Spring Thaw Primitive Shoot

[Calendargirl]

Hawkeye Bowmen Spring Thaw Primitive Shoot
April 25-27
2008 will mark the 5th year for the Spring Thaw Primitive Archery Shoot. We would like to Thank all of you who attended our Shoot in previous years and extend an Invitation to Everyone whether you are a past participant or a first timer to attend this year’s Spring Thaw Shoot. While sitting around a campfire five years ago a few of us had an idea for a Selfbow Shoot. We wanted to put together an event where Primitive Archers could get together to shoot, build bows, share ideas and have some Fun. We also wanted to keep the Shoot affordable, low keyed and Fun for All including us. The rest of the Membership of Hawkeye graciously approved our request to put together this Shoot. We would like to express our Thanks to the Members of Hawkeye for allowing this year’s Event to take place.

          For those who have attended in the past, this year’s Shoot will be similar to the previous 4 years. To anyone considering attending for the first time, if you a looking for an affordable, low-keyed Selfbow Shoot we hope you can make it.

          This year’s Shoot includes unlimited shooting of the 3D courses, Primitive Camping (Pre 1840s Camps and Modern Camps are Welcomed), a Bow Making Area will be set up under one of the Shelters, Saturday’s “Selfbow Challenge” Woodswalk, a English Clout Shoot, The Possibility of some Primitive Skill Seminars, Trade blankets, a Campfire Cooking Contest on Friday and the now famous Saturday Evening Feast (bring a dish to pass). Gates will open on Friday at 10am and the Shoot will run through Sunday at Noon. As in the past, one low price includes everything for the Weekend. Pre 1840s Attire and Camps are encouraged but are not required. Selfbows and Wood Arrows are required of all Adult Shooters. Allowances in equipment will be made for any Children shooting.
Thank You and We hope to see you April 25,26,27,
Your Friends at Hawkeye Bowmen
13300 Clinton Street (Rte354)
Marilla New York
bps1957@juno.com

[Pappy]

Great bunch of Guys,I know a lot of them and really want to make this one sometime.
    Pappy

[Calendargirl]

I thought this sounded fun, too, Pappy.  Who from the boards is planning on going? 

[Ryano]

I've gone to this shoot every year since the begining and its a great time! Like pappy said they are a bunch of good folks that run the shoot.

[BrianS]

Here's a bit more info on our little shoot. Nothing big or fancy  but that's what we like about it.We average about 40 to 50 shooters every year. Some just come up for the day while others camp out(Primitive camping). We put out about 20 or so 3D targets in the woods (You can shoot the courses as many times as you want). There is a bow making area set up under one of the shelters for guys to hang out, work on bows and share ideas. Sometimes there are guys knapping also. Friday evening there is a campfire cooking contest with some prizes. On Saturday, we have a little informal competition that involves shooting bows along with some other primitive skills. A prize is awarded to the winner (this year's prize is a Snow and Neally Hudson Bay Axe). Later in the day on Saturday we all get together for a big camp feast (bring a dish to pass). We have some nice prizes that we give out at Dinner. On Sunday morning, a English Clout shoot is held with a prize awarded to the Winner. The Shoot attracts a wide variety of folks who all share a love of archery. If a small affordable Shoot is what you are looking for, You may enjoy this one. 

[BrianS]

Here is the scenario for Saturday's Woodswalk. Should be fun.

2008 Selfbow Woodswalk
(Read the following carefully)

One Shot. One Chance. Sometimes its all a Backwoodsman had. One lone opportunity could mean the difference between surviving on the Frontier for another day or perishing. Skill and iron nerves played into it more than luck.

Qualifying for this year’s Woodswalk will be held anytime you wish to try from 9:30 am until 11:00 am at FT Camp. You need only bring one arrow and your bow to the qualifying round.

After the Qualifying is over, the names of all who qualified to shoot in the Woodswalk will be posted at FT Camp. The Woodswalk will start at 1pm at the beginning of blue course. We will be moving fast and traveling light, so again bring only one arrow, your bow and minimal survival gear that would have been common prior to 1800.

This year’s Woodswalk winner will be presented a beautiful Snow and Neally of Maine Hudson Bay Axe and become one of a very select few that have won the Spring Thaw Woodswalk.

[BrianS]

We have recieved some very generous prize donations again this year. Here is a list of some of the prize items that will be given away at this year's Spring Thaw Shoot.

1. A signed and numbered hand crafted curly maple box call with a mahagony lid with silver inlay that was donated by Kevin Raybould of Buffalo Hunter Calls

2. A black walnut handcrafted take down buck saw that was donated by Master Woodworker Ray Gwarek

3. A (Very Cool) Bush Pilot Survival Hatchet

4. A snakeskin arm guard donated by Leathersmith Richard Zawacki

5. Local Western New York Maple Syrup

6. Local non filtered Honey

7. A wingbone turkey caller

8. A set of Amish Cookbooks

9. A Snow and Neally hudson bay axe

plus a few surprises

[BrianS]

During last winter we lost a hickory tree on the club grounds due to a wind storm. Plans are to split some staves out of the log hopefully during the weekend for anyone interested in watching. The bow making area will also be set up under one of the shelters for anyone interested in working on bows or doing any flintnapping etc.

Also to Ryan and the rest of the PA Boys, my money is on one of you guys to win the woodswalk this year.

[Pat B]

If the hickory tree fell last year and you plan on making bows this year, I hope the log was stored properly. It should have been split into staves(or at least in half) and placed in a dry area for proper curing. With osage or locust this isn't necessarily the case but with white woods, it only takes a week or so for fungi to do their work...break down the wood fibers to usable, for them(the fungi), nourishment. Even a whole log that has been placed in a protected area can, and will become effected by fungi because of the moisture within.     Pat

[BrianS]

Thanks Pat,

The tree was wind damaged but alive until just a little over month ago. We had too much snow on the ground until just recently to get it out. Not sure if any fungus started as it has been pretty cold up here. I think their plan is to split it up, store it until it's ready to make bows out of. We just thought it might be a fun thing to do at the shoot.

[BrianS]

The 3D courses are set up. The paper target course will be put up this week. Hope to see some folks from this board at the Shoot.

[Ryano]

Also to Ryan and the rest of the PA Boys, my money is on one of you guys to win the woodswalk this year.

Ya right Brian, you say that every year! lol......

[BrianS]

Ryan,
This is going to be the year for you guys.
See you on Friday,
Brian

[BrianS]

Thank You to all who attended. It sure was a fun weekend.

[Pat B]

Brian, You got any pics of the event you'd like to share?    Pat