBR guys that should move up, or that the recurve guy is too good and should move to the barebow class. In every class it takes a certain amount of skill and devotion to do well in that class, some more than others. If someone in that class shoots a really high score so can you, it's all a matter of devotion. Either do what it takes, or just have fun. My advice to you all, do both.

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

bowhunterlimerick,
Just to let you know how wrong you are the following are my own perosnal history facts.
I shoot MCBH.
I am 70 years old.
Ihave been shooting for 49 years.
I believe that archery organizations should listen to the majority and try to satisfy their desires and needs. I am sure that if what you are saying about the needs of the Hunter class is true it will be done when it becomes necessary as determined by the BOD. No organization should be built on the needs of a few people that would make champions out of people that do not earn their titles. If a National Tournament is to determine the best shooters in each class, the scores shot should be by people that have dedicated their efforts to become a champion. Beginners in 3D shooting should have to work to get to the top of any class. Keep working and when you win it will feel much better.

Bigg21,
Your post was a display of what is needed in archery by more new comers. I am sure that you will enjoy the game very much and do very well.

Good Luck

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

fastfletch, i could not agree with you more, there is nothing in the rules stating anything other than equipment for the hc......the original intent of the hunter class was to get the local guys, just like the ones at your club, to come out and shoot 3d, without the feeling that the guy with the pretty blue bow with the 4 foot stabilizer was shooting against him, and either intimidate or embarrass him because his camo bow has a quiver on it and he doesnt have any two arrows out of the dozen in his quiver are the same. that is the guy the ibo wants, not the die hard guys who travel all the time going down in class.....before the hunter class evolved, we always asked shooters to go to the range with us, and they always said "i cant beat you" well, the hunter class eliminated that. there is a place for them to play without loosing arrows, and getting discouraged. now that same new guy goes out, and gets beat by 75 point by someone who has been shooting for a long time.....who has the ability and skill to shoot against stronger competition. right now the hunter class is probably the most competitive one out there....knowing what i know now, there is no way i would shoot in the hc.....i would shoot the mbr or open....

as for your local guys only having 4 attend the world shoot at snowshoe, are they the best shooters from your area? maybe the other guys figure if they cant beat them at home they for sure wont go all the way to snowshoe and spend $60.00 to shoot the shoot, another $300.00 for a place to stay, $200.00 in gas and food, to get beat by the guy who beats them on sunday anyway....i sure wouldnt...

the wording in the rules as it is, needs a little work. equipment class is the standard argument. we have in our area a national triple crown champion in the mbr class, who now shoots in the hc. getting new shooter to participate in the local shoots is getting tougher because they all say the same thing, we cant beat him....

maybe the ibo could start a national triple crown trophy division...let anyone come out for any class, but only be eligible for a trophy.....the bhd range is also a great idea for getting folks out to the ranges, but as i said before, archery will not draw shooters from very far away just to shoot the bhd range......

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

National triple crown trophy class? Now that sounds like an AWESOME idea lets get some response for this guys i think it would really do well, look how well the trophy shoot at the worlds does!!!

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

A trophy class sounds like a great idea to me as well. What sort of entry fees and other details would this type class entail? What encentive would prompt me to shoot the trophy class versus the regular hunter class or MBR?

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

Ok, as I stated very early in this thread I intended to do a lot of talking and listening to shooters at the various events this year. That information along with the many posts seen here, have helped me to develope a reccommendation which I am in the process of formalizing for submission to the BOD for their concideration.

First off, let me say that the HC, however successfull in the number of shooters involved, is broken when considering the intended purpose. Those who refuse to see that are simply not looking at the bigger picture. The intended purpose was not so much for "beginner" archers (although they can benefit too) as it was to entice the average bowhunter to come out and play in a less intence format. Right now "less intence" certainly does not discribe the HC. I've heard the arguments about shooting within your comfort range, and although I disagree that the extended yardage would have much effect on most of these top shooters, I have to conceed their point.

My suggestion to the BOD will be as follows:
Implement 1 - new class entitled Competitive Bowhunter, maintaining all of the current equiptment and distance requirements as the current HC.
Charge full rates at all events for this class.
Utilize the same payout structure as all other competitive classes.
Award shooter of the year stature to this class.
Class eligibility for any HC gender or shooting discipline wishing to compete for money and recognition from 35 yd distances.
Leave The current HC's as they are now.
And finally, allow a 1 year period for the shooters to make the adjustments needed on their own. If at the end of that year the HC is still abnormally top heavy, institute a forced advancement of any shooter scoreing a 400 or above during the Shooter of the Year events.

It is my hope that the shooters will see the need for adjustment, and given the opportunity to continue with the same equiptment and distance, will choose to fix the problem themselves. If however they fail to do so, In my opinion, the Board must at that point take the needed steps.

I'm leaving in a week to head to West Virginia. I'm looking forward to the Mountain and seeing many of you there. Let me know what you think.

Chris Turner
IBO Ohio State Rep.

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

bluejacket, i agree with a portion of your post. the only one i have exception with is the money. from the ibo national triple crown all the way to the local club that mirrors, follows, or is a member of the ibo, the hunter class is destroying the target base, and the addition of money will only serve to attract even more shooters from other classes. look at the first go around at the world....former pro female shooter won the hunter class, take the money away and the sandbagging will stop. we cannot get folks at home to move up in class because of the ibo rules, and now the re-introduction of money. at home we give trophies, but because we follow the ibo rules, they will want money at home. please reconsider......the national triple crown is a huge event, but there are several hundred clubs out there that that idea may impact.....its not just about the national level archers.....

when the folks who do shoot the ibo events will not move up at home, the ACTUAL bowhunters usually stop shooting after a while....they are tired of getting beat to death. guys who shoot 300X60 indoor and shooting hunter.....former mbr triple crown winner, hunter class....whats fair to the new shooter about that.....

most will say they should practice and put the time in....you have to keep them in the sport long enough to get the experience, and put the time in....not kick them in the teeth at the door........