Archery events numbers

[dcmeckel]

I was wondering if archery clubs in other areas of the country are experiencing a decline in participants?Down here in Texas,our numbers have been falling for quite some time,and we can't seem to find a reason for it.Traditional archery isn't as popular down here as it is out east,but even our compound tournaments are getting weak.Any thoughts?

[lpcjon2]

You should go to the main forum page and at the bottom there are state forums and they post stuff about shoots and events and there is a event/shoot forum half way down on the main forum page.

[Green]

I know here in Texas the attendance at some of the events will increase by 1 now that I've picked up my bows again. Maybe two now that I'm getting my 11 y/o daughter her first bow for Christmas.

Really enjoy 3D shoots....need to find some that are close to central Tx to hit next Spring.  I'll definitely go to the shoot in April at the Bugscuffle.

[JamesV]

I will say that probably 80% of the shooters in any given event are not capable of winning and once they see the clannishness and cheating that goes on at some clubs they loose intrest. The clubs for the most part cater to the better shooters and these people feel left out or just there to pay the way for the "good" shooters. Make it fun for the average shooter and your numbers will pick up.

[KEG]

We have the same problem here in So Cal. Most clubs have seen a decline in membership and lower attendance at shoots. Also, when looking at the participants most of us are fairly old.

JV, our club does not try to cater just to the better shooters. We listen to feedback and try to make our shoots better each time and still we see decrease participation.

[McDave]

Things tend to go in cycles.  I was reading an article about the Pasadena Archery Club, that was apparently down to about 8 members sometime in the '80's, and now is back up in the hundreds.  My club, El Dorado Bowmen, has been picking up members every year.  The shoots seem to be well attended and to be making money for the clubs/charitable organizations that put them on.  We put on our first trad shoot this year, so now there are two trad only shoots in Sacramento.

[Blackhawk]

Those clubs and events that go the extra mile to make sure folks have a good time will see attendace remain high or increase.  I attend numerous 3-d shoots during the year and experience all kinds.  

Clubs who simply throw out the same old shot up targets in the same spots and continue to increase prices are the losers.  Do something different, innovative, entertaining, and folks will come.

[traditionalman]

Personally I don't even turn a score card in at a 3D shoot. Not because I could not win but it is not my thing. I shoot for fun and hunt for meat not a rack. Yes, there is a lot of cheating going on but thoes shooter have to know if you have to cheat to win What did you win. Also many people are working two jobs now and just don't have the time or extra money for 3D shoot fees and the extra gas.

[1kwikstik]

In my case, the economy has something to do with it, I just don't have the disposable income I used to have. Plus, at some of the shoots I've been to lately, they have the most ridiculous, brushy shots you'd never take at a real animal, and at some they actually admit they don't want their targets shot up!

[Green]

Dave - thanks for the email invite and link to the CLAC....will try to make the March shoot to start with.

[David Mitchell]

Shoots in our area are not drawing many at all.  Our bow club is around 30 years old and may not survive more than another year unless we can turn things around and we've tried about everything to date that we can think of and so far nothing has worked--not a traditional club, by the way, but most of the support at present seems ot be from trad guys.

[Nosight]

The numbers at our club have been staying the same or getting better for the last 5 or 6 years..

There are several reasons for this.

1) we lowwered the prices..
2) we made all of the shots for fun not to save the target.
3) We try not to use the same layout from shoot to shoot.
4) we have several shoots that are held the same weekend of the same month from year to year. If you were to pick just one of the shoots and only came to that one shoot you would never see the same layout ....EVER....

I could write books on how to get 3-Ds going again. The biggest thing that helped us turn everything around several years ago was to make sure that the whole family was welcome..

This was the biggest thing that made a differance for us..

Later....Buzz

[jsweka]

In the early 1990s, when I was a compound shooter, local clubs in PA would consistenly bring in around 200 shooters in a single 3D shoot.  Thre were so many shoots sponsored by clubs, private individuals, and even volunteer fire companies that you could go to a shoot just about every weekend (except for Mothers Day and Easter) from the end of March through September. Me, my Dad, and a few friends never missed a weekend.  After a few years, we started getting a little burnt out and I went away to college, so we didn't go to as many.  It seems that around the same time the novelty of 3D shoots just seemed to wear off and many of the shoots went under.  Those that are still going don't bring in near the number they did before.  Like I said, I think the novelty of 3D shoots has just worn off.

Now that I'm only a traditional archer, the only shoots I go to are traditional only.  The good thing is that I live in the middle of PA and within a couple hour drive of quite a few around the state.  I have noticed that even the big shoot at Denton Hill (ETAR) hasn't been as crowded the past couple years as it was say 10 years ago.  So maybe the novely of 3D shoots is starting to wane among traditional shooters as well.

[wollelybugger]

I think hunting numbers are down and the younger generation doesn't seem to be taking up the shooting sports. It wasn't to noticeable but the number of young people getting into hunting and shooting have been declining for the past ten years or so. I shoot but don't keep score and only shoot by myself and when the range isn't busy. It lets me pick my shots and I like to keep my shots close especially if I am using my self bow.

[Terry Lightle]

I shot at contests for many years ,still enjoy them some.But would rather stump shoot