RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

If the 11 ring is being shot up as bad as is being stated then why can't the IBO and other clubs work with McKenzie or some other target manufacturer to build targets with replaceable 10 rings instead of having to replace the entire midsection at a much higher cost? I agree that this is a costly problem. If however, we are only shooting out the small 10 ring and 11 ring section then with the clout the IBO and other organizations have the target manufacturers should take notice and step in to help solve this costly problem.
This is my first year shooting IBO tournaments and I have had a great time. I like several others here shot about the middle of the scores and had great fun while doing it. To those shooters that shot the high scores, you deserve a big congratulations for your hard work and dedication. To those shooters like me, enjoy the competition and fun. Meet as many good people at these IBO shoots as you can and enjoy the fellowship. Work at getting better and remember that better competition makes us better shooters down the road. As almost everyone has shown here, we are all wanting the best for IBO and it's members as a whole to promote 3D and bowhunting and to do what's best for all of us. I have not read one posting here that was asking for anything for themselves, only what is good for our sport. I am proud to be a member of such a fine group of people. I hope that with all of the great ideas that all of you have put forth we can grow not only the HC but all of the classes men, women and youth alike.

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

Let me give this a shot. As I see it we need to get people out to support the local clubs. This I do agree with. I know in my area the numbers are down. One of the reasons for this I believe is the economy. Another reason I believe is that I don't see the youngsters participating as they once did. To confirm this just look at the numbers of youth that shoot the national tournaments compared to the number of adults. Most of us all know a youngster that we could try and get interested in this great sport rather it be a niece. nephew or the boy or girl next door. If we can get the youngsters involved the adults are sure to follow. We need those youngsters to keep this sport growing. None of us are getting any younger. Back to getting the numbers up at our local club shoots. As I mentioned I do believe the economy is hurting the turn out. People just don't have the extra money. Which brings me to why those that are constantly shooting the high scores we are seeing in the hunter class should move to a more challenging class. With the cost of targets being what they are it is not cheap for a club to keep them in good shape. If they are shot for to long you no longer can see the scoring rings or you start getting pass throughs. This inturn cause the club to loss shooters. So, now we have those shooters capable of shooting up on each cousre meaning that they are pounding the 11 ring and are constantly hammering a 3 or 4 inch circle the targets don't last near as long. This cause the club to replace the targets much early resulting in more cost for them and driving the shooting cost up. I see no clear decision that can be made to get shooters to move to a more challenging class other than if you shot for example 400 or up you will have to move up. Those staying in the hunter class that should have moved up are only hurting everyone involved. As for the numbers dwindling in the MBR class my thought on that is that in the youth classes to be competitive they need to be shooting scopes. So, when it is time for them to move on they are naturally going to the MBO class. If we could get the numbers of the youth classes up we might be able to have a scope and a pin class. The numbers at this time would not justify doing it. We need to get more youngsters involved for this sport to keep growing. Just a few of my beliefs. One thing is for sure what ever the board decides let not bitch and point fingers but go with it because we are all in this together. To coin an old saying a divided house soon falls but a united house goes on forever. Or something like that.

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

i am new at this sport and this may be a stupid sugestion but if the 11 ring is getting shot up and the scores are a problem, why don't you put the 11 ring in the 8 ring 4 inches or so from the 10 ring, if your good enough to hit it you will shoot for it. less people will take the chance saving the centers, less damage to targets and scores will be in a more even playing feild. then you will have to do nothing else to the class, and the shooters that have the ability to hit the eleven without giving up a bunch of 8's deserve to win, it would also be more challenging to them, i think everyone would be happy. the scores and the targets will be taken care of.

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

got in a hurry, i should have added that, i am new to the sport, joining the ibo is probably the greatest thing i have done. i have meet so many wonderful people that are very helpful. i thank everyone. whatever decision is made i will be behind 100%.

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

U.A.L.,
IBO is a hunting org. The kills are designed to teach reasnoably correct shot placement in a hunting situation.(If they are broadside on a level field,that is another discussion)
As such they have a placement for the ten ring in a statistacally correct place. Therefore the 11 should be in the middle of the ten. Highest percentage for a quick humane kill.
Bluejacket, you in there? He has a couple good ideas that he told me about in Nelsonville.
I need some direction here in a way that will help the (now) two directions we need for this class.
Check the posts from the beginning and see if we can find some direction.
ken12

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

Some very good ideas, the one that really sticks out, (and i'm just a quilty as the next shooter) look around you when you are talking about how bad or how good you shot. You don't know who is listening. This is very hard for some people(including myself). Smile and say I shot okay today. If you didn't, go home and work on it a little harder, or work at it a little less. A friend told me this one," no matter how good I shot on Sunday I still have to go to work on Monday". We are able to shot our bows on Sunday, how about those 900 Americans that haven't made it home? This is suppose to be for fun and to make us better hunters. Let's think about why we really enjoy this sport?
Rudy Abersold

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

Not too many years ago a fast bow was shooting 260-280, everyone shot aluminum shafts of large diameter and guess what ? Targets lasted longer ! I really wonder how many of the HC shooters actually hunt with their hopped up 3-d setups ? Unless everyone shoots a mech. broadhead of some type I'll bet the arrow flight is ??????. Or how many of them change setups when deer season comes along ? My 1st year of comp. was 1996 and I qualified for the national shoot in Ky. in the ASA in the hunter class. I showed up with my HUNTING SETUP and was shocked at what most people were shooting ! Keep the HC for HUNTERS with HUNTING EQUIP !! Scores will be closer(and alittle lower) and targets will last alot longer. Please keep the binos ! We have antler restrictions here in Pa. and you better look BEFORE you shoot !!

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

:D:D:D Bow Pro is exactley right about the center of the 10 ring should be where the 11 is because it is the dead center of the best shot placement area. But I have a little different twist here for you guys and Bow Pro to think about; why not make the 10 ring smaller( about half the size it is now, eliminate the 11 ring altogether. If your a very good shooter you can hit the 10, although it will be a little harder for the average guy and he is going to drop a lot of 8s, the concept of the best shot is still there and gives a bigger area than the 11 which is chewing up the targets. The math would be easier, and remember when Randy shot a perfect score how much hoopla the bow world had. It would be nice to have some perfect scores again and a REAL shoot off CROWD. Just think of all the excitement...itsnt that what competition is all about????

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

i have been shooting in the ibo for about 6 years now and there is a definate problem with the hunter class, i shot a 400 at erie last year and realized that it was definately time to move up to mbr or something more challenging. i am shooting mbr this year and i am not shoothing the high scores that i shot last year but i am definately having more fun and am being challenged unlike shooting the hunter class where you walk up to the target and it is quite obvious what pin to use. there are some very good ideas on this forum for the hunter class for next year and i definately agree that anybody who shoots 400 or above should have to move up for TWO years not just one, ther is a man who finishes in the top 5 or wins the HC every other year this has to stop once you move up your up for at least 2 years, give the new guys a chance, i say keep the 11 but eliminating binos from this class doesnt sound like a bad idea

bowhunterlimerick, Punxsutawney PA, GO BOTECH!!!

RE: HUNTER CLASS IDEAS
 

Going to a IBO shoot is in no way like going hunting. It is a competitive event which most people plan on and practise for most of the year. The hunter class is established and doing very well as it is. If the answer is to satisfy more of the beginning archers who would like to try 3D then Make the hunter class a regular class and let the people that are in the class who are unhappy move to the new class with the other shooters and newcomers. If finding a winner that everyone will be happy with is the problem draw the names out of a hat at the end of the shoot for the new class and post their scores for class recognition. The new class should have a name similar to 3D Novice or bowman etc. At the world or one of the other national shoots let them register for free two times and give them the complete rules and definitions of the classes within the organization. The person who shoots the highest score will be recognised with an appropiate trophy or plaque and then must join the IBO and if they desire to compete at other events they must pick a class and pay all the required fees. The free registration for the class must be within the IBO calendar year. Shooters who have previously registered at any IBO National shoot during the previous 5 years are ineligable. The people who have established their desire to shoot in a class by attending and qualifying for the world in that class have pretty well made their desires known. New archers who want to try the IBO shoots for the first year should not expect to be or be given the title of Champion. It is nice to have new people come in and try competitive archery but this is a plus to joinging IBO and everyone still has the IBO representation for hunting to help protect and further future hunting.