Match Attendance: Speaking strictly for short range IBS Score Matches here in Maine, there was a rebound last season [2022] likely due to C-19 restrictions being lifted. This year tho,' the numbers are down at both large ones, like State Championships, and for single yardage Matches.
Overall costs are a factor, but I'd say attrition is the primary cause of dwindling attendance. As older competitors give it up, they are not being replaced.
In the last few seasons we had several younger folks compete is some Matches, but only one of them now attends. Meanwhile a couple of long time competitors have thrown in the towel.
We had a 100 yd Match on the 16th and there were 10 HVF, and 3 Hunter Class competitors. Granted the weather was a challenge, but 10-20 years ago there would have been double, or even triple that number.
So far, efforts to curtail this trend have been largely unsuccessful. Too bad.
SJ