Gun & Archery show report
Wisconsin
Great show . Best traffic in years . By the end of the show all the recurves, compounds, & arrows were gone. I bought a dozen 70's vintage Bear cedars for 35 bucks . Sold them an hour later for 80 .
Shotguns slow except for turkey type . Deer rifles, short action , ( .243 , 7/08 , 308 , 6.5 Creedmoore) strong .
The new Ruger Gen - 2 rifles sold out quickly . IT will be this year's hot seller . I ordered one in .223 & .308 .
Auto loader Handguns . Bringing top dollar & selling fast . We sold out , everything from $ 250 Taurus 's to $ 900 beretta 's . Times have changed , people love the lasers & reflex sites that I install on most . Large bore revolvers are soft . Not many people looking for $ 850 Rugers & $ 1200 Smith & Wessons. Guy next to me had 18 on his table & took 16 home .
Ammo just about normal except for .410 . Lots of couples buying self defense guns . Lots of them are concerned about the future .
Had a long talk with a lady that was referred to me at the gunshow . I now have a 9 am appt tomorrow at her father's farm . I have to give her a buy price on 82 firearms , a pantry full of ammo , & approx. 100 knives that belong to her father who passed away 3 months ago .
Geez , I know where I'll be all day Monday.
In Merrill by the fair grounds.
Glenn, you see any good deals on browning BT's? I'm in the market for a trap gun but am not going go to the high dollar ones. Am looking at the Stevens single barrel trap gun, it shoulders nice.
Here's one. Yesterday was surfing. Was at local bow shop, they had everything. 3 hunting stores in town. Currently axis deer is very good, ends at the end of month.
Some of you will love this, NO CROSSBOWS, except disabled. Locals are anti xbow. Most are Hoyt shooters.
This is from Maui. Pretty layed back. Lots of hunting opportunities, more open land than I imagined, but can be very rugged.
Have no coming back plans, for awhile. Work is only 4 days a week, all 3day weekends.
First time on phone in awhile. To everyone, MALOHA....
LOL, enjoy GH, no hula girls to talk about!!!!
Live, I just bought a new gun for myself and will probably be selling my current BT. I also have a buddy who just won a new Tri Star that he wants to sell. PM me if you have any interest.
Busy morning , brought home 250 lbs of shotgun ammo . 281 knives , 12 rifles , 2 shotguns , & 5 handguns .
Going back Tuesday for rifle ammo , scopes, & enough reloading stuff the fill the vehicle . And another 55 knives .
I have a BT that I would rehome. 32” barrel, factory Chokes and a Briley IM choke. SKB break down case for it if interested. Approximately 500 rounds through it. Action is still like new stiff.
DT, that gun is not even broken in yet!
Will , I have shows the 1st 2 weeks of April . If you still have the BT then drop it off at the house .
Dt what vintage bt and specs you mite sell?
I got it in 2020. Specs are in my post above. Feel free to message me for any specific questions you might have.
Spent the day sorting a 1000lbs of ammo . Lots of military. Lots of handgun. Shotgun , .410 , 20 , 16 ,& 12 gauge. Lots of rare or hard to get ammo .
Not much common Deer cartridge ammo . But what I have is nice . Example: 25-06 Hornady custom loads , 117 gr . $44 at the store , my price 20 .
Picking up more guns & Archery stuff tomorrow. Garage is getting full . The next few weeks will be a good time to visit .
Not yet Nick but I still have another tub to go thru . Tomorrow I'm getting the archery & fishing " stuff " . Supposedly enough to fill the Jeep . Also picking up 55 scopes & aim points .
Picked up 500 round of 38 special, 500 rounds of 30 carbine & more . Lots of Archery gear including this homemade Crossbow. Plus 1000's of nocs & inserts . A bag full of finger gloves & arm bans . And more .
Glenn, let me know if you have any decent scopes. My son's 207 bolt is in need of a decent scope. Maybe in his day he will have deer to hunt!!! LOL.
I used to deal with Point sporting goods many years ago, as a wholesale purchaser. Was quite familiar with their products. I never knew they had their own branded arrows, interesting. Remember getting their product catalog every year. The prices shown were retail, but the wholesale price was coded with letters from " O-FISH-AL " That was when they were located downtown on main st.
Herb , it's interesting that all 25 point arrows have bodkin type 3 blades on them .
Live I have 66 scopes some fairly new , some very old .
Those Point arrows have MA-3-L broadheads on them The Make-All series of broadheads were also, like the L.C. Whiffen Bod-Kin broadheads, made in Milwaukee.
Those arrows could easily be 60 years old. Potential of having collectors value. How much, eye of the beholder.
Oldhunter , 6 arrows and the box $ 20 for you . Spent 6 hours working on the piles . There's a tub of 200 knives I have not opened yet .
Ruger are the .30 carbine factory loads? Old surplus?
String a little of each . Federal classic, WW2. Some 20 & 30 year old . They were well stored . About 140 rounds . $ 30 for all .
Ruger Any chance you came across some 303-savage ammo?
Solo , sorry no .303 savage .
I picked up a 22 mag from Norm.
Finished of the purchase . Bought 8 more guns , 7 doz arrows , a box of archery " stuff " , and a 50 lb box of bases , rings , all types of sites , & other gun stuff.
The garage is getting a bit crowded. Feel free to stop by .
Ruger, I am new to the sight. I see you buy old traditional bows. I would like to get a traditional bow. Would it be better to start with a new or used one?
A nice used would be my choice until you decide your going to jump in to Trad archery with a full commitment.
I have a 1/2 doz recurves in the 40 to 45lb range .40 bucks with arrows .
Ruger,I would be interested in those bows for sale. Would you send me a contact number. Thanks.
Gray , I live in the Merrill area . Message sent .
I thought I was the only guy looking for .303 Savage ammo. I’ve only found two boxes, in Sauk City.
I know I should be looking for information on a black powder forum probably, but I am wondering if anyone knows who I could talk to about the value and history of a George Spangler Black powder rifle. I believe he made them in the mid 1800s near Monroe. I don't know who to talk to, or a good black powder forum to go to and ask and would appreciate any help in recommending someone who has knowledge of these unique southern Wisconsin rifles.
Just bought 11 tackle boxes full of lures & 6 rod & reel setups . The garage is getting full . Tuesday I'm picking a few 9's & a Remington model 14 in 30 Remington with 11 boxes of ammo . 2 more bows & a bunch of arrows & accessories When it rains it pours .
Roger, Any .410 shotgun shells? Do you have a storefront in Merrill?
Been to 2 gun shows since I have been back. Lots of 410 ammo, but the sportsmen rummage sales still hold better prices.
Predator, I work out of my garage . Had 6 boxes of 2 1/2 in & 7 boxes of 3 inch . Sold them all . Most ammo is back to normal availability now except. 410 is still scare at times & still brings a premium. I do have 2 5 packs of .410 Turkey loads & a 1/2 box of slugs.
Ruger - thank you. I am also looking for aluminum arrows - Easton XX78 in 2315.
I just picked up 8 doz aluminum arrows. I'll check them .
Came close xx75 in 2314 . I was also given a tackle box of archery stuff . Lots of goodies including this 5 inch vise grips & a blondie cassette. What a score .
OH plus 3 Fred Bear finger tabs & 2 gloves.
Huge score with the rare Blondie cassette tape ????
Not sure if it has any value. I'm a huge fan of Debby. I do have a bunch of cassette players including a Walkman I wear when Trout fishing . This poster was signed by Debby for me in 1978 . That has some value .
410 still was over priced in Beaver Dam. Lots of trad stuff going cheap now. New in the box, Macs Archery, and Bear, arrows, with either razorheads, or Bodkins or MA3s, 20.00 a box. Lots of old compounds, just sitting....... However, I bought a moving decoy from a guy, and saw a LW stand go for 45.00 and LW sticks were 10 a stick This weekend big show in Fond du lac
Did the 3 day Antigo show. Great crowd s Friday & Saturday. Sold 18 guns , 5 bows , & a 1000 lbs of ammo .
Show hi lights . Bought a WW2 kabar fighting knife used by a highly decorative Marine . Will build a inclosed shadow box with pictures.
Sunday a guy brought in Gramps 1866 yellow boy in 44 RF . Nice clean honest guns from Georgia. I looked it over & offered 4000. He stopped back & I had to go to 5200 . He continued getting bids on the Winchester .
Called a Winchester collector buddy in Idaho . He said go to 8 grand . I did . Gun went for 8800 .
Bought a Henry Golden Boy today. NIB, he was hedging but got it, for 400.00
Right now he is trying to sell a Master Express, by Mike Steliga, Mike does not build that bow anymore, 50 lbs. Lefty. Wants 500.00 for it
Glenn , you going to Fond du lac this weekend?
No Mike , I 'm finished with gunshows until fall . Time to start garden seeds & chase some Walleyes. And prepare for a 2 week western trip to visit 2 daughters .
Plus I still have a ton of ammo & a bunch of guns that need work or deep cleaning.
Anyone have a Browning A bolt in .243, .270, or .308? If so let me know
Grunter I have had & sold A bolts in 243 , 6.5 , & .308 this past 6 months . I'LL keep an eye out .
Grunted, big show in Fond du lac this weekend if your close, I just sold one with scope for 600.00, but it was a Medallion, with removable magazine. A
Please let me know if you get another!
Grunter I sent you a PM. Let me know if you get it.
Gusto-got it, sent reply thanks
Mathews monster chill X , like new , loaded with case , quiver , arrows , release . 50 lb , R H . $ 175
Glenn. Where is that ? And what draw length?
In Merrill , I took it in on trade for a shotgun . Draw length? The bow is marked 50 x 26 . But it feels like 28 . Very silky smoth . Wish it was a Lefty.
Fun show in Fond du lac,, Guy selling out collection, never fired or used Shakespere Necedah recurves, 45 lbs.....45 to 100 dollars. 410 ammo coming down quite a bit. Tons of rifles and shotguns, going out the door. Very well attended for the first day.
I regret selling my Chill it’s a great bow.
I've got a Chill-X now, good bow. My back-up bow. The last few bows I've owned have all been Mathews, right now that's the brand I go with.
Went to a private.sale this afternoon Besides guns, picked up a nice Bear Kodiak, quiver and sites Pretty cool, the original owner had the deer he shot, put on the riser. It's RH, so will sell at Trad shoot. I am thinking 50.00.... The guy had over 50 broadheads, from Zwickey, Pearson's, Razorheads, even some LaHas designed... sold a ll those today Lots of cool stuff out there
Groundhunter...I assume you were referring to LaHa. If so, I am curious, which broadhead(s) did Art LaHa design?
Case, it appeared as a harpoon style head, I should have paid more attention. The guy had notes with the heads. Maybe I should have hung onto some, but he bought the whole box. I don't think LaHa officially had his own head, maybe it wax one of his Alaskan heads. I know a guy in Land O Lakes, that knows everything related to LaHa, I will ask him. Going back to the UP, next week.
Groundhunter - Thanks for the comments, appreciate the response. I would be very surprised if at this time we were to discover LaHa did design a broadhead. Back in the eighties I talked to Art many times (at his "The Bear" bar in Winchester) and did discuss my broadhead collection and broadheads in general with him. He never mentioned, at that time, that he had designed a broadhead which was manufactured and marketed. Even when he was associated with American Archery Company in Oconto Falls and the company was producing the Sabre model broadhead (2, 4, and 6 blade versions) he seems to have not been involved with their designs. I once interviewed Chuck Ramsey (sales rep for Am. Archery in 1960s) and also Larry Armstrong (former president and general manager of Am. Archery) and LaHa's name came up. At no point in time did either of these men mention LaHa having anything to do with the Am. Archery Sabre broadheads. And lastly, after LaHa passed in 1994 I spoke with his daughter Connie G. a number of times and she never mentioned him having anything to do with with designing or marketing a broadhead. If he did design a broadhead I believe it is a well kept secret. If your friend, the "guy in land O Lakes, that knows everything related to LaHa", has credible information related to LaHa designing a broadhead, I'd sure like to talk to him. I'm always open to uncovering new and formerly unknown information relating to WI bowhunting history. It's fascinating but unfortunately there are those who tell tales of WI bowhunting history based on rumor or what is convenient to mention per their suppositions.
Case, I agree with you. At met Mr LaHa up Winchester, when he would show his films to the people at the retirement homes. He had a great bear camp. Did you ever participate in one of his infamous deer drives?
Anyway, come to think of it, that head, looked like an old Sabre. This guy, who sadly had to be put in a home, who knows, why he marked what he did, and why. He was a dear friend of a good friend of mine.
Maybe he knew Art, and Art just gave him a head,? Or he was a collector himself?
There is alot of history out there, some true, some made up.
When I look at antique arms, I always wonder where they have been.
I will ask my friend Rick on this.
I feel certain there are, or were, some contributors to this forum who hunted at "The Bear" (that was the name of his combination bar, steak house, & bowhunting camp) with Laha when he was active and making his well-known drives. I wish I could say I was one of them, but I cannot. By the time I began going up there (probably about 1985) Art had retired from leading the drives, driving the bus, and coordinating all the bowhunting activity at his camp. By then he was a "fixture" or a "draw" so to speak and was not actively bowhunting.
What follows is an excerpt from my book THE HISTORY OF WISCONSIN BOWHUNTING:
"LaHa officially retired from guiding bowhunters at the end of the 1983 season, but kept his lodge open to accommodate bowhunters for many years. To celebrate his successful decades of guiding bowhunters, his daughters Judy and Connie, planned a special surprise for him at his retirement. They contacted as many of his former clients as possible and asked each to send a letter telling of a special hunt, a fond memory, or a good laugh they had shared with LaHa.
The letters came flooding in by the hundreds, along with numerous photos. Much of the correspondence was assembled into a huge scrapbook and what wouldn't fit was carefully preserved to go with the scrapbook.
When the book and the accompanying overflow was presented to LaHa rumor has it that he spent the next three days laying on the couch reading what had been sent by his former clients. While on the surface it seemed the letters simply told stories, in reality he was hearing distant voices that spoke of the respect, affection, and gratitude he had earned from others. The stories resonated as fading echoes of days gone by but each joined another and another until collectively they became a common voice saying, in a multitude of ways. "Hello again, we wish you well old friend." Here lay a man in the autumn of his years reaping a harvest sown over a lifetime. Could there be any better testament to a life well lived?"
No, there could not Case. Wish I could have hunted with him or heard him talk of hunts gone by.
Looking at his old films this afternoon, I bet he gave out alot of mementos to friends. Alas this guy has lost his memory, wish I could talk to him, he is in his 90s....God Bless him.....
Anyone going to Ojibwa Trad Shoot this weekend? Always a good one....I am going Sunday am, great club, fun group. Can not shoot anymore, but still go to sell, hang out, donation to WTA, and club.
Also Sat 830 to 130pm. Daniel Boone Sportsmen Club, Hartford, having Gun and Sportsmen Rummage sale. Never been to this one, but heard it's a good one, so am going.
Anyone interested in Thunderheads, 150 grain. New in the boxes, 50.00 for all 3 boxes
Groundhunter - I'll take the Thunderheads, all 3 boxes. Pls send your contact info in a PM & I'll send payment. Thanks.
Done. Bought them from Gregory Schweir, he says hi,, Great stuff here, bought Barronett Radar Ground blinds from an estate sale here, new cond. 45.00 a blind.
Bill ,nice purchase of the Thunderheads from GH, Still my favorite heads although the new ones I bought last yr weren’t nearly as sharp as they used to be , Made overseas now I believe, Nice to get your hands on some of the older ones, GH great deal on the ground blinds , That is an awesome price
I 'm on a 6 week roll . Bought 18 more guns . 4 .22 rifles, 4 Black powder, 5 Mausers . 4 tubs of gun parts. Garage is now full .
The Bowsiter that wanted the Mathews , it's available if you want it .
Good crowd in baraboo for the gun show
