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I've met all the famous bowhunters before so this time, for me, there were two highlights, both somewhat personal.

The first was being able to take K114 and Kelly's spirit to the Bowsite function and have so many eager to sign the journal and pay respects to him. He touched more people than he knew.

The second, and this is very personal, was having several well known and highly respected bowhunters come up and introduce themselves, shake my hand, and tell me that something I had written in the past, either in published articles or the BS, had "touched them" in some way, and thanking me for that. When writers put something out there in the ether, we don't know if it will land someplace with meaning, with a thud, or if it will swirl around for a moment and disappear like a dust devil. To know my words had a tiny memorable impact on some hunters and men I deeply respect meant more to me than if I'd won an award. Several of you are on Bowsite. To you, my deepest thanks. Your words impacted me more than you know, and will linger for the rest of my life.

I regret that I had to arrive later and leave earlier than I wanted.

Although I didn't get to meet you Lou--I echo what others have said. One of these days I'll have the privilege of shaking your hand. Great convention.

I met a Senior Member of P&Y Club from California who joined in 1964. That’s 55 years as a Member of this Bow Hunting Club. He’s 92 now. He is celebrating his 70th Class reunion this year at West Point. In 1965 as a pilot in the Air Force he left his family (wife and 4 young daughters) to go to Vietnam and train South Vietnamese airman to fly planes the US had supplied them. I was very moved by his love of flying, country, family and Bow Hunting.

The future of the Club goes to many of you younger Bowsite folks and I believe we are going to be aok. It’s not about our hunting opportunities because that was secured by those before us. It’s about the “next”!!!

1. The generosity of men can overwhelm when we hear just the opposite so much of the time from media. Amazing how "beer talk" one night can lead to a challenge/promise the next day, that can lead to the generosity of raising $13K in a matter of minutes- and all done in fun and for a great cause. Who says hunters aren't conservationist and don't give back to their sport. I dare say this is something which will never be said or seen at any type of an anti-hunting event.

2. I was shocked that there were 5 new world records and one new record beat the old world record by 10 INCHES and there was no Ishi Award. I don't get it.

3. I was successful in meeting many new Bowsiters as well as seeing known Bowsiters while mingling at the convention and at "The Gathering."

4. Friday night when entering the banquet hall, I was surprised and elated that there were ribbons on 2 of the 3 photographs I had entered in the photo contest. What a humbling and fulfilling feeling.

Runner up was seeing all my old friends.....and getting to chat with Lou a couple more times.......you’re a good man, my friend!

Yeah, room 531 was a hoot. Frickin' Ike had me in tears. Pretty sure Reno will be epic in 2021....see you there!

The highlight is always the current residence of Zack Walton who is an awesome proponent of the Club and bowhunting... and also the eye of the storm that is a good time. I labeled him “the mobile frat party” this conference. The guy facilitates a good time besides being an incredible hunter and advocate for conservation and the Club.

But it’s everyone. I met some great people this conference including Brotsky and Half Pint (a huge highlight) along with beav and his son, kike, Cnelk (these guys made me laugh till I pissed my pants) and so many others like Mark and Tavis and the usual suspects. We have a crew that make it every year that you just expect to see like Jim, Mark, Dennis, Charlie, Greg (two of the most genuine guys you’ll ever meet) Lou, Jesse, Ned, Will, Ed, Matty-P (just made that up it sounds good so I’m sticking with it) etc etc and we have such a great time. Finally met both Nicks too. Good times.

Bummer to not have Tim Metcalf (Tim, where were you?) and Hunter there.

There’s guys that many of you know who are regulars on Bowsite, but who don’t post much, like Scott (Demo-bowhunter) who are great guys and make it every year and you’d only be on a first name basis with them if you come to the conventions and hang out with them.

And great to see and talk with the guys who’ve killed so many amazing animals like Frank, Bob, Dan, Lou, Roy, etc.

I thought I’d see Kyle there but I never saw him. I guess I’ll see him in Reno.

I roomed with Will which was an awesome experience too and resulted it too much bourbon being consumed and great conversations.

P.S. t-Roy is a liberal!

P.S.S. Pat gained another 10 lbs (at least he’s not a liberal like t-Roy) and Jake is again the coolest conversation you’ll have, period. Also, Ned didn’t model any women’s lingerie as in conferences past, but word on the street is that he’s still rockin the braziers en casa (Spanish for there’s a bunch of bras nailed to his house).

Thanks to those who came up to me and asked “Are you cnelk?” It was a pleasure to meet and talk with you all.

Room 531 was the loudest place I’ve been. I’m sure my hearing has been compromised!

Also, I found out, According to a discussion with Ike, Im definitely not an Inuit descendant.... haha!

Unfortunately, I have never been to a P&Y convention because the cost and time to go would come out of my next western hunting trip. But, I would go if the convention came to the east coast. Even more unfortunately, then a lot of the western guys that I'd like to meet may not attend. Maybe I live in the wrong part of the country...

I won’t post the pic of your new crossbow from Cabelas that you showed me (in confidence)

My best, Paul (Yea, I am a light weight drinker as I can only handle one beer and MAYBE, a follow up shot before bedtime at 10 PM. At least I was rocked asleep by all the late action, rocking and rolling down the hall way until 3 am so at least, thanks for that.)

I went to my first in 2013 in Dallas. Missed Phoenix, but did St. Louis and this one. I didn't know a single person at Dallas in 2013. Met a couple guys there, and it has snowballed. LOTS of good people.

It's a fun time, and humbling as well :) There were guys in room 531 and the Meet and Greet who kill more animals in a year than I've killed in my entire LIFE!! :)

And they are all good guys!

Bake

Matt

“Also, I found out, According to a discussion with Ike, Im definitely not an Inuit descendant.... haha!”

I found out that I actually may be..... :^ /

The parties in Zack's rooms, both 643 and 531 were entertaining, liver punishing and greatly appreciated. There were many accomplished hunters there to visit with.

The Bowsite meet and greet was fantastic, so thank you Pat and Charlie. Charlie and I got to talk more about our elk hunt this fall.

There wasn't enough time to visit with everyone I wanted to. Next time. Ron

elkstabber, I'm the reason for all of the Diet Pepsi. I use it to water down my Bacardi, so I don't end up like Ike drinking it straight like his bourbon...

I showed up to my first convention four year ago in Phoenix and didn't know a sole, I left this weekend catching up with more friends than I can name. And for the record, I don't want to see anyone again until my liver heals back up and I get a couple more days of sleep!

I do have to say that we all owe the guy in room 530 a huge THANK YOU! I ran into him in the elevator while heading to room 531 for a pre-dinner conversation and he was surprisingly supportive of the after parties and some how said he was able to sleep through it.

Great times and if you've never been, you owe it to yourself to attend even if it's a short time.

It is always great to be surrounded by those who are so accomplished, yet so humble. So reserved, yet so outgoing. So motivated to the pursuit that ends in the loss of life for a specific animal, yet so dedicated to the preservation of wildlife as a whole. Here are some of my highlights:

The Bowsite meet and greet where Pat and Charlie provide an atmosphere for us to come together and interact, while supporting a great cause is always at the top of my list for P&Y. This year was no exception.

Shaking hands and having real conversations with legends that I have admired for decades and having them bum beer off me :)

Looking at amazing trophies from all over NA and realizing that P&Y still makes a difference. And the fact that there were 5 new world’s records shows that the “good old days” are not necessarily in the past.

The show of recognition for those that have dedicated untold amounts of time and effort to the success of P&Y over the years.

Seeing hundreds of people come by my room for a visit (and maybe a drink or two) over the four nights, showed me the power of a common passion. Regardless of where we live, our religious or political believes, our economic situation or how successful we are in the field, we all came together and had conversations about bowhunting.

I truly believe—even if everyone doesn’t feel this way—that there was interaction in rooms 643 and 531 that would have never happened otherwise. That it helped solidify people into a decision to attend the next convention. That many will help support the P&Y Club in more significant ways than if we didn’t have those get togethers. Thank you to all those that helped with the “after hours social outreach” program that we decided to undertake. You know who you are. And yes, thank you to all those staying in the hotel—especially my neighbors—that allowed us to partake and not called the police on us. And thank you to everyone for being so engaged, so polite and so supportive of our group and the P&Y Club.

When I hear people talk about hunters as those that don’t care about animals, I tell them to spend one day with those of us that attend P&Y conventions. When I hear that P&Y doesn’t do enough for conservation, I’ll remind them about the tens of thousands we raised in cash on a whim. And when asked what I am willing to do to support wildlife conservation, I just lift my cap and point to my bald head.

Thanks again everyone for reminding me the reasons we do what we do.

Thanks to Pat and Charlie for the meet and greet, as usual it was fantastic!

Getting to catch up with old friends and make new ones is always the highlight for me. I met a couple of guys from Utah where I live and we’ll most likely share a camp in the future. Too many names to mention of great guys I visited with, appreciate you all!

I’ll second Midwest, Ike is always good to keep you rolling, thanks buddy.

This was my favorite convention to date. I want to personally thank the leadership of PNY, Jim, Ed and team. You guys did a fantastic job on this one. The organization is certainly doing things very well and your efforts are certainly recognized.

Ed, getting flashed at the event was a first for me as well although you got the best look. I won’t forget your “holy $hit” expression.

Awesome all around! You all are the best!

One thing that made me feel good was seeing all the younger folks that got called up for awards. That was a great!

As per critters, that monster new P&Y WR South Dakota Bighorn that is the largest Bighorn ever taken by a hunter, gun or bow is something!

The new P&Y WR Alaskan Brown Bear had to seen to believed too, both the life size mount and the skull. Awesome animal!

Ned I don’t know how I forgot that...ha

And it was good to find out Embry is a Cubs fan.

Sad that I didn’t get to spend more time with a number of people that I really wanted to spend more time with.

Highlights for me included getting to see and talk with many of the people that I consider to be my best friends that I don’t get to see as often as I would like.

I met a lot of people that I have been really wanting to meet face to face and got to spend at least a little bit of time with many of them.

I got the opportunity to congratulate a number of parents that brought their children to the event and see that the torch is still burning brightly with many of our young men and women.

I was actually sad to not be able to spend even more time with quite a few that I have spoken with, read about and admired for many years. I wish I could have had more time with so many!

Donald Trump Jr. far exceeded my expectations and I truly enjoyed getting to spend time discussing our shared passion for bowhunting with him late into Friday night.

Being in awe of the number and variety of huge trophy animals and five new world record animals. We are truly blessed with the most amazing animals and conservation practices in the world to have such amazing animals to pursue. So great to get to congratulate the hunters personally for their achievements.

Blown away by how many great people there are in our Pope and Young Club with such strong convictions to donate to ensure that all of this continues to be relevant.

Overall, absolutely the most amazing convention I have attended.

Thank you to all of the people that worked so hard to make this a success and to all of the members for their passion.

I can not wait till the next one!

Highlights for us were getting to see some of our old Bowsite friends like Troy and Chris and of course meeting all the friends we had online we've never met that have followed along with half pint's adventures over the past 4-5 years. We were able to visit with Treeline, Ron Niziolek, Mark Watkins, Paul Navarre, Zack, Rick and Lana, Ike, Cnelk, Bake, Nick D and Nick M, JTreeman, Charlie, and I'm certain I'm forgetting others and you'll have to forgive me if I do! Half Pnt had people talking to her all weekend and she felt so welcomed and part of this bow hunting brotherhood we all share. I really wanted to have a chance to visit more with Bowsiters like Beav, Lou, Will, Eyad, Kota, Pat, and countless others that we either never got the chance to meet or barely met in passing.

This club has a mission I believe so strongly in and aligns so perfectly with the passion and values of our family, we look forward to doing our part in any way we can to support that mission.

It's going to be a much too long two years until we again get to see everyone and celebrate our bow hunting heritage!

Here ya go...Steve ( KiKe) was staying my room. After more than a few cocktails (Steve not me) We both went to sleep around 1am.

Around 2-230 the phone rings in the room...It’s the front desk “excuse me we have a Steven down here he says he in your room and he locked himself out”

I go open the door when he shows back up and he’s in his tightly whiteys ... and that’s all. I don’t know weather to describe his skin as milky white or pasty white ... there is a difference ya know. Turns out the bathroom door was placed too close to the front door and in his state Steve couldn’t figure which was which and locked himself out of the room. I’d love to be able to get the security footage of the entire episode...

Thank you Pat and Charlie for putting together another great meet and greet. I left it with a new free haircut and likely will not need another haircut for several months. Thanks Zack Walton for putting together the fundraising portion and all those who donated. Mark Watkins thank you for making it extra special with your gracious donation.

It was a very successful convention with a lot of fun had and none us of going to the hospital.

Until 2021 I hope all of your arrows fly true!!

I say it again. There was no incident.

I agree with ki-ke, that's just a typical night in NJ....lol

The Ki-Ke incident (from all credible accounts, there WAS an incident) definitely gave me the biggest laugh...

Everyone knows the guy in the middle, noone knows the guy on the left and the guy on the right has tracked (without dogs) down and killed 2 mountain lions with recurve. He has been within 20 yards of 100 or so, all tracked on foot, just because he liked to do it....I got to hang out with all of 'em. Met Ike Henry (Idyllwild), who has FANTASTIC stories, both hunting and Dr. type. He also told me I may be an Inuit man.... : ^ | Paul N. may be one of the nicest humans on the planet, Nick M. is living the dream, Ned, Matt P., Lou......and 100 others were all a great pleasure to meet!

Being part of a small group of guys that put together a fat envelope for Wildlife Conservation was kinda cool. The easy and spontaneous generosity of a select few was inspiring.

I repeat, I don't remember an "incident".....

The vast majority of world records do not receive the Ishi, and there cannot be more than one awarded at any convention. Most conventions do not award one despite an average of about four new WRs per convention.

There are a couple of deer, and probably some other current world records, that have stood for 30 years or longer, that did not receive the Ishi when they were eligible. I always felt that in the years that Board determines that none of the new WRs are worthy of the Ishi, they should look back to some of those very old longstanding records and consider giving them the Ishi now.