Trad Gang

I just wanted to send out a big Thank you to a guy I have never met. As most of you who know me know, my wife is in school at the present time not working and I am in the Auto industry with a GM dealership. You can kind of guess how that has been going and I am sure alot of you have seen bows I have been listing on the classifieds to help with the bills.  I put an add out looking to purchase the book "one with the wilderness", trying to save a few dollars on a used copy. Well Biggie sends me a PM asking me if I would like to borrow his copy for a little while. I am going on vacation with the inlaws next week so I jumped at the opportunity to borrow and read the book while on vacation. I get home friday night and there is a package in the mail, I assume it is the book Biggie was sending. Well I open the book up and it was personalized from Mike Mitten to ME. I grab the package and sure enough it was from Mr. Mitten. At first I was thinking maybe my wife ordered it becouse I have been talking about the book for months but then I start thinking, I wonder if Biggie had something to do with this. Sure enough, This bighearted man whom I have never met had gone above and beyond anything I could have imagined and ordered the book for me. What a guy! Biggie, Thank you so much for your genorosity. You have no idea how much this meant to me. Some day I hope I get the chance to share a campfire with you! You are a very kind man with a very warm heart, Thank you my brother!

awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:clapper:

Very Nice.

:thumbsup:     :clapper:

That's great.  You're a good one Biggie.

Very cool!!

Jamie you will thoroughly enjoy the book too!

Biggie...crusty on the outside; tender on the inside   :D

That's the reason I come here at least twice a day! The generosity and comraderie is second to none. Gives you that warm fuzzy feelin' don't it?

This is a fine example of the folks who hang their hat's here at Tradgang. My hat's off to you Biggie and Mr.Mitten.

  :clapper:

:campfire:    :clapper:

Biggie is a generous man, no doubt about it!  Good one Bud!  :thumbsup:

He's one of the "Good Guys"

:thumbsup:

Good Stuff Indeed. Awesome gesture Biggie.

:thumbsup:

Too Cool!! That's what it's all about right there  :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:

Chalk another great one up for Biggie!

 :notworthy:    :clapper:  


Billy

:clapper:    :clapper:

Nothing on this site surprises me.....but I have to say that's a dang good story.

VERY nice.

I know a lot of people are only familiar with Biggie through his posts on various bowhunting threads over the years. I wanted everyone to know this is the real Biggie Hoffman. His huge heart and generocity is why I've always considered him one of my all-time best friends. I'll tell you something else, Mike Mitten is the same way. There will be a great treestand in heaven someday for guys like this. Thanks from Uncle Barry.

very very cool .....
good one Biggie !!!

Ben

Great job Biggie! You are welcome at my campfire anyday!   :thumbsup:

One of the best....a big man, with a bigger heart     :notworthy:

a very nice gesture for sure. Seems as though a there is a lot of that here!!

Hi Wayne, you make me PROUD way to go my friend.

Great job!! Way to help a brother out.

:clapper:    :clapper:  SPEECH!! SPEECH!!!  :clapper:    :clapper:

:thumbsup:    :campfire:

That kind of story is nice to hear.

A few years ago I asked Biggie (online in a email) a few questions about the PBS. Two days later I had a FedEx at my door. Biggie had overnighted a copy of the PBS magazine to my home.. Yeah, they don't get any better than Biggie...


John Sanderlin III
Missouri

Now you know why he's called "Biggie":^)

Hey Biggie, you are the bomb!

Bona  :archer:

You know, somethings like this shouldn't surprise us, but it's awesome anyway.  Good job Biggie......................Shick

I can't remember which St. Judes auction it was but I was bidding on 3 arrows that had been Glen St.Charles personal arrows that he had autographed and that he had made out of Sweetland Forgewood shafts.  I lost the bid on those 3 arrows to Biggie.  A couple of weeks later I got a package in the mail from him and it was one of the 3 arrows!  I will never forget that, thankyou again Biggie and I have almost finished repairing the damage to it that the postal service inflicted on it so I can display it. Not only as a wonderful peice of archery history but as an example of the generosity that should be emulated and is not often found anymore in the world.     :D    Joseph

Nice gesture Mr. Hoffman   :thumbsup:

:clapper:

Great gesture Bigster...you the man.  :thumbsup:

I've had the pleasure to be on a couple of hunts with him and his generosity is real. We were fishing for lake trout up in Labrador during a caribou hunt. We had both finished our hunt so we got one of the guides to take us fishing. He was getting all the action and I, a long time fisherman, as well as a bowhunter, just couldn't get one of those fish to bite. As we trolled thru the "sweet spot" where they seemed to be lurking he got another hit and he handed me his rod. He wanted me to have the experience of landing one of those big fishes. Pretty cool!!!!

:thumbsup:    :clapper:

Well Biggie, "you old bag of hockey pucks" (thats a Canadian compliment by the way) Ya done good!  Warms the heart to see that there are still good people out there.

Allan

Very cool!!!

:archer:  Hat's off to you Biggie!

you guys are just seeing the tip of the iceberg, too!

He's a true blue friend....he, and his wife Jill have gone out of their way to be of help to me in many ways..many times.

One of my all time favorite hunts was with the Bigster and Uncle Barry in Maine..where not a shot was fired...but the time and memories are priceless to me.

Thanks to Biggie I was able to go on Bear Quest II. I will always be grateful! Hope to shake his hand some day and say Thank You.

---
T

:notworthy:

I am not surprised.  Biggie is a class act, with a heart much bigger than most.  Those of you who have never met the big guy in person, his hands are big as Lodge skillets.  Glad he has a good heart *^).

Things like this are why this place is "home" for me. I know it may sound cheesy, but this truly is much more than a website. Guys like Biggie make it that way.

Biggie is the best.  Very proud to call you my friend and looking forward to sharing camp with you this fall.

People like him are what make this so great. A wise man said "be the miracle you wish to see". I'd say this a good example of how regular folks can do that.

Biggie, I can't say anything more than what has already been said, except "Thanks for making us all look good"!  You are who your friends are! I am very proud to know you!

Nicely done Biggie!!!  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

another great trad gang story..way to go biggie   :campfire:

:clapper:   Awesome!

:clapper:     :clapper:    :clapper:

Way cool !!
 :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :clapper:    :clapper:

:notworthy:    :notworthy:    :clapper:

OUTSTANDING BIGSTER  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

:thumbsup:    :notworthy:    :clapper:

Never met the man but it sounds like I need to so I can shake his hand!  Never heard a bad thing about him either!

:notworthy:    :clapper:

Its the "Trad Gang" way. Never met "Biggie" but I know his reputation. Hats off to a big man, with a big heart.  :clapper:

:clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:

To a very fine man.

:thumbsup:    :clapper:  
There are some great people left in this world!
Many of them seem to reside here!!!  :clapper:

Aw shucks,guys......there's a little more to the story than what you've been told.

Once I offered to loan the book, I took it down and read the personal note that Mike had written me inside. Also, it was number 25, which is my PBS Life Member number. Knowing the post office like I do, there's always better than half a chance that the book would get lost or destroyed and I didn't want that to happen even by accident.
I couldn't go back on my word, so I did the only thing I could do  :-)

That's my story and I'm stickin to it.

WOW, what a guy !!

Biggie, now that you explain it, I guess you're not such a nice guy after all. Thinking only of yourself! Yeah right....wonderful gesture, but from the stories I've heard over the years I am not surprized in the least! The few times we have pm'ed in the past you have been more than helpful! Mike

This place makes a guy feel all warm and fuzzy!! no joke, Very Cool, Jason

I had the pleasure of meeting Biggie at dinner with Dick Robertson, (in Pittsburgh) and he is very funny to talk with and quite the nice person, No surprise about his generosity.  Good luck and hang in there, Joe

We make a living by what we get  

we make a life by what we GIVE.

joe

Even if we never meet Biggie you have a big heart and a lot of class. Well done. Limbolt

I've never met the man,been reading about him for years and years and the storys just keep getting better and better.A true legend. No one could mistakingly do that many great things!LOL ! Its why so many come here.

That's the way to operate. Do good things for people and do them the right way. Risking #25 would have been the wrong thing to do, but getting the book in the mail in time for the vacation -- that was right. Congratulations go out to Biggie for being a good man.

You'll find no finer and proud as can be to call him friend. I'm also honored to have him as a role model around my boys; I can give no greater compliment to any man.

But DANG is he going to be insufferable in camp     :biglaugh:

:campfire:

Anybody wants to hear any bad things about Biggie-just send me a pm!! Wayne, You knew I couldn't take much more of this!!!

Now that I think of it, this doesn't sound at all like the Biggie I've heard Gene and Barry talk about:^) Is there someone else named Biggie??

Marty that's so sad............did you take your meds today?

cool!

See, I told you guys...........

Just and upright. Men and women who meet on the level and part on the square... I absolutely love this site.

Way to go Sir!   :thumbsup:

Dang JC it looks like we will be feeding him all year at camp.  But it will be my honor Sir Biggun. Well done my friend.

My Hero..RC

Alright, I'll fess up. Wayne Hoffman may be the most generous friend a man could ever have in a lifetime. I have seen acts of kindness outta that man that I will never mention cause he would be upset if I did. I assure you there is no other person that is fair and generous to the bowhunting community as Wayne. If you are lucky enough to have him as a friend- God has blessed you. I know.

He will give you anything he has. Almost! Just don't ask for his MAYO!!!

"Action, above and beyond the call of duty"..Nice job Bigman...PR

Jeff, Kim's got a real soft spot for Biggster so she always packs enough in our kit to share with him should we be in the same camp...so if he doesn't show up feel free to bring a couple of friends over for viddles. Heck, she's even trying to perfect a sugar-free, diabetic friendly cookie for him!

I don't have much access or time to computers in the summer, but caught this one.  Biggie's the real deal.  The real BIG deal.

What a screwed up world we live in. Steve McNair is now being called a role model although he lay dead by his ho. Mike Jackson is immortalized although he was a habitual drug addict who was deep into debt but renting a 100,000 a month home ....enough about him.....Now Biggie gets credit for something Mike Mitten generous did.......my gosh....i guess if you hang around a couple of flashlight salesmen...you'll take credit anyway you can........certainly i am not by myself on this?

LOL.....Joey Joey Joey!!!!!  :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:

Joebuck !  how can you say that about such a fine southern gentleman !.....  
I knew you could'nt stay away from your beloved Tradgang and your cyber family      :biglaugh:

7 pages!!! my gosh........Hail, lets rent out the International Buffett in Atlanta and have a Hoffman Memorial Service....We could get the Grand Wizard, Larry the Cable Guy and those Flashlight Salemen and all sing a Ray Stevens song.........My goodness........You tell a friend to ship His book on His Dime and you get 7 pages of air time........give me a 80# Jerry Hill Longbow and let me dry fire it!!!!!!!!...........this is painful

Joe----What I figure is that after seven pages of the thick stuff here, he is doomed to walk around in a state of servitude that will last well into the hunting season.  He will be handing out tickets to hot treestands like they were going out of style.  You and I should have it made around September.  

Good job, Biggie.

Or the time, shortly after the Wensel Woodsmans came out, that I was looking for some and posted here.  About 3 days later, a small box showed up in my mailbox FULL of those wonderful heads.  Like 12 of them.  Short note said, "Biggie Hoffman."

QuoteOriginally posted by gregg dudley:
Joe----What I figure is that after seven pages of the thick stuff here, he is doomed to walk around in a state of servitude that will last well into the hunting season.  He will be handing out tickets to hot treestands like they were going out of style.  You and I should have it made around September.  

Good job, Biggie.

And here I was thinking I was the only one that had that figured out....dang you're smart!    :goldtooth:

Joey, Is it true you used to start barfights and leave thru the back door once the first punch was thrown? You are beautiful. Of all people, you have been the recipient of Biggie's love for years!!!! Let him have his moment of fame and glory- he needs it being so overshadowed by his flashlight selling buddies! I heard he's considering writing his own book- Best Southern Buffet's in the tri-state area. He'll probably send you a free copy!!!

QuoteOriginally posted by JC:
Jeff, Kim's got a real soft spot for Biggster so she always packs enough in our kit to share with him should we be in the same camp...so if he doesn't show up feel free to bring a couple of friends over for viddles. Heck, she's even trying to perfect a sugar-free, diabetic friendly cookie for him!

Use FOS (fructo something or other sacharide  - spelling?) Sweet, non-sugar all natural prebiotic that has great health benefits. Oh, and cookies made with it absolutely kick butt. I prefer them actually!

That's awesome

AWESOME!!!!!!!!! I love this place!

Well as usual, Joey has all of his facts wrong. I used to make fun of Mississippi boys until I met Thomas Burns. He carries that whole state on his back.

All you guys are too kind. Thanks for the good words. This thread even brought ol Dougie Dauler out of hiding :-)

I have been seeing Biggie in the water with that buck ever since i joined Trad Gang 3 months ago and i just noticed he is in his bloomers. Nice legs Biggie.  :biglaugh:    :biglaugh:    :biglaugh:

Says alot about the man! I wish him luck in Ohio!!!   :)    :)    :)    :)    :)

:goldtooth:

"Everything (inject Biggie here) is beautiful in its' own way
Like a starry summer night or a snow covered winter's day
Everybody's ( inject Biggie) is beautiful in their ( his ) own way"

Thats the chorus
Ok everybody join in..............

this is more painful than wiping fresh hot melt off a cedar shaft

Who are these flashlight guys?  South type hound hunters or south type CIA?  

I've personally seen Biggie become nasty, not to be negative on a mostly positive thread, but on a long ago south Texus hog hunt, when the cook, after a long, arduous, hot, un-airconditioned day of pig ambush, asked Biggie "Would you like a leg OR a thigh?"  Evidently, the word "or" ain't much used down south, because Biggie failed to grasp the fact that he was dealing with a northern cook of frugal generosity on a communal hunt and there wurnt a hole chikken on his plate, much less a part of one he usully left for last, but hey, eat or go hungry.

About that avatar, Wayne?

good people right there

Ya'll just don't know him....i've known him almost 20 years.....the things i've seen.......like the time he ran 2 little league teams out of a Dairy Queen in Ocala ,Fl......8 pages now.....man ole man.....

Prediction:

TENNESSEE 44
Ole MIss   7

and here I was believing all this good guy stuff.

You know Robhood23......your right.....Biggie is great guy. I'm reflecting back all the nice things he has done for me over the years.

1. Like the time i spent all day makin him a self bow and he snapped a cedar shaft right behind my back on the initial draw.

2. Or the time he cropdusted on me in the general meeting at the PBS banquet in St. Louis and and walked off while 30 strangers thought i was the most vile person they have known.

3. or countless times he would run off the road at wee hours in the morning on our way back from bowfishing just as i nodded off.

4. And the pine snake in my pillow . that was cute.

5. Oh my gosh..the routinely disappearance of little debbie snack cakes at the Paradise for 8 years!!

6. have ya'll ever seen a 300#+ man cut a monkey tail off the side of a boat?..you'll get therapy soon after!

i could go on and on....and i probably will but he DOES own one of my Swamprooter Bows...only people that have touched my heart get those.

Way to go Wayne.   :thumbsup:

"Now I see the light" said the flashlight salesman.

Yikes!   :scared:  

"2. Or the time he cropdusted on me in the general meeting at the PBS banquet in St. Louis and and walked off while 30 strangers thought i was the most vile person they have known."  

Remind me not to sit by Biggie during your seminar in Nashville, Joey!

Ok he's a great guy let's here some more ornery stories.  What do you mean cropdusted you?

I met Biggie in Texas last winter. A great guy!!!  :)

Biggie,
Thanks for leading by examle!!!

chris <><

Biggie you are my hero. "Cropdusting" is an art form.
Jack

Mo. Huntin, "crop dusting", same as "drive-by".

somebody pm'd me. thats what I thought.  Still working on my trad lingo.  NO more stories I guess.

Class and kindness! A very nice thing to do!

Are you reading all this Marty?

I sure am, Joey. He and I are going to Utah chasing Mule deer next month-he is gonna be hard to live with! It's to the point now where we can't go thru an airport without him being recognized and stopped for an autograph, once they find out how big a heart he has, well, we'll have to add extra travel days on both ends just for the fans!!!

Yea, I'd like to know how much "chasing" is going to be involved on that hunt!

:biglaugh:

Come on Thomas...........From that pic on the trail cam thread Biggie looks like he's lost a lot.... At least 8 to 10 quarter pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


  :bigsmyl:

Biggie keeps asking me to bring this back up to the top. TTT. Now get of my back!

:biglaugh:

Gene......you can pick on Joey but don't start on me or they'll be another thread on here about how mean I can be.....
I never threw away those letters you know, or the pictures.

:scared:    :eek:    :help:

C'mon Biggie, you know you want this thread to continue! Who wouldn't? You are one of the nicest guys ever according to this thread. Prove it this next week will ya? Let me have first choice on all stands and clean my mulie for me- whatya say, Mr. Big Heart?

Yea, agree to clean his mulie,, I think you would be pretty safe

Hogdancer, I notice there isn't a thread about your big heart? Maybe Joey will start one! Are you really saying I won't get one? Remember the "Punishment" Stand? I'll help you find it next time you come down!!!!

I love it.

PS- I hope Gene has an editor in his new book! "Now get of my back" Gene, Gene, Gene!

Hey maybe we can all edit his new book in a contest?

You guys are a riot    :thumbsup:

OK OK , uncle,   not the punishment stand !      :notworthy:

ttt We don't want anyone to forget!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll make you a deal Marty, I'll gut yours if you'll gut mine.

A "Big Hearted Guy" would gut both of them!

That's my point....there's only gonna be ONE of 'em.

Thanks guys.....we all need more laughter in this day and age......   :biglaugh:

Just curious.........will ya'll have internet coverage on the trip?