I've been involved in competitive archery in New England and New York since the early 1990s. I've seen many things come and go, and I've been a part of things that encountered stumbling blocks along the way. Now, our region has a few different options to choose from when it comes to 3D shooting, including the RBD, the ASA, and the IBO.
I will be forever tied to the IBO because that's where I found my way in this sport, and I have encouraged others to follow since those days in the '90s. Although I support all archery, my heart is tied to the IBO. I've found great success there over the years, and I still believe what I was told when I started: the IBO will bring out and identify the greatest 3D shooters, as it tests all skills involved, including yardage judging, which is how the game started. Over the years, many of us have forgotten that all of these 3D tournaments are games, and each game requires shooters to strategize and figure out how to play it to the best of their ability.
A few years ago, there was some turmoil in New England when a line was drawn in the sand. Many people became tentative and got angry with each other. However, I was brought up on the beach and learned to play in the sand as a kid. I would watch the water wash away sand castles and create places to build new things. The water had no mercy and paid no attention to different architectural designs on the beach. I approached the situation the same way.
That's when three of us got together and formed a series of shoots that would be referred to as the IBO Northeast Triple Crown to give people an idea of what it feels like to compete for an overall prize. We figured we would let people experience what goes on at the national events in hopes of encouraging them to travel and try the same type of thing where they could compete against the best shooters in the country for a chance at winning the IBO National Triple Crown, the most coveted prize in 3D archery.
There were some headaches in the beginning, and the other two organizers quickly had to devote more time to their children. That's when Tyler Thygesen and Rob LeLacheur stepped up and jumped into the ring in an attempt to keep the tradition alive and well. The three of us spent a lot of time talking about different things and trying to make decisions to benefit the shooters as well as ourselves, since all of us have very busy lives as well. That's why we put it in the hands of trusted individuals who have supported the IBO over the years. Although we ran into one hiccup with this and got blindsided, we navigated through the rough waters and were able to get the ship sailing straight again and pretend it never happened. There will never be a ship that doesn't have to navigate rough waters after getting a great forecast from a less-than-deserving weatherman.
That brings us to this year. As I sit here a week before the festivities of the IBO World Championship begin, Tyler, Rob and I would like to say thank you to every shooter in our region who has supported us, given us help, and shared new ideas. We have had to make some rough decisions since we began working together, but please know that we all do it as a team. If we can't handle anything or don't know what to do, we seek advice from the main office and let them have the final decision. A lot more goes into this than anyone can possibly imagine. I've always admired all the people who run archery organizations and tournaments. It takes a special person to do it and listen to all the nonstop complaints. While there are people who give compliments, the complaints can drag you down and question why you're doing it. A complaint is one thing, and constructive criticism is another thing. While I've done my share of both, I've tried being much more diplomatic about my criticisms in modern times. Please walk lightly when trying to lend advice. Not many people have thick enough skin to not become offended, then they hold grudges and refuse to make changes for the betterment of shooters.
We had good crowds at all of our events this year, and we would like to thank the effort put forth by all of you. Without you, we could never pull this off. I encourage many of you to bring a friend next year and introduce them to some 3D archery. You can look at it as a short-distance TAC event. You're only competing with yourself, and there's a class for everyone. In our third leg this year we had over 100 shooters at the event. Third legs always get the least amount of participation, and we were ecstatic to have the turnout we did for that event. Walter Muzzey took the lead for this tournament and set a fantastic course. It resembled a national course to the T.
I'd like to encourage all of the people at the IBO World Championship to come up with ideas for your own regions. West Virginia already has its own Triple Crown, as we do here in New England. Please reach out to your state reps or the parent office and try to organize your own series of events. Don't rely on the reps but let them help you. You can still do these types of things as clubs. This is how we will continue to grow the organization that was put in place to preserve our rights as bowhunters, and those rights are under fire right now in many arenas that are unknown to most. You must also remember that it is a game, and yardage judging is part of the game. I like all archery games, and I never would've known this if I didn't try all of them. All of the guys in the picture at the beginning of this are part of our extended family of archers in New England. I encourage you to go above and beyond and create new members of your family through the creation of events that model themselves after national events. Good luck and God bless. I'll see you on the trail.
Tyler, Rob and I would like to thank all IBO members and non-members for their support. All three of us support all things archery, and we would like to encourage others to do the same. It takes a team to create anything, and it also creates a team that comprises open-minded people who can look into the future and understand it's up to them to pass on the heritage they have come to love.
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