I know of more than a few who have accepted the Challenge this year and not yet announced themselves, but what's disappointing is that I know of more than a few who should but haven't. They sat the sidelines last year too. I don't know if they don't trust the spirit of the ABC, or if they question the judges, or if they simply doubt themselves. The truth is that there are no legit excuses if you love making organic bows. None. Jerry Ross blew most of the knee-bend excuses out of the water last year.
Frankly, I would love to see Tim Baker and some of his friends entertain such a bow. Some of the prominent posters on this forum, too. This Challenge transcends personalities, agendas, posturing, gurudom, belief systems and every other petty concern that only drives wedges between us. This is a sport to bring people together, a craft within it to bring them joy and self-satisfaction, and a Challenge within that to stretch their limits and have fun while simultaneously promoting the sport. Is there one person who picked up the Challenge last year who in his own estimation did not profit immensely from it?
Every time a squirrel timbers, do you think he requires assurances that he can make the branch on the adjacent tree?