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All bowhunters in Wisconsin are invited to attend. Hint, Saturday is the best day with the most to do and see! The banquet is that evening. There's still time to register but you've got to act quickly, registration closes Monday. Call (715) 823-4670. You do not have to be a WBH member to attend the convention or the banquet. Welcome to all. Hope to see you there!

Thanks

Some WBH members have outdoor and/or bowhunting related items they no longer need and are willing to part with. The items are then brought to the convention by the member and checked in. The WBH accepts these items and puts them on display for all to see. Interested parties may examine what is brought in and then place a written bid on the item(s) they would like; there's a sign-up sheet with each item and the bidder simply writes his/her name on the sheet along with their bid. At a specified time ( and this is announced for all to know), bidding is closed and the highest bidder is able to purchase that item for the bid specified. The WBH and the donor member then divide equally the $$$ received. It is anticipated that some members will forgo the 50/50 split and donate the entire amount to the WBH.

This silent auction is a fund raising activity for the WBH and is being modeled after silent auctions held by other organizations.

Since this is the first year of our silent auction the WBH is requesting members limit their contribution to one or two items of good quality archery equipment. In future years, the list of new or used items in good working condition will, undoubtedly, be expanded.

This is the silent auction procedure as I believe it is going to happen. I hope I have explained it accurately and completely. If not, I apologize and ask for some latitude here as we all adjust to this new opportunity for convention attendees to acquire quality items at a reduced cost, and as members are able to assist the WBH with their donations.

"...a whole new respect for a couple long time members that really showed their true colors this weekend." Everyone who heard what they said witnessed outstanding understanding and concern for their fellow man. Although you did not identify the situation, most that were there know exactly what you are talking about. The result became one of redemption borne of respect and, it could be argued, could not have had a better outcome. It was, and remains, a heartfelt moment.

Tom Miranda tailored his presentation to WI and WI bowhunters across the state. There were times when everyone was 100% hard focused on him and you could almost, except for his voice, have heard a pin drop. He captured everyone's attention and we all walked away richer for the experience. Good man, good speaker, great bowhunter. What more could you ask for speaker at a bowhunter's banquet?

The whole convention was good. Seeing old friends from across the state, and meeting new folks. Meeting guys you know on-line and then being able to connect a name with a face. It was all good. There were two guys at my banquet table from over near Milwaukee who were not WBH members. By the end of the dinner they both said they were going to join! Some pretty impressive trophies brought in for the displays,...guys got 'em last fall. Big racks. One full body mount of a huge Black Bear. Very impressive. The NASP tournament for our youth went off well, 100's of kids shot & had fun,...tomorrow's archers & bowhunters. We need 'em.

Next year the convention is in Stevens Point at the Holiday Inn. That will be another great time. The guys that are not members of the WBH and do not come to this convention are missing out on a great experience! You owe it to yourself to be there!

The mean population center for Wisconsin is almost due East of the Dells near Green Lake.

Remember it takes a lot of time and hard work to set up a convention. It also isn't something that happens over night......

The WBH leadership is aware that a annual convention has not been held in the northern part of the state since,....well, maybe forever. In all honesty, I am not sure when or even if there was ever one north of Eau Claire. Be that as it may, everyone realizes that most/all conventions lately have been held near to the central part of the state and not up north. The leadership has heard this from the membership and is attempting to respond.

As of late, the response has taken two forms.

First, an informal survey was taken this past weekend at the annual convention in the Wisconsin Dells. A questionnaire was handed out to all attendees and their opinions regarding annual convention locations were sought. The members were asked to turn in their completed questionnaires for the WBH leadership to review.

Then secondly, due to the concerns of the northern WBH members who are requesting a convention in their area, I prepared an article for this upcoming issue of the WBH magazine, "The BOWHUNTER". In an attempt to be as accurate as possible and to not provide any misleading information, I did consult with members of the WBH Executive Board on this issue. Their input was both helpful and valuable. This article does go into some detail on the venue requirements, scheduling concerns, and price considerations. When I wrote the article I tried to illustrate a few of the complexities involved in selecting a convention site, and I believe I did. However, I further believe this will not satisfy all WBH members, probably mostly those living in the northern section of the state. Beyond trying to explain the how and why decisions concerning selecting a convention site are made as they are, I am at a loss to offer any additional explanation.

The next issue of the WBH magazine will be coming out this spring and there will be follow-up on this convention location concern in that issue. I believe then you will be made aware of how the decision is made. Whether or not you will agree with any particular decision remains to be seen, but at least then you will have an understanding of how & why the decisions are made as they are.

If any WBH member has an issue with something related to bowhunting or the association, I urge that member to contact and discuss it with the Director in their area. All Director's names and contact information are listed in every issue of "The BOWHUNTER".

Thanks for asking Rut,...I think this question needed to be asked. If, after my article comes out, you still have concerns I would welcome hearing from you again.

As far as I know Eau Claire is the northernmost city the convention has been held in and that was back in the 80s. Explanations will be more i the article. But I have some suggestion; those bowhunters (member and non member) should petition the BOD and/or attend the business meeting to show that there would be attendance at a northern location. Would hunters from the southern part of the State attend? The interstate is in the area so roads might not be much of an issue.

There are not a lot of sportshow up here and fewer 3d shoots but both the Association and hunting community could make a better show at these to see if there is the interest. I know that WBH membership is low in District One so how can we get more hunters to sign up and attend?

I travel to other conventions all across the US, so a 4-5 hour drive is a walk in the park for me.

You don't have to be a member to attend the Vendor Display or seminars on Saturday. The cost is $5 to get in and see the stuff and sit in on the seminars. Might be a good chance to meet some of the people here and see what it's all about.

I remember when his son, posting under Bow_Tech lied about who he was and pretended to meet Ronny at Deer Fest and would not post a pic of himself. That of course was after he was posting under a different alt and posted pics of his vacation to MX and someone recognized him. The whole family is one cuckoo mess. It makes for good reading though.

Talk about living rent free... Good grief.

Do they hold a decent edge?

I can tell you that I know of no "official" program by any organization that is attempting to get archery introduced into a WI school physical education curriculum, at any grade or age level. I do think the best thing we have going for us is NASP (as Woods & Skook mentioned). This is a fairly young program, but it has grown by leaps and bounds and has now spread across the U.S. Literally, tens of thousands of youth across our country are involved in the program and it has done wonders for promoting archery and, in turn, bowhunting. Plus, let me add that many, many individual bowhunting clubs have specified and dedicated programs for young members. The WBH has a youth membership plan and publishes a youth edition of "The BOWHUNTER." The WBH sponsors a NASP tournament each year at their annual convention. Other clubs in WI dedicate many man-hours each year to youth archery teaching shooting skills and trying to recruit youngsters into the ranks. You go to the state fair in Milwaukee and you'll see an area manned by volunteer instructors teaching rudimentary shooting skills to youngsters. Attend the WI Deer and Turkey Show at the Dane County Fairgrounds next month and you'll see a youth shooting booth manned by volunteers from the WTA and the WBH,...they've done this every year for years! Likewise, other "deer shows" across the state have youth areas set aside and are trying to recruit young Robin Hoods.

Bowhunters across WI have taken it upon themselves to try to get kids involved. It seems a shame it is not being done within the educational system as a curriculum option. I am thinking we need someone to step up, lead the charge and get this introduced!

The question is, who?

I would think the WBH sees the connection too.