Well who is back from Compton and what was your highlight of the trip? Pictures would be nice to. Thanks Flint
Well, my highlight was beating Tony Carpenter from Wisconsin for the 2nd year in a row in our friendly competetion. Or maybe, shooting with Ron LeClair, Tom Parsons, Richard Dooley, and Mike Anderson. No, wait... shooting the CariBow bows and Stalker recurves. Maybe it was winning the wine, sausage, and cheese raffle prize from JPE. Helping with the kids seminar/shoot? It was all fun!
It was my first trip. I just had fun shooting and breaking arrows with my youngest son for two days. Ryan's tracking dog seminar was very good also.
My nine year old chipped in to buy his first
Recurve (a bear cub) from big Jim and we shot his first 3-d coarse and he did really well.it was a great event and we really hope to camp here next year.
My highlight was meeting guy's at the greet and meet
and shooting the course with Don and his wife, Mo and his girlfriend (nice kids), Bryce , brian (did you get your arrow out of that tree? lol) and my partner of the day John. Just a nice bunch of people who I am blessed to have met. Thanks everyone.
Terry
Passed through on Friday on a trip back to KS from MI. Hung out with Jim Jones (Firefly bows) and a few other friends. Wonderful event, vendors etc.
Disappointed I only had a few hours there. . . this is definitely something I would plan for as a future essential weekend event.
Dan in KS
It was my first trip up there, i am definitly going back. Lots of great vendors and bowmakers. I thought the courses were nice.
My highlight was shooting with my wife and daughter yesterday evening. We pretty much had the course to ourselves because it was during dinner time. It was a nice, quiet time with my family.
It was my first time there so it was all a highlight.
I started 8at 8 on Friday and went till after 5. Sat down about 15 minutes all day. Shot all the courses at least twice each. Found a lot of Tradgange members and other that I didn't know. I lost track of all the names. I was shooting on my own, but would just jump around and catch up and find someone to shoot with each time. Shot with some local Kzoo guys a few times here and there when I found them. Shot some great bows. Found I could shoot a PCH low grip like nothing I have had in my hand yet when I took one out and shot the green course. It wasn't even set up right for me and my arrows were kind of week, but boy did it shoot. No missed shots with a bow I never shot before and most were good solid hits; need a part time job now. Shoot a lot of foam stuff I didn't even know where to shoot it at. Can't shoot off a horse very well. All that clay target shooting played off when I managed two areal hits in a row with one more graze all on my third round when I got used to the flu flu speed. That was too much fun!
The wife and kids did the whole day running around having a good time with no complaints even with the heat. The kids didn't want to leave because they had so much fun. They made me shoot two more rounds on the way to the truck so they could see more of the animals on the course. They gave great reviews of the other kids there. Most all were vender children and everyone got along fine. I heard a lot about the soccer ball in the face and bloody nose. That was the big excitement of the playground; I have heard about that about 10 times now. The kids didn't want to go home, but we dragged them off so we could get out on the hwy just as the rain started. We raced home with the storm on our heals. Everyone got some dinner, drank lots of water, and collapse in a deep sleep in the AC.
Saturday I got back about 8 for more fun after doctoring up a couple blisters I earned from the 9 hours of walking in some not so great tennis shoes from the day before, and this time with some decent light weight hunting boots. I meet up with a couple Tradgange members I had never meet before in the parking lot, and we off shooting before long. More fun trying bows and meeting more people. I ran into Jim Jones of Firefly bows. I had talked to him, but never in person. Great guy for sure! I found Kentucky TJ in the main vender tent and dragged him all over the place for a few hours. Talked the pour guys ear off; I don't get out much. I shot his Centaur so now I fore sure need a part time job. We ran into Daniel Bergsma, boone the hunter. Boy is he tall. I have to go back and look at the big buck he shot last year. Those tines are a lot longer than I though. Very nice guy to meet. I got us to the Tradgange meeting late because I was trying to get a Shrew from Mr. LaClaire to try out, which I did, so make that a second full time job. I also had us going to the wrong area when we first got started looking for everyone. We did manage to get there just after the group photo, and meet a lot of people including Arwin and his daughter, Oliver Stacy and a lot more I can't recall right off without working up a list.
Somewhere along the way we shot more bows and then ran into Skyler and his friend, maybe Mason or Matt, in the vender tent. I recognized Skyler right off, but missed his friends name a little. It took a second to tune my northern ears a hair. Very nice young men. Skyler's friend got a new Shrew. I wanted to shoot it, but kept my mouth shout. He was excited for sure. Sounded real nice. Looking forward to more stories with those guys in them and some pic's of that Shrew.
Well I dragged Kentucky TJ around some more and managed to talk his other ear off in the process. He was saved when I had to hit the road home about 1:30 pm to the family to catch up with them and make the rounds of some family birthday parties and graduation parties. I should have probably bought the guy lunch for his trouble, but I was having too much fun to think about lunch. Maybe next time.
I managed to not have to hunt for any of my arrows. I pulled a few out of the mud from low shots, and I did side swipe that tree next to the ram on the blue course and snap an arrow in half. Other than that and a low shot into a log, which I got out, I did ok. I can't wait until next year. I am sure I left out a whole lot of people and memories that will pop into my head as the days pass. I am still resting up after too much fun. I only wish I had more time to stay.
I packed around a camera for most of two days and never thought to take it out and shoot pic's. I hope someone did. Next year I will. The first time shooting 3D and being with so many great people was just too much fun to think of getting the camera out.
Hmmmmmmmm......the "highlight"......you ask ???
For me, it was the meet and greet also as well as talking with all the people that I ran into. It was a whirlwind tour and the two days were over much to quickly. My wife and I met a bunch of GREAT people and I'm not even going to attempt to name them all, due to my poor memory.
Bryan Horner, Terry Folts, Bryce Olson, Mo and his girlfriend Lillian.......sorry, I can't remember their last names, and another fine longbow shooting gentleman and myself shot some courses together after the group photo of the Trad-Gangers. Thanks to my lovely wife of 30 years we have LOTS of pictures for me to go through and I will post them later.
Friday was spent shooting every different bow that I could get my hands on and there were plenty of bowyers represented there. I did have one STANDOUT bow for me, and Mr. South Cox can expect an order in the very near future. Bryan and I would go to a seperate vendor and meet back out at the target bags and shoot them both, return them and get something else to try. We all enjoyed the very fine chilli supper on Friday evening and called it a day.
Saturday was another whirlwind day and we arrived by 8am again.......warmed up our shooting muscles and prepared to shoot till our arms fell off. I believe that there were 38 people that actually signed up at the Trad-Gang meeting but it sure looks like more than that in the pictures. Our group shot two of the courses together and it was an absolutely FANTASTIC time getting to know some "like minded" people. My hats are off to each and every one of the Comptons folks that make this shoot possible every year. It is a very well run event and I will be returning in the future.
Look for a few pictures of the Trad-Gangers that were represented there shortly. I'll post more later.......I'm plumb tuckered out this evening.
Stay tuned for MORE..........
Winterhawk1960
Shooting with the family, the kids shoot (which is why I missed the Tradgang get together), and picking up my new Northern Mist LB that someone was trying to buy when I walked up!! It is always nice meeting with all the folks that I see only at shoots as well. Great time.
Good times and Great people. Fiday night was very eventfull, Saturday was probably the best day we have had this whole year, and I just can't resist the Aerial Targets. I was there till 0100 hrs having a ball, and the best part was having all the kids there that late having just as much fun as myself. I met tons of new people while sitting in the Michigan Longbow Association booth next to the Turkey Shoot, Every camp I visited had a trully awesome feast layed before their guests. Heck, just our camp alone had deep fried elk steaks, elk burgers, bratwurst, dutch oven ribs, fire cooked chicken, jumbaliya, taco salad, summer sausage, deep fried asparagus, and the best marinated venison steaks I have ever tasted.
I guess you could say just being there was the highlight. I'm glad I didn't miss it.
Man do I hate to pack up and leave. It goes by so fast every year. Guess its the GLLI and Elm Hall.
Well where to start.........
I loved it all: I have got to say being around so many wonderful people was the most fantastic part of it.
I spent a bunch of my time in the woods, shooting and had the pleasure of shooting with several different groups of people. It was so cool that you could just take off and go and have the opportunity to shoot with people you have never met in your life. By the time you were done shooting, it felt like you were old friends.
Terry...., I never did get that arrow back LOL.. I would say it broke when someone tried to pull it out. I guess that is what I get for shooting at a big skeeeeter and looking at the tree behind it LOL.
I have also got to give a big thanks to Don and his wife for letting me come along with them.
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: Thank you both so much!!!!!
Here is also a picture of a fellow tradganger Canadian Idle, shooting at Mongo.
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I had the pleasure of shooting with him and two other Canadian gentlemen. They had me laughing so hard I thought would wet my pants.
More to come!!!!!
I had two hghlights:
1.) Sitting inside our camp canopy and watching David Stinson (Hunt it) and Mel Riley (Irish) hanging on to the front wall in the face of 70 mile an hour winds,
2.) and making an Andersen Forge Damascus Knife trade with Chad Holm of Holm-Made Traditional Bows for one of his beautiful take-down long bows.
Other than that, I was once again thrilled to be surrounded by such a fantastic hoard of people gathered together for some serious fun
First I must say thanks to Tracey and Dave Balowski of St. Joe River Bows for a fantastic weekend! You are family. :cool: Casey and I had fun hanging with you all weekend, it was a much needed vacation!
I have to post some pics of my new Helle knife they gave me. The handle is the spalted maple woods that are in my bows riser. This knife is gorgeous!!
Thanks to the folks at Comptons for putting on a great event this year. Everything came together perfect. :thumbsup:
We got a ton of shooting in and didn't stay away from the foam very long. I got in some fun shooting with Josh Sowerby(Oliverstacey). He slipped me a nice D-97 string for Vader, it really adds some performance to my bow. Josh has some pics floating around that MUST BE POSTED....Josh! :goldtooth: We were having fun.
My mom surprised me on Saturday, which was awesome, I love spending time with her. She's been shooting alot and it showed on the course. Moms gonna put deer in the freezer this year!
Rick Marshall(Swietsrick) and his wife Connie made it out. They are great friends and fun to be with. Ricks new St. Joe longbow is beautiful and shoots so smooth. I imagine it won't be long before we see some Highlights pic from him.
I got to see MANY long time friends and felt so fortunate. I just wish there was more time to hang out with everyone I saw. ;)
Well I messed up so I might as well put a pic in here........ This is a what the sky looked like Friday morning just down the road from the shoot.
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I would also love to have this baby in my back yard.
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Shooting with my 14 yr old daughter, and spending time with some "old" friends.
Watching my daughter talk to Ed Scott about making bows and getting a "hunting" weight bow for her from Ed.
Meeting up with another true gentlemen in our sport David Miller and my daughter just sitting captivated by his stories and tips on hunting and shooting.
Just happy my 14 yr old still wants to shoot and be seen with Dad, and wants to learn and do more archery.
QuoteOriginally posted by Arwin:
We got a ton of shooting in and didn't stay away from the foam very long. I got in some fun shooting with Josh Sowerby(Oliverstacey). He slipped me a nice D-97 string for Vader, it really adds some performance to my bow. Josh has some pics floating around that MUST BE POSTED....Josh! :goldtooth: We were having fun.
Meeting several fellow TG members for the first time and a few for a second and third. Many thanks to Joe "Whip" Lasch for letting me sell some strings at his booth.
I had a lot of fun shooting with Arwin and his daughter...here are some of the photos.
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Arwin on his mighty steed:
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Some of the people waiting and talking on one of the courses:
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Nice row of bows:
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I really had a lot of fun but not enough time to take it all in as usual, maybe next year I can stay the night.
Josh
My list of highlights is long, but the main one would be meeting and then getting to know Thump (Luke Carribbia) and his kids. Our daughters corresponded a bit thru cyberspace before the show, and soon after meeting on Saturday, they seemed like they had known each other for a long time. My little girl has been a bit blue since we left. A sure sign of a heartfelt, good time.
Luke`s son impressed me greatly with his knowledge of the local plant variety. A valuable skill to a hunter is knowing the vegetation, and this young fella is a walking encyclopedia. After twenty years of trying, most of them look the same to me, so this skill is greatly respected by me.
Shooting a course with them, it made me realize how much I missed wood arrows. I switched to carbon a while back, and kidded myself that the carbon arrow was as quiet as wood coming from a bow.
As for Luke, a "gentlemen woodsman" is a good way to describe him. Stories of the Ohio bucks he chases got me daydreaming. A few minutes with his children is proof that he is a "traditional father", as well as a traditional bowhunter! :thumbsup: Absolutely top of the line! Great to meet you Luke!!! See you next year.
There are more highlights I`d like to mention, but for now, I`m gonna be late for work!
Two highlights; 1 meeting all the tradgangers that came thru our booth. 2 the stoms ending and nobody getting hurt.
Great weekend (Except the storm) thanks to everyone That stopped by and introduced themselves and hope everyone made it home safe. We are looking forward to 2011 already
For me watching my son hit his 1st Aerial was as good as it gets! Then watching him hit about 8 more was pretty cool as well!!!!
The highlight for me this year was seeing the look on Mason Shelton's face when he first saw the new Shrew Classic Hunter that his Dad Jimmy had ordered for him without his knowledge.
The other highlight was winning the chili contest for the 3rd time.
Oh yeah, and I am jealous of my 5 yr old daughter's shooting form! She is flying solo now and shooting great! So much fun to watch. The funniest is my 2 yr old boy that says "I do it myself" and launches an arrow with all he's got down range. It is tough to keep them rounded up but worth every second. I hope I have a few pictures to post.
The highlight of weekend is always the same, good time spent with great friends. I shared camp with Irish, Kbaknife, Mr.& Mrs. Hormoan and grandson - woodchip. Fantastic time. It was a little windy Friday night in the hundred acre woods but we survived again!
This was my first ever Compton experience as well and definitely won't be the last (Lord willing). Had a great time shooting around with Extrema312. He was on a time limit and was on a mission. We shot around a couple times and really was nice to get to know him a little and thanks for letting me shoot the Moab. As Todd said he made us miss the Trad gang photo by 10 minutes due to his Shrewitis, so I may have to photoshop he and I like KilRoys in the background. Hahaha.
I then met Horner (Bryan) at the clay pidgeon shoot and off he and I went up to the parking lot to grab some bows. He and I hit it off just like we had known each other all our lives. We then went to meet Winterhawk1960 and his wife (super people) and grabbed some of his bows and headed to the range. I'd hate to say how much money we were totting around at that point. We proceeded to shoot everything and were having a wonderful time getting to know each other when I got the call. My wife and daughter were at the hotel and the power had gone out. They didn't have a TV and they closed the pool. I had the car and my day was cut short when they couldn't take it any longer. Sorry I had to run off guys.
As Todd says we were walking through the tent and meet Skyler and his bud. That is one young man that is way beyond his years. Great to finally meet you Skyler and hopefully you and your Dad can make it up to bowfish with LoweBow and I.
Also met and enjoyed talking to Oliverstacy (Josh) and Daniel Bergsma wished we had more time to chat, maybe next year. My personal highlight although he had no idea who I was, was shaking Mr. Ron LaClair's hand. He's one of these larger than life men you look at and can just see all the stories and experiences of life in his face.
The Compton folks do an absolutely wonderful job with that massive undertaking and I would like to thank you guys. Whoever says you northern guys don't know how to treat folks has never been there.
After years of shooting and hunting together, it was very special to see my wife decide to select and order her a new bow without any real input from me. She'd try a bow and make several knowledgeable comments about what she liked or didn't like about its performance or feel. I guess we are truly partners in this too now, and I like it!
BTW. Thanks Jerry. She is really looking forward to that Super Ghost recurve!!!
I think another highlight was watching the Compton board members and others busting hump to keep the seminar tent secured during the storm Friday night. I was impressed at how many others jumped in to help. I saw one young guy hustle his family into the safety of the pavillion then headed out to help secure the tie downs. The man with the hammer didn't miss a swing while pounding those stakes back in. Impressive! And of course, the tipi's didn't seem to budge at all.
I had a chance to talk with Friday night's guest speakers, Connie and Gary Renfro. What a pleasure that was. Two more down to earth people you just won't find. You have to hand it to them, they aren't afraid to put in some extra effort to do what they enjoy.
Also had a good time working with all the volenteers and board members.
It was all a highlight ! it was my first time there and it was terrific, meeting and talking to Fred Asbell was a highlight, as well as meeting a lot of the class acts of our sport. Spent way to much money at the booths, blanket swap and auction LOL
I really noticed that this Is a family activity and everyone was courteous and went out of their way to be friendly. A great bunch of people ! I enjoyed the camping with good friends.I Was so impressed with Compton's that I joined, I will be back again.
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Watching my boys shooting!!!
Spending the weekend with my son Sean and my buddy Doud(doug g)was great as always but when my daughter showed up Sat. morning after flying in from Fla., well that was the topper! First time in I don't know how many years I actually had both my kids here for Fathers Day.
"First time in I don't know how many years I actually had both my kids here for Fathers Day."
-Rick Butler.
How cool is this? Way!! I'd say!!
I know you must have felt like a very blessed man.
Your Humble Servant
God bless,Mudd
1. Shot a Gemsbuck horn Owl bow.
2. Ordered a new Meriah from Wild Horse Creek bows
3. Had a buddy join me who had never shot a bow before, now he is a trad archer with a 69 Kodiak Hunter and a Driad 3pc and plans to bring his son up to Compton next year.
It was a good trip !
Chewing the fat with David Miller and John Lee. Two great guys.
The highlight of the weekend for me without a doubt was listening to Skyler and Mason doing the "Best of Robtattoo" impersonations. They nailed it!
Really, the best of Compton for me is always the time spent sitting around the fire with good freinds that I don't get to see nearly often enough. At the risk of missing someone I won't try to name them all, but it seemed we had a steady stream of visitors around our camp. I just love that stuff!
Working the booth kept me busy the rest of the time, and believe it or not, I once again never even took my bow out of the case. Just didn't want to miss a minute of visiting with freinds.
I can shoot any other day of the year....
Man, what a great time. I came to the shoot from Oklahoma. I would start shooting alone and fall in with a group and I met a lot of great people. The language barrier was not a big problem. People form Michagan do talk funny.
The highlights were shooting in the clay target matches and getting to purchase wool pullovers from the Asbell stock. "Sagamore" who worked tirelessly with the clay targets made this a very enjoyable event.
The only thing I would do different if I get to return to Compton's would be to camp instead of staying in a motel. You miss so much by staying in a motel.
QuoteOriginally posted by Gordon Jabben:
People form Michagan do talk funny.
Ya better re-read what ya type eh???
:readit:
Sorry bro, couldn't help myself on this one. :biglaugh:
I need spell check!!!! :o
My highlight was spending time with old friends and making new ones. We had a big feed at our camp on Sat nite and I had the pleasure of spending much time with Mr. and Mrs. Ron La Clair. Then he stopped by on Sunday when we were a little slower and we got to talk knives. Ron has some beauties coming out soon for sure. It was a good weekend. Gotta go slow turn some lamb chops.
My favorite shot would either have to be the pink panther or the mosquito one. Loved being surroned by others that shoot Trad also and the friendly atmosphere that pulsed through everything. Favorite time was probably shooting the courses with the Tradgang group and i'm not even going to try to remember all 8 of your names even though i've "added" most of you but you know who you are. Great group of guys, Cooper, Folts, and Don just to name a few. Seeing my girlfriend Lillian get into the event so much and shoot so much without to much worry also was a highlight.
This was the first ever Compton for Mason, Skyler, and me. We were not able to bring DW, ( Skyler's Dad ), because of work, RATS !!! Wanted to bring robbie tattoo but he too was held to the grindstone by "Miss Jules", haha !!! Gotta teach these two how to get a kitchen pass next year early !
Where do I start..... wonderful road trip for us even though it was 563 miles from TN. Did not realize how pretty Indiana and MI are. We arrived Friday morning to a forecast that had changed at the last minute to extreme heat and severe thunderstorms. Where can I get a job like the weathermen who are wrong half the time and still draw a paycheck ??? From the first few minutes till we left we continually met the fine folk at Compton and got to finally meet our heros we read about on the gang each day in person. Got to finally see lots of the vendors we never get to see in the South at our events. I especially had wanted to see the wool clothing vendors that are not as popular down South where it usually is pretty warm. My new best friends are Bill and Laurie of Gray Wolf Woolens. We spent lots of time with them, mainly trying to help empty their dutch ovens of desserts !!! Mason and Skyler came in handy in that department. Being 15 years old they have hollow legs and you cannot fill them up. Whip graciously allowed us to share the weekend and camp with them as well. He fulfilled a dream of ours to finally get to try elk meat. I am now saving $$$ for an elk tag Joe !!! I also very much enjoyed 4runr's company and his two fine kids, Adam and Emma. Felt like I have known you my whole life Kenny ! We learned a few new, " Yank" terms like, "Bubbler", ( Wisconsin for water fountain ), and " Striped Whistlers", ( Shaun's story about Iowa farmers buying minnows in Canada ). I didn't tell him we call 'em "minners", here in the South ! I realized I missed seeing a few gang members I wanted to see and shake hands with like KY TJ, guess I will catch him another day ? Was great to meet fletcher, rabbitman, and hormoan. Mason and I got to spend some great time with Mike knappin, thanks bud !!! G Fred graciously spent a few minutes with Mason and Skyler as well. One day them boys will look back at all the fine ladies and gents they did get the priveledge of meeting and realize how lucky they are.
The trip home was much longer than the way up that is for sure. Was a sad sight seeing Compton in the rearview mirror. I told Ron LaClair that we would be getting a big empty pickle jar full of loose change together over the rest of this year for gas $$$ for Compton 2011 !!! Awesome event, even more awesome folks that put it all together. We are truly Blessed !!!
Jimmy, Mason, Skyler
Yep, Jimmy`s story of his boy realizing the new Shrew he was holding was HIS...certainly a highlight.
Glad everyone is home safe.
My wife asked the question..."why is it just once a year?" :D
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Hey Jimmy, you only need to make it a quart jar bud. I'll throw in the balance for '11. Heck, half the folks I call good friends were there & I ain't missin' 'em no more! If I'd known Mel Dave & Brent were gonna be there, along with you, The Fat Kid & sky, Whip'o', Shaun, Dick & Smiley & all the rest, Id've crawled there over broken glass!
The look on The Fat Kid's face is priceless!
I am with you Whip....the highlight is the friendships and getting a chance to talk. Meeting my friend Craig finally face to face was super.
I will also add that Connie and Gary Renfro's talk on Friday night really got my heart pumping to do some elk hunting!
I think I might have been one of the only ones to catch a, "moment" on Sunday morning..... Sometimes you gotta be still, look, and listen. If only I would have had a camera, but Skyler had it in his pocket.
As I was talking with my new Michigan flint knappin buddies, thanking them for all the pointers they gave Mason and I over the weekend, the moment almost slipped by me. I got a nudge from that little voice inside as I caught Ron and Redbird out of the corner of my eye.
Ron LaClair and Redbird were walking hand in hand across the grounds to the broadhead display area. No one was stopping them or talking to them and it was almost as if they were in their own little world. All I could think of was, " That is the way it is supposed to be. " Ron is a mountain of a man but you could see the tender side of him as he and Redbird were walking hand in hand Sunday morning.
nocams :archer:
How cool is that! Thanx for sharing Jimmy :clapper:
Jimmy, I have had the privilage of getting to know Ron and Nancy over the last few years or so. I always tell my wife if we are even half the couple they are when we have been together that long it will be a blessing.
QuoteOriginally posted by Guru:
How cool is that! Thanx for sharing Jimmy :clapper:
Way!!!! I'd say!!!!!!
God bless,Mudd
Jimmy it was nice meeting you and your son Mason. I have to say that Mason is going to be a great flint knapper. He does a very good job making a point now. It was kind of neat having Ron LaClair and Norm Blaker sitting at our knapping site watching us and shooting the breeze as old buddies do.
Both are legend in their own right. Ron the father of the longbow and Norm the father of flintknapping here in Michigan.
I've never seen so many trad guys in one place! Out west, we just don't have that kind of hunter density. What a great feeling of family. Gotta say, one of the highlights for me was visiting with Gary and Connie. I'm sure I'm not the only guy to have followed Connie's writing over the years and wondered why Gary was the lucky guy. Now that I got a chance to meet and hang out with both of them (I spent a couple of hours in the airport with them waiting for our flight), I'd have to say that Connie didn't do too bad herself. I haven't laughed so much in a long time, he might consider an occupation as a stand up comic.
Thanks for all of you guys that stopped by my booth and visited, it was great to put some faces with the names!
that looks like a good time.will have to get up there next year.
Jon,
The feeling is mutual my friend ! We met so many fine folks at Compton. The pickle jar got it's first change deposited in it today. That be our gas $$$ for Compton 2011, Good Lord Willing !
Tim, that is exactly what I was thinking when I saw Ron and Redbird. Gives us something to strive for in our relationships doesn't it ?
Jon, here are some pics of the two points Mason knocked out whith ya'll and some others he made today. He has not put the rock down that Mike gave him since we got home !
(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u89/nocams/PICT2319.jpg) (http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u89/nocams/PICT2318.jpg) (http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u89/nocams/PICT2317.jpg)
Great job Mason!
Wow, Those are great Mason! :notworthy: :clapper:
The Compton board members and Teresa Asbell (and the volunteers) worked their collective butts off. My hat is tipped to them! Great job and thanks for the best rendezvous ever!
I missed the TradGang conference... I didn't see it on the card. I'd like to meet more of you. (Enjoyed seeing Whip though.)
I hung out a bunch with Robert McKenzie from Australia. That was a treat. Nice getting the scoop of how it is in other countries.
My "brother" Danny Dupuy was back in the game and we shared a camp with Big Jake and his daughter Danny. That was great.
You never remember all the names, but thanks to all who shared their camp with me and allowed me to share my camp with them. You are all blessings!
My highlight? The evenings spent with friends around the camp, but there was something different this year.
I entered the "bigtop" at 11:00 Saturday to talk to as many of my friends as I could, and I exited the tent six hours later! I still hadn't had time with everyone, but I put a big dent in it.
Second place in the Chili Contest wasn't bad... But Ron, I'm gonna get you!! :smileystooges:
Congrats to Ron, he sets the bar high, but I have some strategy for next year that I think might put me a little higher on the winner's platform. Shootin' for gold next year!
Tom Colstead even stopped by our camp on his birthday and shared some stories with us.
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t115/toddsmith5298/ron_norm_2010.jpg)
I was able to introduce Robert to Ron LaClair and Norm and Dave Blaker as well.
This was, for me the best Compton Rendezvous ever. The Chili - Hotdog feed Friday night was great. I helped serve the food and sooooo many folks were saying thanks for the feed... What a group of folks.
Compton is a fantastic organization and if you aren't a member, you should be. :thumbsup:
See you next year! todd
Shaun, Can i ride with you next year?
Seeing and spending time with ole buddys, and my grandson Payton. Makes it all so good!!! Payton and I shared a camp area with Dave Stinson, Mel Riley & Karl Anderson. The guys where testin nick names on Payton. Seems woodchip stuck ;)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l101/GUNSMITHAMMO/COMPTONS%202010/197acbf4.jpg)
Payton had a wonderful time, not to mention us! This video clip is Payton on the aerial target range.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf5WPHfzcZM
And here he is on the kids range. He wanted a balloon oh so bad. The first one is taken out just before he shoots. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygPmLzsjuCY
The only tears shed where leaving
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7HgI9j7Kn8
Excellent Brent, he's a good shot!
BTW....who's got the cool painted up tee pee?
He is getting better and better Curt. Now just to get him stop fling his arms around. And he will, have it mostly together :thumbsup:
I do not who's teppee that is.
I'm gonna have to make it next time. Seems like a great gathering.
Good to see Robert gave the Aussies a good representation over there. Its gets a fella to thinking he may just have to ante up and get across the pond for 2011...
Thanks for sharing all of you .
Ben
QuoteOriginally posted by robtattoo:
Heck, half the folks I call good friends were there & I ain't missin' 'em no more! If I'd known Mel Dave & Brent were gonna be there, along with you, The Fat Kid & sky, Whip'o', Shaun, Dick & Smiley & all the rest, Id've crawled there over broken glass!
I was there, too, Rob.
You wouldn't crawl over broken glass for me?