Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: IndianaBowman on January 03, 2010, 11:14:00 AM

Title: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: IndianaBowman on January 03, 2010, 11:14:00 AM
"Bunny, bunny!" Shawn Leonard let's out the tell tale cry after "jumping" a large multiflora rose brush pile and sending the cottontail rabbit fleeing.  The "bunny" cry continues down the line of traditional bowhunters until the bunny either gets away or the jubilant cry of "I got him" rings out.  

The above scenario repeats itself dozens of times over the course of the annual Joan Leonard Memorial Bunny Hunt (JLMBH) weekend held in late February.  2009 marked the 7th consecutive year Shawn and his family has hosted the event. 2009 had 87 traditional bowhunters participating from 6 states including 19 youth bowhunters. The event is now carried out as a benefit hunt for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The hunt is announced via the online chat group of TradGang.com and attendees must be TradGang registered.

The bunny hunt did not begin as the Joan Leonard Memorial Bunny Hunt, in fact it wasn't until the 3rd year that it gained its name. It actually began due to the unfortunate luck of Curt Cabrera, one of the inaugural hunters. Don Haines of Western New York had been hosting a bunny hunt and Curt and Shawn had attended and were looking forward to attending again in 2003. However, a stray rifle bullet by a young hunter pierced Curt's upper leg incapacitating him for quite some time. He just couldn't make the bunny hunt and was feeling dejected. His good friend Shawn simply said, "we'll just hold our own when you're ready"! It took virtually all year for Curt to heal, but the first annual Northern New York bunny hunt was scheduled for the last weekend of the season. Word was spread via TradGang and 17 hard core traditionalist showed up for the event. As part of the requirement for attending, Shawn asked for people to bring a gift to be given away to the successful shooter who challenged the "steel rabbit". The "steel rabbit" is exactly as it sounds. It is a hole cut in ΒΌ" steel and confident archers are sat down on a bale of hay at about 15 yards and asked to shoot through the hole and pop a balloon. Pop the balloon and you win! Miss and you get a shattered arrow!  The people who showed up the first year brought such nice stuff that Shawn's mother, Joan, said "you can't give that nice stuff away for shooting through a hole".  Shawn agreed and a raffle was set up. The traditional archers also thought the stuff was nice and $350 - $400 was raised from the raffle. Shawn didn't know what to do with the money, as the hunt was not held for profit, but his mother Joan didn't hesitate and simply said "give it to the kids at St. Jude".  The first year was such a fun time and success Shawn and his family decided to host it again in 2004. In 2004 more traditional archers showed up and even more money was raised, over $1,100.  Plans were being made by Shawn for 2005 when tragedy struck and Shawn's mother passed away. Not to be deterred by misfortune, Shawn, his father Alfred (Jake), his wife Cindy, and his daughters Nicole, Allison, and Heather all vowed to continue the bunny hunt tradition.  There was a significant change for 2005. The hunt would now be held in tribute to his mother and would from that point forward be known as the Joan Leonard Memorial Bunny Hunt (JLMBH). The JLMBH would continue to be held as a St. Jude Children's Research Hospital benefit event.

The 2005 hunt was a huge success as was the 2006, 2007, and 2008.  The 2009 hunt was the biggest ever and the traditional archers rose over $5,300 for St. Jude.  The total contribution to St. Jude has exceeded $10,000!  Not bad for a bunch of traditional archers who are just looking for any reason to get together for fun and hunting.

The JLMBH is a pretty special event and some amazing friendships have been forged by the annual hunt. What makes it even more stunning is that Shawn hosts the event out of his personal home and at considerable personal expense.  We all know this wouldn't even be a possibility if it weren't for a very understanding wife and family.  Shawn's wife Cindy and his daughters are remarkable! They work tirelessly for weeks prior to the hunt and during the 3 day event (Friday evening until Sunday evening) they are non-stop in setting up and taking down food for the army of hunters.  The JLMBH has gotten so large now that it takes a lot of extra hands just to make the event run smoothly. Fortunately, there is a core group of hunters that willingly jump in and help (Curt, Jamie, Izzy, David, and many more).  To make the event even more memorable is that the rabbit hunting is excellent! The hearty hunters have braved temperatures well below zero, snow so deep you sometimes had to crawl, rain, wind, and briar thickets so dense that you can fall down and not hit the ground. As Shawn likes to say, "after a good rabbit push, if you ain't bleeding you ain't hunting right"! Despite all these obstacles the JLMBH archers have been able to continuously improve on their take of rabbits. The first year 2 rabbits succumbed to well placed arrows and the tally has continued to grow with 19 being made into meat in 2009. Not bad for a bunch of yahoos running around with nothing more than a stickbow and arrows.

Who knows how this hunt will evolve in the future. It is getting so big that some things will inevitably change. Right now it is open to anyone who wants to come. Based on the recent growth and success it is just a matter of time before it outgrows Shawn's house, hunting grounds, and his family's ability to support it.  However, for now 2010 is being planned and Shawn, Cindy, their daughters and a few good men are already working to hold the JLMBH to benefit "the kids at St. Jude".   I'm sure Joan Leonard looks down on her family during that special weekend in February and feels a great sense of pride!

Shawn, well done my friend, well done!


This story is a result of an interview I did with Shawn after last year's phenomenal hunt. We all owe Shawn, Curt, and many others a great thanks for all they do to make this get together happen. As a former employee who worked in Biomedical Research, for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, I can assure you the money is going to a great cause!
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: Huntrdfk on January 03, 2010, 11:24:00 AM
I don't know that anyone, anywhere could say it better than that Terry.......it is a one of a kind event.  Shawn and his family deserve special kudos, for they truly are special people.......


David
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: Izzy on January 03, 2010, 11:36:00 AM
Awesome Terry just awesome.A tribute to a phenominal family.
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: mcgroundstalker on January 03, 2010, 12:00:00 PM
Well Done Terry!  :thumbsup:  

... mike ...
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: ishiwannabe on January 03, 2010, 12:24:00 PM
Outstanding Terry...you caught it all so well.
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: Dave Bulla on January 03, 2010, 12:28:00 PM
Ya know, I've been on this site for a lot of years and I remember the hunt being talked about each year but honestly, I never really knew the whole story.  

Thank you for sharing Terry and thank you Shawn for your hospitality and generosity!!!!
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: George D. Stout on January 03, 2010, 12:33:00 PM
:thumbsup:        :campfire:
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: rastaman on January 03, 2010, 12:35:00 PM
Terry, thanks for sharing that info.  I, too, was ignorant of the origins, and now i know.  Awesome stuff guys and gals!
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: spotteddog on January 03, 2010, 01:54:00 PM
Thanks Terry for the origins alway wondered how it got its name
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: sleepyhollow on January 03, 2010, 02:24:00 PM
:clapper:    :clapper:
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: Curtis Haden on January 03, 2010, 02:28:00 PM
Nice history...Thanks!!!  I'd love to be able to attend some day.

quote:
Originally posted by George D. Stout:
 :saywhat:
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: bowhunterfrompast on January 03, 2010, 02:54:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Dave Bulla:
Ya know, I've been on this site for a lot of years and I remember the hunt being talked about each year but honestly, I never really knew the whole story.  

Terry...thanks for sharing

Shawn and the bunny gang    :clapper:
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: Gaff on January 03, 2010, 03:59:00 PM
why hasnt this hunt been featured in trad. bowhunter mag?????  :confused:    :confused:  

i think it would make a great story.. and make for some damn good winter reading!! terry, curt, chris, we need one of you to spin the web for everyone to enjoy!!

i cant write, but i'll be happy to pose for pics and look like i know what im doin!!  :smileystooges:  

gaff
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: IndianaBowman on January 03, 2010, 06:42:00 PM
Gaff, I hear you!  Let's leave this one for Curt. He is definitely one of the pros of prose! : )
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: Big Ed on January 03, 2010, 08:17:00 PM
Well said Terry, I hope not to miss any of the future hunts. Big Ed
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: homer on January 03, 2010, 08:21:00 PM
A #1 terry well said !!!!  :notworthy:
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on January 03, 2010, 08:31:00 PM
Great history!  Hope to be a part of it this year.  If I'm not mistaken you have to be a member of TG to attend the hunt. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks for the background, If needed I can put together an article and send it in. I haven't had anything published before but was a Journalism Major for several years before I changed majors to Public Relations.
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: Tdog on January 03, 2010, 08:33:00 PM
Just nice to be a part of it..Good job Terry..
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: wihill on January 03, 2010, 10:41:00 PM
I always wondered the history of the event, now I wish I was closer so I could participate!
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: IndianaBowman on January 04, 2010, 07:51:00 AM
Cyclic-Rivers, the hunt was started and is definitely mostly TradGang members, but you would have to ask Shawn the specific question.  I seriously doubt there has ever been a traditional archer turned away!
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: IndianaBowman on January 05, 2010, 09:02:00 AM
Shawn, are guests allowed that are not TradGang members or do they have to be registered.
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: Huntrdfk@Work on January 05, 2010, 09:53:00 AM
Terry, it has always been registered Trad Gang members, though no one formally checks......with the title of this years thread I'm not sure if that applies.......


David
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: ishiwannabe on January 05, 2010, 01:59:00 PM
I may be bringing a buddy this year, I had him register. He will be set of fire for trad like I was after just one JLMBH.  :D
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: DesertDude on January 05, 2010, 04:38:00 PM
Thank you for the Story. Thanks to all who make it happen.
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: IndianaBowman on January 09, 2010, 02:16:00 PM
TTT for those who may have missed this great story of a great event!
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: JUST-DOO-IT on January 09, 2010, 04:55:00 PM
Thanks for the history lesson. Such a wonderful story and worth while cause.  I would love to attend one year.
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: Big Ed on January 09, 2010, 09:24:00 PM
ttt
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: jcar315 on January 10, 2010, 12:36:00 AM
Thanks for sharing the story!!!
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: hayslope on January 10, 2010, 11:48:00 AM
Great history (bunnies especially take notice)......I have to get motivated to help out and participate in the future.

St. Judes is certainly worthy of all our efforts.  It gives me a warm feeling to see this gathering supporting that great cause.  I proudly trace my "donations" back to 1972 (a pint of blood in Memphis). Donate if you can.
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on January 13, 2010, 10:15:00 PM
TTT

Thought a reminder would help.

OHHHHHHHHH YeaHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Lets hear it for the Kids!!!!!
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on January 14, 2010, 10:57:00 AM
Keepin it up!
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: Wapiti Chaser on January 14, 2010, 08:09:00 PM
This was Bunny Hunt number one with Don Haingray. It was the first time I met any other Trad Gangers. I remember Curt had been shot just that fall and could hardly walk. All of a sudden a rabbit ran down a hedgerow and Curt took off running after it !! It was the coldest day I have ever hunted. The fuel linkage froze on my truck and I had to shift into neutral(automatic tranny) at stop signs to stop !! Before the hunt was even over Shawn was planning a hunt at his house. Alot of memeories have been made in the years since.


   (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/1966kodiak/firstbunnyhunt.jpg)
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: Huntrdfk on January 14, 2010, 08:28:00 PM
Bob I remember the thread from that first hunt and thinking how cool it looked, it moved to Shawn's the following year and I haven't missed one since.  The friendships that have grown from this are hard to explain to people that have never been.........but they are friendships we are so lucky to have......


David
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: Wapiti Chaser on January 15, 2010, 10:21:00 PM
David,

I agree ! It feels like a big family. Heck I am closer to some people I have met on Trad Gang than my relatives !
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: mcgroundstalker on January 16, 2010, 07:07:00 AM
Ya Got That Right!

... mike ...
Title: Re: The Story Behind JLMBH
Post by: swampbuck on January 16, 2010, 09:43:00 AM
Yea it sure was cold that day but I do remeber Shawn and I sweating as we bounced pile's that day.Funny how small a world it can be Bob lives about 10 min,s from me and we met via the web

oooooooooooooooh yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Thanks for putting up that pic Bob seams like a long time ago