I have to agree 100%. I prefer to shoot 30 targets and drive all over the state to shoot ASA. I'm not going to drive to shoot 20.

When I joined our archery club in 2006, they used to shoot 15 targets, then take a break, then shoot the 15 a second time. This best move we made was to start setting up a 30 target course.

Another thing that helps is posting scores! Thank you ASA for being the greatest!!!

For us, the Tyler Archery Club, it is because we lack sufficient help to set targets. Plain and simple. 30 targets is too many for 2-3 people to set up. I always tell our shooters if they want to shoot 30, then come out and help set targets.
I know some clubs switch to a 20 target course in the summertime because of the heat- fewer targets mean getting done sooner

Also consider the cost of targets. If a local club can keep the unused ten targets in the stable, then it makes it that much better for them for their larger and more lucrative shoots such as qualifiers, member drives etc. The targets are not cheap in any way shape or form, and the manufacturers have not done the sport any favors recently in the durability or cost side as the sport has progressed.

As Piston stated above, it is mostly about the amount of work involved. There are a lot of people who want to come out and shoot then throw there stuff in there car and leave, but very few who want to actually help with the set up and take down. I have helped set up and take down almost every tournament at Collin County Bowhunters for the last 18 years. We still shoot 30 targets but it is getting harder and harder because it is the same 4 or 5 guys setting up every tournament, and the problem is, we are all getting old. I am almost 69, three of the other guys that help are just a few years younger than me. It seems that the younger guys who are members either don't have the time or do not want to make the commitment. I think a lot of clubs fail and fade away just for this very reason.

Hopefully some younger guys will take the helm at our club because those of us doing it now won't be able to in a very few short years.

Wayne

Cost of Targets!!

I know targets are expensive and it takes alot of labor to set up a 3-D course but without shooter participation most clubs will not survive on memberships alone. Archery Clubs and shooters alike need each other. If the trend continues im not sure what the future will hold for our much needed Archery clubs and just as important the archery shooter. The Archery community as whole is and remains very close. We see the same people pretty much anywhere we go to shoot. As and avid archer I love to shoot as much as I can but it does come down to cost $ and what I think I am getting in return for that cost. I know this also works the same for the clubs but when participation slows down everyone loses. Weather you are a club that needs members to help more or as a shooter who is looking for more archery clubs to shoot at. If we work together we can once again be a strong and vibrant archery community.

Mudbone,

We are shooting 15 now. You can shoot twice. When we get enough money we will keep buying more. My goal is two or 3 30 target sets!

20 is not enough.

I think we all strive to set 30, but we also have to keep in mind the safety and comfort of the setup/take down crews and the shooters. I can promise you the few times we have set 20 it was because it was over 100 degrees. Prior to the start people complained about 20, but after18 targets they were glad for it. We've always made 30 shots available but no one has taken us up on it.

By setting 20, the crew can shoot, pick up, and get home before it gets prohibitively hot. The extra 10 means an extra hour to hour to 2 hours for them.

Other clubs are just getting started and may not have the money for 30+ targets. The average deer target runs about $550-$650. It doesn't take a wizard to figure at that price clubs need $12,000 just to get started with targets. Figure in lease costs, mowing, etc and it is easy to spend $15,000 + in the first few months. By shunning these new clubs for 20 targets you are only hurting them.

Personally I will support every club I can get to as long as I can shoot 3D and practice judging. Who cares how many targets they have - they are doing a lot of work to host me and I get to shoot without working. Of course I work at my own club every time.

Saltgrass started with 20 'cause that was ALL we had ! About the time (3 shoots ) that I started getting feedback about 20 was too few, we were able to purchase 20 used ones, and that put us up to 30 and everyone said " YEAH !!!"

Just a side comment too, not trying to say one or the other, but Texas is one of the few states that sets 30 targets, most other states will set 20 or 25.

True. Years ago - before my time - clubs set 40 but they were cheap targets and short distances.

Texas has always done things their way and hopefully always will. The archery clubs are ran by their members and ruled by the members as they should be. The number of targets set at any one club most assuredly will be met with increased shooter attendance or a decrease in shooter attendance.

I remember years ago shooting 40 target courses (20 targets set and 2 different shooting stakes). This was the old Collin County archery club and they charged $10.00 to shoot the whole course and fed the shooters for free. The targets used were Mc Kenzie and some Delta's mixed in, pretty good targets for back then and Collin County never, even today do not set easy or short courses. I do remember back then that the average shooter turnout for a club shoot was anywhere between 150 and 200 people. Wish we could get that kind of turnout now.

That brings up a good point, Mudbone. Where have all the shooters gone? Many clubs would have that many, every month. If we had that many, we would not be having a discussion in our club about changing the membership dues. If we had that many and 10% came out to set targets, we could set 40 easily.