A friend emailed me about this thread, so I figured I should stop by and say thanks to everyone. The best thing about these events is the people you meet, the friendships that develop and the level of sportsmanship on display. I actually watched a competitor, John Demmer III, on the bowhunter challenge course call his own arrow out for eight after it was called in for ten and no one disputed it. I also saw several folks in shootouts for hundreds of dollars encourage their competitors and cheer each other on. Those are things you don’t see every day. If I had a dollar for every time I heard people in my peer groups complement each other for making good shots my motel room would have been free.
Oftentimes these competitions come down to the wire, and the Recurve Unaided class this year was no different. After three solid days of competition, all three podium positions were decided on the last target—five points separated first from third. Shooting last in our peer group and scoring an 11 on a long, uphill deer target for the win was undoubtedly the toughest clutch shot I’ve ever had to make. I retired that arrow and hung it on my bow rack alongside the arrows from some of my favorite hunts.
I would strongly encourage everyone to attend next year’s I.B.O. Traditional World Championship in TN. Whether you’re a serious competitor or casual shooter, there’s something for everyone. If nothing else it’s a great opportunity to get excellent advice from folks who are as proficient on the target line as they are in the hunting woods, and are always willing to help anyone who asks. Belt buckles aside, the advice I’ve received in the two short years I’ve attended has been well worth the expense.
Topic: Congratulations to Jason Westbrock (Read 1349 times)
