Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: vermonster13 on September 25, 2009, 07:05:00 AM

Title: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: vermonster13 on September 25, 2009, 07:05:00 AM
July 16th-18th will be the first Traditional only shoot in Pittsfield Vermont. Camping will be available as are hotels/motels, a couple (hopefully 3) 3D courses/field target set-up, and vendors I hope. We are shooting for 500 attendees for the first year and if it works out try to expand. I will post more details in the Trad Event Forum as they come along.

What would lure you to a Traditional only shoot in the Green Mountains?
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: Kevin L. on September 25, 2009, 07:52:00 AM
Some good fly fishing nearby would be a bonus.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: wingnut on September 25, 2009, 07:55:00 AM
Man you picked a bad date.  The IBO Trad worlds will be held on that date next year.

Mike
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: vermonster13 on September 25, 2009, 08:08:00 AM
Doesn't show on their website. I see the championship for the weekend before.

Lot's of good fly fishing nearby Kevin. This is the land of Orvis.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: misfire on September 25, 2009, 08:11:00 AM
Quote
What would lure you to a Traditional only shoot in the Green Mountains?
The Green Mountains themselves! Absolutely beautiful. I will be watching for this event.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: vermonster13 on September 25, 2009, 08:17:00 AM
We'll be right in the heart of them.

  (http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Bridge.jpg)
  (http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Field.jpg)
  (http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Field2.jpg)
  (http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Inn.jpg)
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: Frenchymanny on September 25, 2009, 08:27:00 AM
David,

I'm in!
We are much to much due to meet again.

F-Manny
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: BobW on September 25, 2009, 08:54:00 AM
This might tempt me, but it doesn't take much.  However, what is there in the surrounding area for non-archery types (for the family).  At that distance, I could make it a family trip, but need something for them.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: Shaun on September 25, 2009, 09:11:00 AM
Could you move those mountains a little closer to Iowa? Why is it that so TX, so CO and the Green mountains are all 1200 miles away? OK I just checked, its only 1120 miles, maybe I will go.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: Gaff on September 25, 2009, 09:21:00 AM
vendors!!!!!! the more the better!!!

i dont need anything other than the words "trad shoot" and i'll br there.. dave, if and when you get some fliers together could you send some to me? i'll pass them out at the shoots around here.
i should be able to get a bunch of people to go.

also, i found out that memorial day weekend 2010 bennington archers are havin a big 2 day trad shoot with camping and vendors. maybe you could come down and bring some of those black swans and set up a booth..

gaff
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: Mint on September 25, 2009, 09:35:00 AM
For the past 17 years my friends and i have made the trip from Long Island NY to ETAR and we have been going to the Baltimore Shoot since 1995. What I am looking for is at least 3 courses to break up the crowds and targets that are at least deer size in decent shape. It bothers me that we shoot a bunch of little targets at ETAR every year. I really like the Rinehart targets Baltimore puts out every year. I personally would have liked it if it was in June  or (August but not the 2nd weekend which is Muzzy Stump shoot) since ETAR is only a week or two away but i guess that might be black fly season for you? Another plus is some novelty shoots like aerial targets. A swap meet one night is a plus also. I think if you got a well known speaker like Fred Eichler that would bring the crowds too. Good luck!
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: vermonster13 on September 25, 2009, 10:20:00 AM
Bob there is an alpine slide 10 minutes away. Lots of fishing, canoeing, mountain biking, hiking and such in the area as well as my town is only 25 minutes away.

I'll do my best on targets. First year budget you know.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: gregg dudley on September 25, 2009, 10:39:00 AM
These are some of the things that people ask me about:

List of nearby amenities, resources, attractions for non-shooting family members and for extention of travel/vacation.

Food Vendor(s) on site.

Are pets permitted?  An amazing number of people travel with pets and we have been limited by the fact that the forestry service has a strict no pets policy.

Are there electrical hookups for campers/rvs?  How far to a place that has them?

Can you have a campfire?  

Is the course in the shade?  Most people want to shoot a woods course rather than stand in the sun and shoot targets on the edge of the woods.

I will think of some more later.

Good luck.  It looks like a beautiful piece of property.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: dakota tim on September 25, 2009, 10:39:00 AM
Have some interesting guests like well known author Dick Loudon and his wife, Joanna.


   :smileystooges:
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: vermonster13 on September 25, 2009, 10:41:00 AM
We have a couple miles of trails to use that are forested and that's where the 3D will be located. Everything else is a work in progress. I figure guys will help me avoid leaving out important stuff that may not be important to me.    ;)

Really appreciate all the input.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: ishiwannabe on September 25, 2009, 10:49:00 AM
Any plan for classes? I know Im constantly looking for more info as far as traditional shooting and hunting...string making....knap ins...leatherworking. Just an idea...

I know at the muzzy, there is "downtime" between rounds.

Otherwise Im sure you will knock em dead. Doing a raffle? It could help with covering some of the costs of throwing this thing.

Sounds like a very cool thing to me. I would go in a heartbeat.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: Maxflight on September 25, 2009, 12:42:00 PM
Wow, 500 attendees for the first time? I wish you lots of luck. Like Wingnut said you will be going against the 2nd annual IBO Traditional Worlds (and they didn't even draw half of the number you are hoping for). You will not only compete for shooters but also the bigger known vendors.

Again, not trying to rain on your parade because if it wasn't a conflict I could see myself heading to Vermont next summer. But after experiencing the class act of the 1st IBO Traditional Worlds there is no way I will not be there next year, no matter where it's held.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: George D. Stout on September 25, 2009, 01:08:00 PM
ETAR is successful because it's a fun, and very relaxing shoot.  No score cards to intimidate anyone and slow down shooting.  They started with 200 attendees in 1989 so 500 isn't out of the question.  As I recall there were just twelve vendors at the first one.   Attendance now at ETAR is in the multi-thousands, with about 3000+ registered shooters, last count I had.

The have a kids area...aerial shooting..balloons.
They also have 8 different ranges; of course they didn't start with that many, but grew into it.  

It needs to be a place to visit, share campfires and stories; a seminar or two don't hurt but aren't all that important in the grand scheme of things.  Make it fun and make it accessable, and of course, affordable.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: vermonster13 on September 25, 2009, 02:17:00 PM
Fun is job one. Kids range is a perquisite(Jake would never forgive me), score cards have no place here. You want a friendly competition with the guys/gals you shoot with that's fine. I envision a chance for a bunch of like minded shooters to get together and make some memories.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: celticknot on September 25, 2009, 02:33:00 PM
Showers are a big plus. I also like course's with walk through targets instead of in and out shots. Consessions a deffinite, good vendors, water source, more hunting shots than crazy ones, some 3D targets on your practice range, maybe aerials, and novelties. Put water and pop in a cooler mid way through how ever many course's you have and leave a can to put money in, make sure you past how much it is and leave extra change in the can so people can make change. Thats just my 2 cents.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: M60gunner on September 25, 2009, 02:38:00 PM
This may sound stupid but make sure you have plenty of Porta-Potties. It also helps to have a few that are for ladies only. Also if the crowd is big and your having a multi-day shoot get them pumped each day. As men we tend to think of targets, course layout, etc. but the ladies seem to ask about creature comforts first.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: SteveB on September 25, 2009, 02:46:00 PM
Food, comforts and kids.
Mix of both fun and competitve courses and events.

The competitive rounds are optional and in no way take from those choosing not to participate or change the spirit.

Competing with the Trad Worlds for shooters and venders will only hurt both.

Steve
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: KSdan on September 25, 2009, 08:33:00 PM
My same ol' rant. . . get rid of the blasted stakes that a guy has to touch!  It makes absolutely no sense to contortion your body just for the stake.  I like to shoot as if I were taking a real hunting shot (seems to be the point of 3-Ds).  

Why not do it like golf, basketball free-throws, baseball, or any gun competition. Have a hoop or something staked on the ground that a guy/gal has to have one foot in, while they can move it a few inches either way to set their feet right for the shot.  It amazes me how this 3-D developed and the sheep continue to follow- there is no other sport in the world that makes you "touch the stake."

And please no one needs to tell me its about shooting through a "hole" in the brush.  I agree that is what makes the 3-Ds fun and realistic.  But what I am proposing does not take away that aspect.  Obviously if there is only one hole to shoot through, every one will need to use it while allowing their own proper shooting stance.  

My never ending 2C rant.  "Yes" I am still smiling though. . . bigger issues in the world, but you did ask for input!   :bigsmyl:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: horatio1226 on September 25, 2009, 08:38:00 PM
It sounds great to me Dave! I could see me and my 3 boys campin' and shootin' in Vermont. The farm is simply gorgeous. Good luck!
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: vermonster13 on September 25, 2009, 09:11:00 PM
If anyone would like to do some classes, contact me and we'll see what we can set-up.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: vermonster13 on September 25, 2009, 09:11:00 PM
Jeremy and or Tippet doing some knife making would be a sweet offering I would think.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: gordie on September 25, 2009, 09:30:00 PM
how about black swan demo bows,

sure would like to shoot that recurve.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: dragon rider on September 25, 2009, 09:36:00 PM
Looks like it could really be great.  

For me the things that make a shoot fun, other than the obvious - namely wandering through the woods shooting - are well laid out courses - meaning among other things that there's some possibility of finding an arrow that missed the target, enough vendors to make touring their area interesting (Baltimore comes to mind in that regard), food and drinks for lunch at least and, as someone mentioned, Porta Johns that are in sufficient supply and are kept clean enough that they don't look/smell like they should be dusted lightly with napalm before entering.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: leatherneck on September 25, 2009, 09:44:00 PM
Man Dave, those dates are real bad for folks this way. Jamboree in the hills is that week and it attracts over 100,000 people. Alot of them are from the North East. I usually work it every year doing security. I'll see what I can do cause I'd love to come! My wife and kids would love it as well.
Anyhow, regardless of if we make it or not, we would like to donate one new deer 3d target compliments of "Camp Bastard". Long story, but thats our camp name. I'll shoot you a PM and we'll go over the details.
A great thing your doing Dave.

Mike
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: vermonster13 on September 25, 2009, 09:59:00 PM
The date isn't set in stone quite yet.

Here are a few ideas to mix it up. Bowhunter4life sent me this PM and I was thinking of the same.

"I was at a shoot once where they had an "Ironman" course. There was a string strung through the woods with a green ribbon and a red ribbon tied on it where each target was hidden. And when I say hidden, I mean hidden. You can go forward along the line, but you can't back up and you can only shoot between the green and red ribbons. Almost makes you hunt for the target, then once spotted you have to take your chances you may get a better shot down the line or take the shot you are presented with at that time. I think there was 10 or so targets with a bonus target put out there. The bonus target happened to be a squirrel target that the wolf was looking at, so kind of a 2 for one if you saw it... But if you didn't you did when you went to get your arrow for the wolf...

It was a really fun shoot, and I think it was an "extra" to the regular shoot. Pay for your chance (and each person only gets one chance) to go through, read and sign the rules, and go through on the honor system. It was a blast! Sometimes you are rewarded for going forward on the line, and sometimes you don't have a shot at all."

Another was a "Green Arrow Shoot Off" kind of a horse for bows. You random draw to folks and they do a shoot off Horse style and you keep going through the brackets until a "Champion" is named.

An Eagle Eye for only woody arrows and another for any arrow but with broadheads.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: adeeden on September 26, 2009, 09:12:00 AM
Vermonster13,
              The rope stake is alot of fun one of the courses I used to shoot in Indiana used to put several of those out every month! Sometimes you pass the hole other times you shoot the wrong hole for the best shot but either way you couldn't help smiling about it.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: vermonster13 on September 26, 2009, 07:05:00 PM
Anyone else have anything to add?
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: frank bullitt on September 26, 2009, 08:17:00 PM
Dave, like anything in this world, you can't satisfy everyone! Come-up with another month of the year,vendors needs, shooters needs, your needs, get the point?

 I don't think you have to ask, you know what people want! And that's what counts. Good people will come, and that's all that's necessary!

  I hope I can come, cause it will be great! Good shootin, Steve
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: Stiks-n-Strings on September 26, 2009, 09:58:00 PM
I used to shoot some 3-D with a training wheel bow but now that I'm all trained up and shooting real bows I've been looking to get to some trad shoots and if the dates are right I'll be there.
Now you you just need another 450 or so.
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: VTer on September 27, 2009, 07:49:00 AM
Three days of 65 degree temps, much cooler at night, low humidity and sunshine, with cloud cover while I'm shooting aerials so the sun dosn't get in my eyes.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Building a great Traditional Shoot, suggestions please.
Post by: gsdmikko on September 27, 2009, 09:14:00 AM
tupper lake does the rope shot..alot of fun!!
also a marble drop shot..