Back from ETAR, what a blast!

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#2952

I’m back! Over the years, I seldom have been able to make it, because I’m on the road most weekends in the summer. last year for example, i made it only Sunday. It was a blast as usual! Meeting colmike (cool Mike in my book!) was a lot of fun! I had THE scotch, as promised, a few of them, and I can report that my shooting went down only a few %’s the next day as a result. I arrived Wednesday evening in order to have a full day Thursday since I had to leave Friday morning to go on the road Saturday and Sunday for concerts in Virginia. I was able to shoot 4 3D courses, bought an Asbell hooded jacket, a new boa quiver and bow stringer for my new Elkheart. I had a 45 minutes broadhead sharpening lesson with Ron from KME!! I chatted with Fred and Teresa Asbell, Larry and Belinda Fischer, Reg Darling, big jim, illinois trad bowhunter and Bear rep Chris Parrino, i introduced myself to the Zipper bows and grizzly heads people as the guy they sent 300 broadheads to when I ordered 6 only :shock:, to name a few. But I had to leave, and I missed shooting with my NY friends Fred( 1/4 away on tradgang) and Tony, but I promised myself to try to take off the whole weekend next year and drop a serious trad camp with friends! Hopefully with you, Dave, and a few other tradbow folks, like smithhammer and ausjim. It’s worth the trip, believe me!!!

I will post just a few pics. I had too much fun, and kept my phone in my pocket most of the time, sorry!! 😀

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#14800

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#14813

Reg Darling

Really learning to sharpen my broad heads with Ron!!!

Colmike before hitting the course!

My Thunderhorn bow quiver and my back quiver made by Teresa Asbell

[William Warren]

#14867

Wow! Looks like a great time. I wish those shows were closer to me. So many bows, so little time. 😀 I’m glad you had a great time and thanks for sharing the pics.

[Cameron Unruh]

#14890

That is awesome Alex – Thanks for sharing…I am going to attend our local Fresno Field Archers – Gene Foster Trational Rendezvous in Nov. I wish we could somehow get some of big names and special folks to make their way out. That would be awesome to meet the Asbell’s and others…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#14951

Looks like a great time, Alex! I’d really like to make more of an effort to attend some of these bigger trad events, but I know it would be hell on my pocketbook…

[Col Mike]

#15413

Alex has given the first spot report and I will follow tomorrow with some pictures I hope.

What an awesome venue and I won’t list all that I bought as I’m still trying to hide it in the garage.

Larry and Belinda were great reps for the magazine and this site and Belinda has great knives:D

Trailing in Alex’s footsteps is like following the “rock star”. Just don’t shoot a 3-D course with him if your trying to concentrate–his phone kept ringing as he was getting “text messages” from his girl. Dave make sure he leaves it in camp. Yes I saw her pictures and yes she is a keeper8).

Fun meeting and talking with Fred and Teresa Asbell. Fond memories of Indiana way back then. What a great opportunity to thank the instructor in person.

My first rendezvous and first 3D shoot–loved it– only broke one arrow.

Ron’s class for Alex and I was a real pleasure. Learned more about putting an edge on in that 30 minutes or so then I ever have–and yes I bought the KME sharpener. What a delight to meet the E in KME– Ethan–a 12 year old that will ensure the Trad. Archery legacy lives on.

More later after 5 hours on the road–time for the ole man to hit the rack.

Last but not least I was amazed at the numbers of folks there and what a neat bunch.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#15794

colmike wrote:

Trailing in Alex’s footsteps is like following the “rock star”. Just don’t shoot a 3-D course with him if your trying to concentrate–his phone kept ringing as he was getting “text messages” from his girl. Dave make sure he leaves it in camp

Mike, we sent and received a few text messages on purpose, just to make your shooting situation more challenging, in order to make you an even better shooter than you already are! :P:P

[David Coulter]

#15803

Looks like a great time, Alex. I consider it every year now, but between work and family stuff going on this weekend every year, it tough… maybe next year. Looks like a good time. I’d love to meet some of these folks, especially G. Fred. Thanks for posting the photos. all the best, david

[Larry O. Fischer]

#16502

Alex, Enjoyed our time together. Enjoyed our visit with you and Col. Mike hope our paths cross again soon.

Larry

[jmsmithy]

#16550

Great meeting up with the Colonel as Mike and I were in rooms next to each other. We met in hotel vestibule and got to chat about bows, dogs (and my family’s upcoming trip to see him in Maryland!). Then we never saw each other!

I wanted to meet Alex too as fellow NJ late season Bowhunters we need to hook up! Of course once the “Spirit of ETAR” – and my stick bow crazed 14 year old son – kick in it’s a Thursday -Sunday nonstop whirlwind.

Great highlights, among many, G Fred’s great seminar and the opportunity to really pick his – and Mrs Asbell’s brain – and finally get my last book of his, signed.

– Monty Browning’s enjoyable stories, and my son’s beaming smile as he sat listening in utter silence (a first!)

– great courses, up and down the mountains of PA…

– meeting great folks, both from in and out of our TB community 😀

– my son made a new buddy, two of them shot together for hours, great kid, his age. Met his Dad as well. Turns out they live about 15 minutes from us here in Jersey. We’ll be going to the Whittingham shoot here in 3 weeks together 8)

And too much more to type ❗

Love to have a TradBow “Gathering” of some sort next year. Dates are July 24-27. Folks that run the event are looking for some big ideas as it’s the 25th ETAR Anniversary 😆

Would be great fun for all of us to hit a course together :!::!:

[James Harvey]

#16818

Great pics Alex, and great little write ups from all you guys that went along. Jealous doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel. Jerks 😉

[shreffler]

#16991

So I just figured I’d put a short intro here since I haven’t gotten the chance to formally introduce myself to most of you;

I’m Alex, 22, from Northwestern PA. I go to California University of PA (between Pittsburgh and WV) and graduate this December with a Bachelors Degree in Human Resources. Been shooting a bow since I could walk but just recently picked my recurve back up and started shooting with it exclusively. I have already learned so much from reading through these forums and have a feeling that learning will probably never stop 8)

You seem like a great group of guys and I hope to contribute in some way – although I have some work to do if I want to keep up with you comedians 😆

I had never been to ETAR before but got the chance to go on Sunday only. I only live about an hour and fifteen minutes away so it was easy to run over there.

Me and two buddies went just on Sunday and got to shoot, buy some cool stuff, meet some cool people, and see some seriously good shots.

My buddy Garret got a screamin deal on a 1970 Kodiak Magnum for $80 – the thing is a beauty. I bought 2 dozen shafts from Allegheny Mountain Arrow Woods, and we all got some miscellaneous feathers and points.

Didn’t take many pictures since we were only there for a day and since I have verizon there was no service anywhere – even on the mountain.

Some pictures –

My late ’72 Kodiak Mag riding up the ski lift with me

Me (on the right), Garret (in the middle), and Andy (on the left) riding the ski lift up to the top of the mountain.

The view of the mountains on the way up

Me shooting at a polar bear target on the way down.

We had a blast and are going to make sure we go and camp the whole weekend next year. Oh yeah and bring about 5 times as much money 😆

Alex

P.S. – sorry for them uploading sidways, not quite sure how to run this darn thing yet 👿

[James Harvey]

#17359

Alex, it’s great to see more young guys getting amongst it 😀

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#17606

Alex,

Great to see you young guys doing it!! You should hook up with Reg Darling. He lives in Warren,PA! I hope to shoot a course with you next year.

[shreffler]

#18062

I’ve actually heard of Reg before, but don’t think I’ve ever met him unless it was when I was a kid (I basically grew up at our local trad archery club). I believe in one of my local book stores the other day I was just looking at a venison cookbook he wrote back in the early 90’s.

I hope to meet up and shoot a course or two with you guys next year as well. Definitely planning on camping the entire weekend because it was a blast.

I like the idea of getting you Ausie guys and Dave all there – sounds like fun already 😆

[sharpster]

#18503

Alex and ColMike,

The time I spent with you fine gentlemen was the highlight of the 4 day event for me!:D

I assure everyone that these two can now teach sharpening as well as I can. …well, almost as well anyway.:P

Ron

[Col Mike]

#18688

Ron

The class you gave was great–the kitchen knives are now lethal weapons:D. My best to Ethan.

JM–never did see you or your son again after our first meet—that’s how many people were there.

I will have fond memories of my first rendezvous– now I just have to figure out how to load the darn pictures:(

Next year ought to be a blast.

Mike

[Author]

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