I just got back from my first archery event. It was the Poke and Hope Rendezvous in Durham Maine.I can hardly put into words the time I had. The five 3-D courses were wonderful. I shot them over and over with different groups of people. The novelty events/competitions were challenging and fun. Most of all the people were kind and friendly and helpful. Kindred spirits I guess. If you would have asked me Sunday afternoon, I would have said with a big grin,  " nothing could have made it better". Then, just before I left, they had the raffle!! My number was drawn first and I got a beautiful 55# Great Plains longbow!! Lucky man. Hello again to every one I met and thank you to every one involved. I'm hooked. See you next year. Scott

Congrats! You'll notice that having that much fun is the norm at traditional shoots.

awesome,  did they do the warrior course where you shoot laying down and throw a knife at one of the targets?   I remember going up there every year,,  we drove up from Mass but as the group got smaller we went up on bikes and pitched tents but what a great shoot AND winning a raffle bow!

nobody from my group shoots anything anymore and its just too far of a hike to camp alone and dwell on that past so I cherish the memories instead but it was one of the best new england shoots when New England had a few of the good ones.  I think you have Jonesboro, VT coming up next if my memorie hasn't changed.

Yes they had the warrior course. 15 different stations I think. With all kinds of obstacles and challenges. With the knife throw at the end. I didn't score very high, but I had a blast.

That is a great way to get started in the 3D world. Have fun and enjoy the ride; you have opened the door to a whole lot of fun.

I don't think I'll be traveling to go to many of these events. commitments,family,budget ect. I'm mainly in this for the hunting. That being said, it was wicked nice to meet like minded people from my part of the world.

I meant to ad that I will be going to this same shoot as long as they have it and  as long as I am able.

Scott, good to see another stick shooter having fun. I don't know if you are familiar with Old Town Archery as they put on some shoots off Old Town Hudson ext. you should go see if they have a schedule you can get.

There are a group (4-5 and sometimes more) of us who go. We have fun as that's the name of the game. Maybe we will see you there.

I have only heard good things about that shoot!

Glad you had a great time.

Whittler, I went to one of thier 3-D shoots about a month ago. met three other trad guys there and shot with them. very nice. thats where I found out about the Poke and Hope.

Sorry that I missed you. I was only able to shoot on Saturday. It is a FANTASTIC shoot, and every year gets better. Great targets and people. the course layout really caters to a bowhunter and I had a blast.

I was surprised to see so many people from out of state. I assumed it was a Maine thing.(I'm new to all this) But I met people from Mass,N.H. and R.I.

I always met more people from Mass and NH at poke n hope's than folks from Maine.

Same as ETAR everyone I met was from NJ or NY and hardly met anyone from PA.

No wonder we never meet many nice people at ETAR---))

Can't wait for next week!!

Know how you feel, Scott!  Definitely life changing! The courses are fun and the people are great!  Welcome and enjoy the ride!  Congrats on the bow!