Yes it's true. I have been asked to go to Finland to help out.

Believe it or not, someone out there actually values my opinion....for other than what spine to choose  

The Finish Bowhunters Association is flying me over to Finland in March to be one of 3...or 4 speakers to attempt to sway the powers that be to instigate Finlands very first big game archery season.

Unfortunatley this is not during their hunting season so I can only take in the scenery but if infact the season does come to fruition, I have been promised an invite back.

I feel very honored to be part of something such as this. And to me and I'm sure to most of you, it would seem to be a slam dunk...but not necessarily so. There are centuries of tradition that must first be addressed along with current bad management habbits that must be overcome before there will be a viable solution.
But what good is a victory without a fight.

Finland has the highest percentage of hunters per capita of the european countries yet it is still only 4%. It is a rich country that is heavily wooded and teaming with game that includes moose, reindeer, white tailed deer, bear, wild boar, roe deer and many more.
They also have a rich archery tradtion and much of that is still deeply rooted in traditional archery.

Ya'll wish me..us luck.
Thanks for your support, BigJim

That is truly a big deal. Congratulations on being selected to participate in what is a major archery related event. You will be a great ambassador for bowhunting.

I would like to apply for a position as your caddy!! I'll carry anything you need buddy!!! Lol
Congrats on a great opportunity!!

Congrats and the best of luck it is truly something to be proud of.

Finland is a beautiful country.  Good luck in your task.

It is a noble mission. Wish you every success.

Congrats on the honor, Big guy.

I remember hearing that the white tails were a gift originally, is that correct?
Good luck!!!

Hope you can influence their decision Big Jim... all the best!

Hey Great news!  I am hopeful for a success!

That's awesome!!! Best of luck to you. I have a friend from Finland. When I ask him if it is legal to bowhunt in Finland he said "nothing is legal in Finland" lol.  He doesn't hunt but goes along with a friend who hunts sometimes.

Please keep us all posted

Good luck, Finland is a beautiful Country

Damn! That's impressive! Knock it out of the park!

A noble honor indeed....

Along with that honor, you will be shouldering an unwieldy yet illuminating responsibility to effectuate the support of the masses.

Clearly and concisely differentiating between the 'freedom of indifference' and  the' freedom of excellence' will be imperative..


The realistic future possibility in exercising the freedom of excellence intrinsically endowed by the traditional way hangs in the balance. May your presence and voice be explicitly perceived that the coveted traditional way is imbued with invaluable substance, thus tipping the scales.

The mere fact that you've been asked speaks to a bigger chance of a positive outcome. Your "Viking-like" look will be well received also, I bet.

Good luck, the traditional side is sending an excellent representative.

That's awesome , if anyone can show them the power and lethal affects of a well placed shot it would be you .

Good luck with this project as a few years ago in Scotland I ran into the same attitude towards bowhunting.Lots of game reserved for the enjoyment of the elite.

I would imagine that I won't be the biggest guy in Finland...I felt like I was in Africa    as mentioned, I will probably blend in.

Part of what they are tasking me to address are the issues or stigma that traditional archery is less accurate than compound and the concerns.
I'm still getting a feel for how things are handled there and it is quite strange from our way of thinking...as I understand it.

I feel that I have been handling most of these concerns through out the years but with a differnt aggenda. Nearly every day I am introduced as a hunter/archer and killer of young innocent and defensless...but tastey animals (yes I'm a deplorable too).
We realize that the vast majority are uneducated in our reality yet they aren't necesarily anti's at least not yet.
Some of these might even be other hunters but have disdain for our methods. Or of our own ranks that dislike the methods of other hunters. There's always another struggle.

If all else fails, I've been studying up on the tv seeries Vikinigs just in case I need to try a new aproach to getting my point across  

Thanks for your support, BigJim the Horrible(think that will help?)

Big Jim the Magnificient is more like it. You have a big hill to climb but I think you'll be up to it