Come on Day one, post em if ya got em
Lots of attendees, lots of vendors and lots of folks mingling around with big grins on their faces. I can't say for sure, but I think the grins are because of all of the new toys they are going out the door with. Or it might be that they are still trying to figure out how they are going to explain all of the money they just spent to their significant other!
Many of the most popular bowyers are here in person and it's really great to be able to shoot all of these great bows. There are also the likes of G.F. Asbell, Ron LeClair, the Wensels so you just don't know who you will run into!
p.s. there are also some really nice bow collections on display by the many of the most famous American archers like Bear, Pearson, Hill and more.
As before, these folks have put on a great show and it only will get better as the weekend goes on! Tomorrow they start with some of the guest speakers and seminars.
Longstick, I'm with you man.
I couldn't make it but wait for reports like a kid at Christmas!!
Bring on the photos!!!
Just got home. Saw many people I know including more than a few well know Trad Gang members. I didn't do a lot of socializing or photo taking tonight. My Friday night plan is always to shoot as many bows as humanly possible and get that done before the bigger crowds on the weekend.
There was a good turnout. The renovated facility is nice. I think there were a few less venders this year, but not by much.
Didn't get to the room until around 7:00pm. Checked in and grabbed some dinner, so I'll have to wait until tomorrow to see the goods.
Usually, go Friday evening, but got a late start. I'll hit'em in the morning.
I took lots of photos but wont have the ability to post them till Sunday or Monday. I'll be there tomorrow also so if you see me walking around with my big ole Canon (camera) say hello. :D
Just got to the hotel with my wife and kids. Already spent too much money but completely worth the trip. Shooting all the bows is a blast and my daughter finally got her fox hide for her new quiver. I've been wanting to shoot a Pine Hollow bow for the longest time and shot three of em tonight. Also loved the new Zipper Nitro. That longbow smokes an arrow and is smooth as silk.
Lots of great folks here on the vendor side; they all went out of their way to engage my girls - they crested some arrows, shot bows, talked Daddy into some jewelry and candy. They really enjoyed it. For those of you guys with kids, it makes a great family weekend. We got a relatively cheap room at the candlewood suites. Free kids movie, some snacks and they couldn't be happier.
Looking forward to Ed Ashby tomorrow morning.
I'll be there around 9am tomorrow, for the mass crush. :)
That sure sound like a blast!! I wish I could go to something like that one day... just to shoot all the bows, would make it a treat!
Met quite a few people from TG tonight. It's always nice to put a face to the name, yes even Whip's :biglaugh:
Then there is Killdeer, she took two planes and a taxi to get to the hotel, then walked from the hotel to the Expo. Now that shows determination. Especially since most the people were staying at the hotel she was in. I'm sure there won't be a morning walk in her future tomorrow.
Some very beautiful bows on display. Tall Tines and Zippers caught my eyes this evening.
The new layout of the place is different, so please do not forget to go right once you pay, or you might miss some very good displays, including the Michigan Longbow Association's "kid's shooting area", along with Lonnie's Recycled Recurves and the huge hill dispay and Broadheads I could only dream about.
If you are lost, and have no idea how you could be SO FAR away from all the action, don't feel bad the Sitka Gear booth is right there with you. :biglaugh:
For as warm as the weather is, there should be record numbers of people there this weekend. If your on the fence about coming, don't hesitate. There are some very awesome deals that you will not find anywhere else, but to find out what they are your gonna have to see for yourself.
Please say hello if you see me there.
I picked up a few things and shot a few bows. Those Tuffhead broadheads are awesome. It is hard to imagine something stopping that 300 grain beast! Bob Morrison didn't make it. Too bad, was really hoping to check his stuff out. Kevin at RER bows had some real nice bows. Lots of nice stuff to see. Sorry Kathy had such a rough time of it. Tomorrow will be better.
Hill Country Bows is also tucked away back in the corner with Sitka gear. Please make the effort to stop by Roman's booth and say hello and check out his new bows.
Great to see all old friends and make some new ones.
I am on my way this morning. :bigsmyl:
Keep it coming and we need many pics, the drool is forming.
The most impressive bows for me this year were the RER bows. I didn't know much about them before but was extremely impressed with their performance.Kevin was great at explaining the aspects of a static tip. Going to have to have one of these bows someday. List is getting pretty long.
Didn't make K-zoo this year. Last year I found the folks at RER exceptionally patient and helpful. They were a pleasure to talk to and their bows shoot very well too.
Had a great time last night. Met a few Tradgangers, and had some great conversations with venders. I spent quite a bit of time with Roman and his bows. Really like them both.
Looking forward to today's activities. Hopefully my rental car will handle the snow OK.
Pictures brothers, pictures!!
:campfire:
any pics? I wish I was there =(
Keep us posted on the new bows!!! Sounds like a great time. Wish Charlie and I could of attended, guess well have to wait till next year,(that's what we said last year)LOL. Thanks!!! God bless.
I wanna see some pics. Couldn't go this year. Come on!
Monsterbuck,
Yes, maybe next year. But I wish we were there today.
Here is Kathy(Killdeer) with Abe Penner of Cari-bow bows. This is the only picture that I took. Look how happy she looks. Must have just ordered a new bow. ;)
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd102/pdk25/2012-01-28110623.jpg)
Seen a nice LH Kodiak Mag 1965 on the trade table I should have brought home..
Decent crowds today but the roads were slick this morning. Not sure if Dr. Ashby's presentation went off as planned. We got there before 10 but didn't hear it announced. Zipper Zipstick was impressive, as well as the TwoTracks Exotic wood Longwalkers, and the Aluminum riser Predators. Saw several TG'ers. Killy was busy at the Shrew booth when we walked by. Nice flow to the crowd and less problems with arrows waving through the crowd. :thumbsup:
I just got home from the show and plan to go every year now. I shot 17 different bows! I made the best of my time there! After Friday night and Saturday morning I finally narrowed it down two bows. If I could afford two bows I would have bought a Cari-bow Slynx but in the end I came home with the RER XR riser static tip 3pc recurve. The folks a RER were very accomodating (read patient)....I shot the same bow no less than 5 times. I found a bow that just shoots where I look, makes it seem easy. I'm putting more arrows through her at home and am totally impressed. Groups nice, quiet, fast and very forgiving.
Joe
Joe, I have a RER LX, like your bow but with longbow limbs, and it's just a great bow. So fun to shoot, it's hard to put down, isn't it? Good luck with your new bow! :thumbsup:
Thanks Eric, yeah its a great shooter. I really liked the long bow limbs too. RER really impressed me.
This was my first trip ever to a trad archery expo. Not terribly surprising, since I just got started in this exciting/frustrating/fun game 2 years ago.
I was the proverbial kid in a candy store. I got to not just look at, but pick up, fondle and shoot a lot of stuff that I've been following on company web sites and here on Trad Gang.
I was deeply disappointed in some of the bows I thought I'd really like and pleasantly surprised by some others. I had just bought a bow on the way to the expo, so it was window shopping only except for the obligatory small game points and some Zwicky left bevel 160grs.
I was advised to stop by Hill Country Bows booth and did. Roman is a very quiet but friendly guy who doesn't waste a lot of energy in frenzied sales pitches. Suddenly, a little 56" 1-piece recurve bow jumped off the rack into my hand and I instantly fell in love.
I figure if I sell a couple of my bows that I like, but have no special feelings for and maybe save a little lunch money, that bow with some different woods will be ordered in the spring. There was a lot of quality work on display at the show, but that one just won my heart. I drew it back to my 29.5" anchor and it just smiled at me and said, "Oh come on. Pull me just a little farther". So I did and it kept smiling and talking to me.
As a friend of mine used to say, "You're never too old to enjoy a happy childhood". Great show!
I am on way home had to make a stop in Akron for my daughters Cheer competition. First trip to Kzoo and I will be there next year for sure. Dr Ashbey did speak I stayed for 2 hours of it and reluctently had to leave. Mrs Asbell is a woderful lady bought some wool and other goodies from her and a doz new LW grizzlys, KME stones and some Tshirts. Met up with a few Tradgangers, I went alone but there was no shortage of friendship.
Ed
I just got home, a 2.5 hr ride, roads were better coming home than going. Great time and great bunch people to be around!
Miss Theresa had a pile of wool goodies you wouldnt believe...and on SALE! Yup I did my part.
Got to check out the Classic Bowman wool wear, definately top shelf stuff. Anyone that knows Rob knows that he is comitted to offering nothing but the finest garment possible, it shows!
Relieved Ron LaClair of a couple dozen of those well seasoned Acme cedar shafts. Took the "ShrewHill" for a test drive...Purty nice bow I'll tell ya, just dont know if I can do that wedge grip, but other than that :thumbsup:
All in all, couldnt be a better day. Visit with old friends a meet some new ones.
Eric
Did anyone of you shoot the Dryad Orion with the new ACS recurve limbs.Its kinda got me to thinking....dangit!
My favorite bow of the weekend was the new Zipper Nitro. Hammers em home like Bill's recurve limbs, whisper quiet and smooth all the way through the draw. Also liked the Tall Tines 58" curve. Really nice grip and balance.
In the end, I'm going to have to spring for a set of limbs for my sxt.
Ed Ashby's presentation was very informative. It ran long but was well worth the time spent.
Just got home about an hour ago,had a great time got to meet some Tradgangers I have never met Killy being one.
A very nicley held show with lots of bows to see and shoot.I would recomend to try and make it someday when you can!!
I had great time today at the show. I only shot three bows. A new super Kodiak, a Holm-Made river runner, and a Hill Country K2. Fell in love with the K2 but didn't have the money to order one. I also had a nice conversation with Chad Holm about his bows which are real shooters also. I watched Killdeer shoot a 64# Hill Country recurve with ease that made jealous. That little lady can shoot! I also picked a beautiful handmade Cherokee Slim Turkey call. Walked away with a big grin and more things on my wish list.
Had a great time again at K-ZOO. Shot alot of bows and met a few tradgangers. The Dryad ACS Recurve limbs shot great. Never shot limbs that felt like them at my 30'' draw it felt like a let off at about 29''. They were a little twangy they needed a set of wool puffs on them. The zipstick also shot great. The hill country 56'' Cree recurve shot great. I had a break down and bought a 56'' Shrew Classic Hunter 43#@28. It shot to good to leave it at the show. Have fun everyone and have a safe trip home
Had a great time there yesterday and today. Met AKBowbender, Chad from Holm bows that is on here, and a couple others that I don't remember their names. Saw Killy (now that I see the picture on page 2 of this post) but didn't meet. I wonder how many others I missed.
Had a great time with my son, shot a lot of bows, looked at a lot of good gear and got some great ideas of things I want to do. Very glad I made the trip and I'm sure this will be the first of many, Lord willing.
There needs to be a Trad-Gang tag thingy that you can get as part of admission so that those on Trad-Gang can easily identify each other. Maybe next year? :)
Oh - forgot to list my favorite bows of the show. Hill Country Longbow, not sure which model, Timberhawk longbow, not sure which model, and the Holm Osprey longbow. Not in any specific order.
I was surprised as I thought that I would really like some of the higher priced bows but found that I actually like the ones that I can afford better. My review really wasn't based on price either, just really enjoyed those bows.
My son really liked the Predator recurves and longbows. I think we went back there 5 times. Felt bad that I didn't take one home as much as he shot their stuff. :)
It was a great show and it was awesome visiting everyone. Love our new Northern Mist's. Thanks Steve!
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b334/AnointedArcher/2012-01-28170334.jpg)
QuoteOriginally posted by huntingarcher:
Did anyone of you shoot the Dryad Orion with the new ACS recurve limbs.Its kinda got me to thinking....dangit!
I did. It was very fast, and yes, you can tell that even shooting the short distance range when one is that fast. Very hard hitting for the weight. Typically, they have bag targets, but this year they had Rinehart targets. You could really tell when a bow was burying arrows. Most bows will have a little silencer material on them. The Dryad bows do not so it was loud. I would like to shoot one again with some to see how it quiets down. To me it loaded up a little earlier, but was smooth and didn't feel like it was gaining much as I got out past 28". Overall it felt a couple pounds heavier than listed.
I also shot the Dryad static limb. That was very quiet with no silencers. It has a similar feel to the ACS recurve limb. I liked that limb a lot. It is right up at the top of my list for of hunting ILF recurve limbs so far along with Zipper limbs.
I live in Kzoo and typically shoot bows over three days so shoot a lot of them. I like to shoot favorites and all the new stuff, and then there are always a few that in the past have not been available in my weight range or bow length requirements. I will try to comment more later on some others I tried this year. Here is my list of stuff I shot this year for the first time.
BW KB
Hill Country Bobcat
Zipper SXT
Zipper 4pc TD longbow
ACS one piece
Dalaa longbow
Predator metal riser
Great northern fireball
I know there are a couple more I am not thinking of right off.
Jeff, Did you order the recurve?
Steve hasnt made one of those in a while.
Eric
Brought back a LaClaire Little shaver. Ron signed the sheath for me. He is good guy for sure.
Also sat in Ashby's seminar and learned a few things that didn't stand out in his previous reports. Interesting info on the types of internal cutting a single bevel BH does on tissue.
Troy Breeding did a nice job showing the benefits of excellent tuning and ultra EFOC. Did you know that an arrow can recover from archers paradox in just 1 yard with ultra EFOC?!?
Ron from KME helped me learn a thing or two about sharpening!
GREAT EXPO FOR SURE!
I was going to buy some feathers and an arm guard. I didn't get the arm guard. Stopped by the RER booth and came away with a new longbow..You just can't have too many bows. Jack
Bodmanjack, which model did you get? I have a LX w/ Tigerwood riser and limb veneers. Kevin is a great bowyer. :wavey:
Heard one of the vendors had a bow break on the draw. Wasn't there to see it. Kevin ar RER has a mind like a steel trap! I think he remembers every single bow that he has made. Super nice guy. Lot's of great wool products. Chuck at TwoTracks had the warmest wool vest ever, and the stuff that Rob at Classic Bowman Sporting Woolens had was the nicest looking stuff I have seen. Nice to put a face to some of the names. Everyone was very nice. Strange sitting in the hotel lobby with my wife and dirtybird and looking around seeing giants of trad archery like Ron Laclair eating breakfast and drinking coffee.
QuoteOriginally posted by pdk25:
Heard one of the vendors had a bow break on the draw. Wasn't there to see it
I heard something go and saw parts fly Friday night.
PDK25, I agree on Chucks' TwoTracks vest, those things are incredible!!
Eric
Yeah, it was the guys just next to the zipper booth I believe. We were standing just outside the zipper booth and part of whatever exploded hit my wife.
Home!! Had a great time. Met quite a few Trad Gang members. Opened the trunk when I got home, and found a new Zipper Recurve!!! Wonder how that got in there?? :bigsmyl:
Who could have put that in the trunk....lol!
Hey Eric I talked Steve into making it for me this past summer.
Here is a pic of Killy and Ron. She walked from her hotel to the Expo, a long walk through a rough neighborhood. I packed a .357 driving through it, Killy made it with just her Fedora!! She sure earned my respect by making to K-zoo, lots of effort on her part. I was thrilled to meet her!!
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/DSCF4011.jpg)
The big news to me was Teresa Asbell had zippers in her garments now. If i'm not mistaken, she is calling her zippered jackets "The Woodsman Classic". My cousin and I each bought one Friday night....by noon Saturday they were just about gone. AWESOME hunting garment!!
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/DSCF4010.jpg)
I was able to pick up one of Teresa's Silent Stalker Green pullovers to go with my nearly silent green Stalker Static Limb recurve. I'm asking my wife for a GFA quiver covered in the same material for my birthday. Teresa is awesome!!! :thumbsup: I left her a beaver pelt quiver she made for me 20 years ago to be repaired and readied for another 20 years. :pray:
QuoteOriginally posted by JJB2:
Yeah, it was the guys just next to the zipper booth I believe. We were standing just outside the zipper booth and part of whatever exploded hit my wife.
Wow! Glad she is okay.
Went to Kzoo Saturday with my son. We left at 4:00 am and arrived shortly after opening. Roads were a little dicey from Chicago to Kzoo, but no issues.
First thing that surprised me was the shiny new exhibit hall. The old building has been adequate over the years, but this was a big improvement. High ceilings, well lit, and well ventilated, a quality facility for a quality Trad Expo.
First thing on the to-do list was to order a new set of limbs for my Fox recurve. Ron King was great to deal with and after seeing his display bows it just reaffirmed my decision to buy my Fox years ago. The limbs will be 46# with juniper veneers, I can't wait!
I also tried out one of the 50" Two Tracks -Ambush bows. It was a neat little bow, I felt like I was carrying a kids bow up to the shooting line, but that feeling went away once I let a few arrows loose. It threw them out there with authority. Would make a nice turkey blind bow - great price too.
I stopped by Dryad and gave their new ACS static recurve hot rod a test drive. It was a smooth draw and was fast even at the short practice range. I wish I could have it for an hour to try out, kinda hard to really tell with just a few arrows. Definitely on my wish list.
The shooting lines got pretty long at times so I backed off on doing too much more shooting, but I admired and drooled over many bows. Especially liked the Tall Tines Brian had on display. Black Widow, Great Northern, Zipper, Dwyer, Predator, Holm-Made, A&H...on and on.
I really like the Tuff-Head broadheads and tried on the Big Shot glove from American Leathers - defintely gonna have one of those. The woolens at Classic Bowmen were outstanding, just need to save up the funds. Bought a DVD from Gary Davis to help with my dream of making my own osage self-bow.
I intentionally brought limited funds to keep myself from going crazy, and I certainly could have. I try to make it Kzoo every year, but it sometimes turns out every other. We headed back about 1:00-1:30, and had plenty to talk about on the drive home. Roads had dried up nicely and the sun was shining, so it was a pleasant drive home and we arrived in time for dinner. About 8 hours of driving for about 4-5 hours of Expo, but I have been enough times now that I can make my way around pretty quickly, especially if I have a plan of specififc things I want to see. I noticed Morrison, Great Plains and Stalker were missing this year - hopefully they will be back next year?
I know distance is a big factor for many, but if you ever get a chance, you owe to yourself to make it to Kzoo some day.
Sorry no pics, totally forgot to grab the camera in the early morning hours.
Anyone know what bowyer had a bow blow up? That just makes your heart jump especially if it is you drawing the bow.
Just got back from K-ZOO. Been going on sundays the last few years, less people. Shot a few bows as usual and I ordered my Black Widow PSA X Camo grain. Shot a Zipper, nice bow but mainly tryed out some longbows. I liked the Dwyer long bow that I shot. Wanted to buy a new Michigan Traditional Bowhunters hat but I think they pulled their booth out early. Good time, good people.