FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — The International Bowhunting Organization (IBO) will be holding the third and final leg of its National Championship Triple Crown July 12-14 at Two Mile Run County Park in Franklin.

(Photo courtesy of IBO website)

The IBO champions will be crowned at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, July 14.

The first leg of the triple crown was held May 17-19 in Pipestem, W.Va., while the second leg was held June 14-16 in Bloomington, Ind.

According to a representative of the IBO, there will be close to 800 participants during the third leg of the championship bringing nearly 2,000 people to Venango County.

Tom Prody, the local representative, thanked the Venango County Commissioners for their support of the event at the Tuesday, July 9, meeting.

According to its website, the I.B.O was created in 1984 by a dedicated group of bowhunters who shared the desire to ensure that bowhunting and the ideals of wildlife conservation survive, expand and flourish to be shared, enjoyed and passed on to future generations.

By its charter, the organization’s purpose is “To promote, encourage and foster the sport of bowhunting; further bowhunter education; act as a political coordinator and liaison for the protection and advancement of bowhunting; — function as a clearinghouse for essential bowhunter information; and — adhere to the basic ideal of the unification of bowhunters.”

As part of the Triple Crown and World events, competitors regularly participate in a unique tradition, shooting the IBO Bowhunter Defense Fund Range. Fees collected from those who shoot these recreational ranges are earmarked for the IBO Bowhunter Defense Fund. To date, this fund has disbursed in excess of $700,000 to help ensure a strong and lasting future for bowhunting.

More information on the IBO can be found at its website https://www.ibo.net.