Hosted by Traditional Bowhunters of Montana
By Janet Houlihan
The magical rock formations of the Lolo Hot Springs, Montana area formed a perfect backdrop for the three courses of 3D archery targets that were placed off the dirt tracts and trails that wound above the hot springs resort and pool. Archers and Vendors began arriving on Thursday and Friday to set up camps, park trailers and get a head start on shooting the courses. A brand new wall tent for registration and as a raffle prize was pitched and welcoming the many archers coming from all directions.
The Idaho group gathered around Pat Lopez’s Base Camp Archery display, most of them arriving on Thursday, with tents spread out around the fire-pit by Matt Garner’s camp. Jack Wassard, Thom Tash, Kirk Skovlin, John Warford, Ralph Grieninger, Adam Floyd and his children, Wyatt and Liza, the Garner boys Wyatt and Barrett were greeters as Bill and I arrived on Friday to park our trailer next to Clint Belyea. Madison Childers and her family from the Couer d’Alene, Idaho area arrived and she agreed to the invitation to become our new ITB secretary! Thank you, Madison!
After Saturday registration, groups of shooters climbed the trails to shoot and score the courses and enjoy the scenery. Alex and Nancy New showed up from Oregon with their new 3 month old baby, Eva, and took her out shooting the courses in a baby pack! Way to go!
Saturday afternoon Mike Schlegel showed up in time for the water torture shoot followed by a delicious potluck barbecue with piles of pulled pork and a table heaped with great food. We were treated to live music going into the starry night.
Sunday was more shooting, turning in score cards, and gathering for the awards and a wonderful generous raffle. The Montana shooters were amazing shots, posting very high scores, but Adam Floyd did Idaho proud by coming in third place in the men’s longbow division, using a Pat Lopez bow, Wyatt Garner was a Youth division third place for longbow using a Pat Lopez bow, and Eliza Floyd was a third place winner for Pee Wees, with an awesome fiberglass bow.
The Montana folks did an excellent job of hosting the shoot and have a wonderful, welcoming, friendly family of archers. Thank you Montana Traditional Bowhunters!! It was a delightful and beautiful event! I’m sure I probably missed listing some Idaho shooters, please forgive me. The weekend was a whirlwind of great shooting, camaraderie, good food, talented vendors displaying archery gear, perfect weather, and just plain old fun and games!
