I have been thinking of this idea for about a year now, and with a recent amount of free time on my hands (surgery) I was able to put together the parameters of a National Contest.
I am the President of the Michigan Longbow Association (MLA) http://www.michiganlongbow.org/ and have met with the MLA General Council to discuss this contest, and get approval from the Council to move forward with this idea. The MLA has had an arrow building contest for members of the MLA for the past 6 years and now, we would like to give the opportunity to those who don't have a place to display their works of art to do so. There are so many wonderful arrow creations being crafted by each and everyone of you, and from what I have seen, each of you are capable of winning the contest. DO you think you have what it takes?
I ran this idea by Terry Green, and he has allowed us to use Tradgang to promote the contest.
The rules are simple, and are as follows...
Michigan Longbow Association's National Arrow Building Contest:
-Entry is free to MLA members ($15 annual dues), if not a member, there is a $20 entry fee.
-Entries must be 3 identical ANY material arrows tipped with any type of point. (no judging will be done on sharpness of broadheads)
-NO displays will be allowed. This is an arrow contest ONLY.
-Entries must be accompanied by an index card with a name, address and phone number of entrant on one side, and on the other side of the index card, the name of the arrows (like a piece of Art) and a description of the arrows so that all the judges know what work went into the build.
-All entries MUST be in possession of a Michigan Longbow Association member by February 1st (unless you have bought a ticket to attend the Winter Banquet), to ensure that they will be here and brought to the Winter Banquet.
-Contest will take place at the annual MLA Winter Banquet (every February).
-Judging for the contest will be done by the attendees of the MLA Winter banquet. Each banquet attendee is allowed 1 (one) vote. Highest amount of votes wins, and then 2nd/3rd in order by votes. All ties will be decided by the MLA Council.
-Prize...1st place-Custom Bark River knife; 2nd place-Great Northern strap on quiver; 3rd place-Embroidered possibles bag. Along with bragging rights for 1 year (which is priceless). Each and EVERY contestant will receive a MLA T-shirt.
-All arrows become the property of the Michigan Longbow Association, and will be auctioned off at the Winter Banquet.
-100% of the money raised from the Out-of-State, other than Michigan, entries (thru entry fees and auction totals) will be donated to the Professional Bowhunters Society to be earmarked and spent on the PBS Youth Hunt.
-If you would like to purchase your arrows at the auction, but are not able to attend, please include a note stating how much you are willing to bid and one of our Council Members will bid on your behalf up to the amount you have stated.
-At the conclusion of the contest, each and every entry will have a picture taken and posted on this thread. Along with the announcement of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.
This is your opportunity to shine in the National Spotlight, I think you all have what it takes, now show the rest of us that you do too.
OMG!!
I had no idea that I was talking with the President!!! :eek:
This looks like a wonderful way to benefit the Association, arrow makers and archery. Whoever came up with the idea, NICE!!
Killdeer :thumbsup:
Mike, I'm not an arrow builder but I play one on TV :D (It's an old video). This might get me to re-join MLA so I can go to the banquet and vote.
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: Good on you Mike. I'm in. I'll call you later.
QuoteOriginally posted by Killdeer:
OMG!!
I had no idea that I was talking with the President!!! :eek:
This looks like a wonderful way to benefit the Association, arrow makers and archery. Whoever came up with the idea, NICE!!
Killdeer :thumbsup:
Watch it he has a secret service team!
QuoteOriginally posted by magnus:
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: Good on you Mike. I'm in. I'll call you later.
Second and third place are still available...Ha Ha! This sound like fun. I have to hone my skills now.
:clapper: Mike, great idea and well thought out! :clapper:
So many great things going on here: promoting and funding the PBS youth hunt, promoting the MLA, giving a stage to showcase some wonderful artistry and artists, and giving us MLA members ANOTHER reason not to miss the winter banquest (as if the dessert contest weren't reason enough!).
Maybe you need surgery more often... :dunno:
QuoteOriginally posted by Pokerdaddy:
:clapper: Mike, great idea and well thought out! :clapper:
:
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The praise goes to our Council. I had the vision and collectively we all came together to form the rules. Without the Council, this would not have been possible.
Now Tim there are so many great arrow smiths here and elsewhere including the guy who made this post that it's just fun to participate.
Matt, its all in fun, and I know Mike makes a slamming arrow that makes my work look kindergardenish. But its competition like this that makes us do some of the best work ever and it will benefit a lot of kids in the end. I look forward to competing against skilled arrowsmith's like you,Mike, and snag.
Good on you Mike for setting this up with the MLA. And for it to be of benefit to the kids...well that's just too great. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I know Tim. :thumbsup: It'll be fun and helps a great cause. Thats all that matters.
Competition is always good and this sounds like a worthwhile one. Thanks council and Mike for putting this together. Always up for a challenge. :thumbsup:
What does the man that says "I CAN'T" have in common with the man who says "I CAN"? They are both correct.
Never count yourself out. I always thought mine were good bucket fillers and marginal hunters at best. All it took was a little motivation from a couple good friends to get me thinking positively.
I'm hoping this will motivate others to say "I CAN".
Yes, this is a well thought out promotion and fundraiser for both the MLA (they do a great job with archery promotion and donations) and nationally for the PBS youth program which has a goal of training future traditional valued leaders. That's a win-win in my book. :clapper: :clapper:
All 3 arrows have to match? Oh well, I'm still in... :archer2:
TTT
Gotta be more arrow guys out there that are interested... :campfire:
Great idea, :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Just might have to dust off the HomeMade Crester for this one! :thumbsup:
WOW, there seems to be some interest in this...and I'm very pleased with that. Thank you for the support guys.
I did some lookig at Compton's this weekend, and there are some VERY beautiful arrows out there that guys are target shooting with.
The best part of the whole thing is that our sports future is benefiting from this by donating back to the PBS youth hunt.
I thought I would bring this back to the top so those of you who are wondering what to do in all this heat, can get started. If anything (for me) it's going to be fun just being included in the contest. I'm sure there are going to be some very beautiful functional pieces of art.
Don't forget, this is an ANY material arrow contest. We want anyone and everyone who makes their own arrows to be included. That also means that if you want to use footed shafts, you don't have to be the one doing the footing. Call up one of the TG sponsors who make them and buy some from them, you know...let's try to help as many people with this as we can. It's only fair, if guys can buy carbon and aluminum, why should you not be able to buy footed wood? Every little bit counts, and most importantly, you got to have fun while doing it.
QuoteOriginally posted by Mike Vines:
... if guys can buy carbon and aluminum, why should you not be able to buy footed wood?
Hmmm I would have thought that was cheating, but when you put it that way, most folks shooting wood buy their shafts from someone else anyway.
I just might need to make a few arrows after all...
Thom
Just a friendly bump to get you guys thinking.
:campfire:
:campfire:
I say if its going to be a national contest the enty fee should be the same for b>everyone,
Bump to get you all thinking about your entries to the contest.
Just a friendly reminder bump.
Everyone must be busy putting together their best creations, so I thought I would bring this up again to promote a great contest. I hope to see as many of you in it as possible. Thunk of the bragging rights, not to mention the awesome prizes that accompany the winners. We also added another award to thighest ranking MLA member, so there is another incentive to get involved. Good luck to everyone.
I was just asked this question thru PM...
Major question is what criteria are you going to judge the arrows on? Just asthetics, uniqueness, balance, straightness, how close they match in spine and weight, etc.
Without that who knows what to focus on?
Here was my response...
Exactly. They MUST be the best possible arrows you are capable of building. If you knew each of the judges expectations, you might slack in other areas. So my answer to you is yes, they will be judged on everything, so be prepared. This a National Contest. Nothing but the best the Nation has to offer should be included.
:campfire:
There are some pretty sweet prizes waiting to be won.
Lets bring this back up
The MLA is a WONDERFUL organization!! Glad to see the arrow contest reaching outside of our state. :thumbsup:
I'm anxious to see the posting of the winners. You get the opportunity to see great cresting patterns and fletching!!
Big Thumbs Up on this one :thumbsup: :) :)
I hope to see all the specs on the shafts posted as well. Great food for creative thought!!
Contact info will be on the back of your index card that has the arrow info printed on it. Good point, cards will be taped down, so only the guy organizing the contest (no, it's not me. I'm the Promoter) will know who's is who's. He is one of our longtime MLA Council members. I can say with complete honesty, This is a trustworty, NO BS organization. "Good ole' Boys need not apply. I'm kind of hoping that another State archery organization will be interested in hosting it each successive year, and make it a true "National" contest. It had to start somewhere, so why not in the state of the guy who thought of it? All the prizes, this year, are from Michigan. If another State wants to host the contest in coming years, possibly they can promote their State's products as prizes to the winners.
I'm just doing my best to give arrow builders who do not have a place to showcase their creations get the opportunity to do so, not to mention, there are some pretty good prizes, and it also benefits the PBS youth hunt at the same time. Tried to make this a Win Win for everyone involved, and I believe it is going to be just that.
Just over 2 weeks to get your entries in. Already received a couple and word on the street is there is more coming. Did you get your entries in?
Not that I'd be a threat to win, but I have to pass this year. No time or extra funds for much at all.
Good luck to all who enter!
Thank you. I just received another box in the mail today from the west coast (to be opened at the banquet). Next year, the contest will be in Cinncinatti, Ohio at the PBS banquet.