I'm exhausted guys, as GMMAT mentioned in the other thread, man did I choke![&:]

Prior to the HNI meet and greet I caught Rick James (Matt) coming off the range after a pair of targets. Unfortunately a star shooter from his area came and turned in an exceptional score, a 299, 19 up to knock Matt off the qualifing round. Matt I believe shot a 270.



But first thing first. I had a great time today. Around 1:00 as mentioned many of HNI's "celebrities"..lol gathered around the Ultimate Camo booth to meet, greet and shake hands.

Picture below are those attendies.



Left to Right,

Kneeling are Diesel77 (Andy), Mantis Mayar (Fran) and rybohunter (Ryan)
second row, Rick James (Matt), Kidd642 (Frank) and Bullmoose38 (Adam), not pictured his wife HollyHoyt.
Back row, Gundeck (Ron), Jawshooter (Dan), Matt / PA and Rob/PA Bowyer.

not pictured as well, we met series22 and bowtechben in the archery arena.

Great to meet all of you and I look forward to all your pictures as well. I know Andy (Diesel77) took some pictures during the shoot as well. Frank (Kidd642) took video I'm not sure they can post or not.

Pictured below is yours truly telling Matt / PA what Mantis Mayar said about recognizing everyone. I made mention that we all look different without hats, camo or deer in front of us and Mantis (Fran) said and yeah, you (me) without a half rack laying there. [8D]

Rob waving his hands with Diesel77 behind in his Ultimate camo, Mantis Mayar, Matt/PA and Kidd7642.



Below, Kidd642 was caught flirting with my wife while she took a picture.



A picture of the range:



Matt and I waiting in the warm up area, an 8 yard shot we didn't even get to shoot. Started cold on the line.



Matt and I were lucky enough to get paired up to shoot.

Through the first 18 targets, 2 points seperate Matt and I. Matt was one up, I was one down. We started on two difficult targets, started cold. Matt was first and 10'd a 43ish yard standing bear. I twelved my first target and then we switch. I believe Matt 12'd the same target next to my arrow and I was up to shoot the standing bear. I knew the yardage, touched off the release and went high for a 5. Okay, got that out of the way, time to climb.

Matt at full draw/ middle in the picture just beyond me and just past the women in the orange shirt:



And me at full draw, same location:




Matt and I up at the top pulling and scoring arrows:



Matt and I waiting on the line near the begining of the line. We have about a dozen targets left at this time. Matt is just down and I'm way down. I went to hell after about 20 targets. I'm not sure what happened but a friend of mine said I was pushing my bow and suddenly I shot several targets straight high consistantly and nailed a couple more 5's. I had a great time but my finish went to hell in a hand basket.



Matt finished the round 1 up for a 281. He had a real roll going and shot his only 5 late in the shoot. He finished hard with 12's on the 3 of our final 4 targets. Great shooting Matt.

Me on the other hand, I shot 30 points under my qualifying round of 286. Like I said, hell in a handbasket very quickly toward the end. I'm not sure it was fatigue or mind games. I just couldn't stop shooting high. I had the yardages locked but sent my arrows straight high. It was mental mistakes. I shoot tomorrow and I have to save face to me and me alone. I'm my own biggest competitor.

I want to thank everyone who was able to make the mini gtg and stick around to watch us shoot. It was my utmost honor to shake all of your hands.

Gundeck, Mantis, Diesel77, series22, Jawshooter, Rick James, Matt / PA, Kidd642, rybohunter, Bullmoose38, HollyHoyt, bowtechben pleasure to spend some time with ya'll.