Toxophilite Index

Next Article

President’s Thoughts

I hope everyone had a good bow season. Mine was memorable as I succeeded on a couple of occasions to call bulls into range; what a kick! One of my hunting friends, Brent Okita, took his first archery elk while hunting solo in the late season and so in my mind that is one of the year’s highlights even though I wasn’t there to enjoy the moment. He is a guy who puts a great amount of effort into archery hunting so I am extremely happy for him; he deserves the success.

The Fish & Wildlife Commission is beginning to delve into a Wolf Conservation and Management Plan for Washington. You might want to keep your eyes on that issue. Because of exploding populations and increasing conflicts with humans, some other western states are in the process of trying to get the wolf de-listed so that they can be managed by the state game agencies. There was an incident in Alaska only a few of weeks ago where three women were surrounded by a pack of seven wolves and were lucky to have escaped injury, although one of their dogs was seriously mauled during the encounter. Wolves used to fear humans but no longer. People will die before we get our collective heads out of the dark and once again set the balance right amongst the top predators, of which we are one.

You can look forward to another great year of traditional archery activities in Washington; you will find an events calendar in this newsletter as well as at www.tbwonline.org. The TBW events alone number eight: Puyallup Sportsmen’s Show, Banquet, Monroe Sportsmen’s Show, Stump Thump, Moses Lake, WAJAM, Rendezvous and the Mid-Season Tune-Up. How about all that?! And several clubs put on traditional shoots as well. There is plenty of opportunity to get out and enjoy the camaraderie and also, if you are able, to lend a hand now and then. The efforts of the few who drive TBW continue to impress me. To those of you who take the time to give an occasional pat on the back, thank you for that; it means a lot to know you are having some fun.

Sadly, every now and then there is a bad apple. As the 2007 members’ rendezvous was winding down and folks were departing, I saw a man I recognized leaving the event who had not registered. That shoot is the most affordable weekend of bow and arrow entertainment that can be had in this state. He ought to be ashamed for sneaking in and out without paying dues and shoot fees; and if I ever see it happen again, he will be, because his name (and it would only take his first) and actions will appear in this column. I promise. Secondly, when the weather is tinderbox dry and we say, “No fires” that means no fires. The landowner reported finding a fire pit in his pasture. We don’t need to be wearing out our welcome by ignoring his wishes. Maybe everyone can help by noticing what goes on around us and speaking up if something isn’t right.

There is a new book available from the Pope & Young Club called “A Traditional Journey” and from what I’ve heard it is very special. Featuring only Pope & Young qualified entries that were taken with traditional gear, along with many old-time hunting stories and hunting how-to’s, it sounds like it would make a fine addition to an archery hunter’s library.

Please note the new location for the banquet which is coming up on February 16. I hope to see you there in Puyallup.

Have Fun,

Dale