Been shooting IBO events for 10 years now. There was about 40 of us from Western Pa. going to all 3 of the triple crown events. Every year a few new shooter's would join us. Now there is 3 of us left and no new shooter's. I surveyed the situation and the wives stopped going years ago because of nothing to do in Bedford and Nelsonville. They can shop in Erie. It was kind of a family thing and when the wives stopped going, then the guys stopped going 1 at a time. Then this brings on no new shooter's. The most of us have no chance of winning so it's a vacation and shoot for us. I realize that Bedford,Erie, and Nelsonville started this all and they do a very good job of hosting the events,but a little fresh light on the program could be a real shot in the arm. My wife went with me to Flatwoods, Peek and Peek and now Snowshoe and is not going with me this year for the first time because she's ready for a change. There is a lot of shooter's still shooting in the area but just shoot the area 3D shoots now. I did get a young fellow interested in going to Erie this year. He drove up paid his $3 parking,was willing to pay the $45 to shoot MBO and then was told he had to pay another $25 to join the IBO to shoot. He did a little shopping and went back home. He's just out of college with a new job and could only shoot Erie. I want to see things alive and well and I don't see them going that way.

I am glad my husband got me into shooting. I have only been shooting for 3yrs now. I am no way at the top yet. But I keep getting better every year. I do enjoy shooting with my husband and have made a lot of good friends over the years.
I know the numbers are going down and it is sad. Five of us from OH, went to NY for the third leg of the North Coast Challenge. They only had 24 shooters on Sat. They put on a real nice shoot and we had a lot of fun. They have a real nice club there. It was a good Nelsonville warm up.
I think we need to get more of the ladies shooting. A mom walked with her son at Erie with us, she has just started shooting. We told her maybe she could start with FHC. It is a good place to start. It can be a fun time for the family. It is all about keeping the sport growing.
We as IBO members need to do what we can to keep it growing. We all knew at the beginning of the year you had to be a member it shoot this year. The IBO does a lot to keep our hunting rights and to get the kids into this sport.

pasenior - If your wife goes to Bedford with you next year, Nashville, Indiana is a really nice place to spend the day shopping and not too far from the shoot.
I don't know any places around Nelsonville, I can never make it past the Rocky boot store. Athens is a close town and I'm sure has unique shops.

HELLO FROM ATHENS, I CAN BE YOUR ONE STOP FOR LOCAL INFO ABOUT THE AREAS AROUND ATHENS. ATHENS DOES HAVE SOME UNIQUE SHOPS, BUT YOU MUST REALIZE THAT THIS IS A COLLEGE TOWN, SO IF YOUR 22 YEARS OLD OR YOUNGER, THIS MIGHT BE FOR YOU. AND THIS TOWN IS NOT LIKE OTHERS I HAVE LIVED IN AS FAR AS A LOT OF SHOPS AND STORES. ALSO, ATHENS HAS A LOT OF TIE-DYE AND BELL BOTTOMS FLOATING AROUND, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. IN NEARBY LOGAN, YOU HAVE OLD MANS CAVE, NOT A LOT OF SHOPPING---NONE ACTUALLY, BUT IT IS A VERY NICE STATE PARK WITH BEAUTIFUL ROCK OUTCROPINGS THAT YOU CAN VIEW FROM TRAILS THAT LEAD YOU DOWN INTO THE BED OF THIS HOLLOW BETWEEN TWO CLIFFS AND ONE VERY LARGE CAVE (ITS NOT WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER A CAVE, BUT I DIGRESS). THERE ARE ALSO A COUPLE OF OTHER CAVES IN THIS AREA TO EXPLORE AND HIKE AROUND. AS FAR AS SHOPPING GOES, YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRY LANCASTER, IT IS ONLY ABOUT 20-25 MINUTES AWAY FROM THE SHOOT IN NELSONVILLE, THERE IS A DOWNTOWN SECTION WHICH YOU CANNOT MISS, YOU HAVE TO GO RIGHT THROUGH IT UNTIL THE NEW BIPASS IS COMPLETED, AND A SUBSTANTIAL MALL WITH ALL THE POPULAR STORES FOR YOU SHOP IN ALONG WITH RESTAURANTS AROUND BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE MALL. THE ROCKY BOOT OUTLET IN NELSONVILLE HAS ALREADY BEEN MENTIONED, ALSO IF FLEA MARKETS ARE YOUR THING, THERE IS ONE WITH BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE STANDS BETWEEN LOGAN AND LANCASTER RIGHT OFF OF ROUTE 33. HOPE THIS HELPS TO GET SOME OF THE SHOOTING AND NON-SHOOTING PEOPLE TO COME OUT. BUTCHB

Believe me in all the years we have been coming to Nelsonville, we have stayed at the Parks and the Gals have been to Athens, Lancaster, and all the big shopping stores and malls in Columbus. Already have enough Rocky boots. They are just bored coming to the same area for vacations every year. All I'm trying to say is that another area with some different things to vacation at would probally get our bunch IBO ing again. None of us have ever won a major event. We just enjoy shooting, meeting new people and seeing different parts of the country. Maybe someday one of us might get lucky and win one!!!! But I'm not going to hold my breath on that one.

Pasenior, yes there is somethihg wrong with no shows for ALL shoots. This is true all over the states. The one reason that I am aware and reason I don't shoot many IBO shoots any more, is that there are TO MANY BABIES complaining about penny items. Just read some of the items that are on this web and one will see how small some of the so call great shooters are. If this gets some $$$ off, well may be the truth really hurts. Who needs to go to a shoot and listen during and even weeks after the Monday morning quater back review. [&:]

I know what you mean Pasenior. My vacations are all used going to archery matches and hunting. We are really bored to death going on vacation to Bedford,Erie and Nelsonville. At least the world's gets moved once in awhile. Alot of my friends have stopped going for the same reason. Maybe these clubs should contract out to other clubs in there area to just add some flavor to things. I have decided not to go to Nelsonville this year. I have shot in that damn BEAN field and pature field for the last time. We shoot at clubs all over that would love to host a major event. These are really nice clubs with lots of acreage and lots of help. Don't have to shoot out in the middle of a BEAN field all day in 90 degree heat either. They have lots of woods. Like real hunting situations.

I'd say the prices are just to high for the average guy to go shoot for fun.$25 IBO mem,$45 to shoot MBR,$5 to park,$20-$30 in fuel,$120 a night to sleep,$50 to eat for a weekend,and this doesn't even touch the $$ in equiptment to try to be competitive.
$275 to shoot MBR for a weekend and if you're THE man,you may win $150 for first place.I'd rather skip the IBO shoots and go on some real hunts for that kind of money.

GUYS, FIRST OF ALL, I AM OK WITH GOING SOMEWHERE ELSE, EVEN THE IBO HAS STATED THAT THEY WOULD ENTERTAIN OFFERS AT LEAST FOR THE WORLD SHOOTS, I COULD BE WRONG ABOUT THE TRIPLE CROWN, BUT NO OFFERS ARE BEING MADE FROM WHAT I CAN HEAR. AS FAR AS COST, YEAH IT GETS SOMEWHAT COSTLY GOING TO ALL THE SHOOTS, BUT EVEN IF THEY MOVE THEM, YOU WILL BE PAYING THAT THERE. AS FAR AS NO WOODS TO SHOOT IN AT NELSONVILLE, I DONT KNOW WHAT CLASS YOUR SHOOTING, BUT IN MINE, 2 YEARS AGO, I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO BE ON HALFWAY LEVEL GROUND FOR A LITTLE BIT, LAST YEAR IT WAS SPLIT, 20 ON THE HILL AND 20 IN THE FIELD. I AM ORIGINALLY FROM SO. WVA, SO I SHOULD BE ACCUSTOMED TO STEEP HILLS, BUT NOT IN JULY. I REALLY DONT THINK THAT THE ENTRY FEES ARE THAT HIGH EITHER, THE PAYOUTS COULD BE BETTER, BUT HOW MANY OF US GET IN THE MONEY, AND IF YOU DO, THAT SHOULD BE REWARD ENOUGH. AND IF YOU CAN GO ON A HUNT FOR THAT KIND OF MONEY DURING THE SUMMER, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE, THE CHEAPEST I HAVE SEEN IS A THREE DAY HOG HUNT FOR AROUND $750. I AM NOT DISPUTING WHAT YOU SAY, AND THATS YOUR OPINION, BUT IF YOU WANT TO SHOOT, THATS WHAT IT IS GOING COST, AND ASA ISNT MUCH CHEAPER, I BELIEVE THEY ARE ABOUT THE SAME, AND THEY ARE MOSTLY IN THE SOUTH, MORE GAS AND TIME. I DO UNDERSTAND HOW ONE CAN GET TIRED OF THE SAME VENUE AGAIN AND AGAIN, BUT UNTIL SOMEONE IS WILLING TO HOST IT, IT IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO CHANGE.

I know in my particular case by the time my husband ($25-35) myself ($25-35) and our daughter(?) are done with shooting fees, gas, beverages and food we are looking at $100-$150 for the shoot so we only shot 1 leg.

But even if we just shot (Husband and Wife) all 3 of the shoots for the triple crown in he Northeast that would be $150 + Gas and stuff. And Gas was not cheap this year. The CT shoot was pretty far away for us.

Maybe next year
Connie