HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

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.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Congratulations to you guys atleast you made it that far!! I wouldnt have even made it through qualifying, Rob just do your thing forget the pressure. Congrats again. on a side note, did you guys have to shoot the elk and the caribou on the top deck??

Ryan.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Rob,

Sorry it didn't turn out like you wanted, but it sure looks like you had a good time.

Great pictures, sorry I could be there today, but I look forward to shooting with you tomorrow.

Take care and get some rest.

Brian

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

It was nice to meet all of you too!:)

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Great post Rob, excellent pictures. Seems there was a solid crowd built up. Too bad it didn't work out for ya, but that's one heck of a course, and either way it's an accomplishment just to make it to the finals. What was the final breakdown of finishers in the finals? About tomorrow, I won't be able to make it, my dad and I are trying to get some work done on some framing/drywall work around the house. Rare time I actually am home for a weekend for once. Have fun tomorrow. I also order strings/cables, if you're still interested, I'll be in touch about setup.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

To matt and rob it was my honor to set and watch u guys. i have wanted to get into target shootin but dont have anyone to go do it with up here. but i really think this year i will try to do a couple dont know where though. once again guys it was great meetin u all look forward to meetin u all in the future.


Jeremy

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

ROB YOU SUCK!!! LOL Just kidding buddy it happens to the besto of us. The same thing happens to me at the state indoor shoot with my recurve. Im good to lose 30-50 pts when I shoot down there. I swear this year that is not gonna happen though!!!:)Wish I could have made it down to meet everyone. Just too much stuff to do around here. Maybe this summer we can plan a HNI get together here in Central PA and have a 3D shoot or something.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Rob, I guess my making a food run was well timed....Get em next time or tomorrow for that matter. We were late getting down there and the girls and a friend of mine that I am introducing to the sport were with me and they wanted to explore (first timers)so I only got to see the first half of your shoot. I will get my share of it tomorrow. Anyhow, anytime shooting the bow is a good time right? I will catch ya for my 12 o clock hair appointment tomorrow.;)

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Enjoyed the pics of everyone and the shoot. I've never shot anything like that indoors, it looks extremely challenging to me! Sounds like you guys had a great time and did well.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

No matter how the shoot went, it looks like you all were having a good time.
Good luck tomorrow.
Oh, I dont blame kedd for flirting with your wife, She is a verypretty lady.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

I can't believe how fast you guys left the arena! LOL You didn't even stick around for the awards presentation. :(

I wound up taking 2nd in MBR, that hot shot guy who knocked Rick James out shot 12 up and although I shot a couple sloppy shots late I still would have really been pushing to beat a 292.

It was a blast shooting with Rob, and it was really tight for quite a few targets. The gremlins just got Rob a bit late which I couldn't figure out because we were both making solid shots. Even our 8's weren't "Bad" 8's.

Oh well I'll take 2nd, I would have really liked to see RJ in tehre too especially since one of the qualifiers didn't bother to show up for the final it left a spot open.

So now tomorrow Kidd642 (Frank) shoots in the Money Hunter Class final, and one of my other best friends Rusty shoots in his first ever real competition in the trophy Hunter Class. He was already flinging arrows in Franks garage tonight trying to calm the jitters. LOL:D

It was great meeting all you guys that I haven't met previously, I wish we could have sat down over a couple beers and some wings rather than run and gun off to the shoot with only a few minutes to spare.
Fran (Mantis Mayer) and myself are already talking about a long overdue fly fishing trip this spring, and I'll be turkey hunting again with Rob and RJ this season.

It's funny trying to explain to people who just don't get it that allus guys are 'Friends' even though many of us have never met. :)

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Isn't it amazing how one day you are at the top of the field and the next day you just can't get it going,that was always my biggest problem.Regardless,that is some good shooting on a tough course. Congrats to both Rob and matt.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Congrats Matt!

Too bad i couldnt be there this weekend...

Man, Frank is lookin GOOD in that picture!!! :D.....as always

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Well Rob you did better then I would have so job well done. Thanks for posting the pics as well I was there friday and wished I could have came today and meet some of you guys but maybe next time.

It's funny trying to explain to people who just don't get it that allus guys are 'Friends' even though many of us have never met. :)

I totally agree with that Matt/PA

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Looks like you guys had a good day. My dad and myself actually shot at Lemmes Archery Shop today(the place Matt works). We had a great time. Good luck tomorrow guys.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

It was great finally meeting all you guys, long overdue in a few cases. I do wish we had better circumstances to hang out under. I watch a lot of the shooting, but once it was over, I tried to see as much of the show as I could, I NEVER imagined it being so big. That really impressed me. 6 hours I spent there.
Looking forward to the next time fellas.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Sounds like a lot of fun guys. We'll try and make it up for this one, next year.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

good shooting guys, and nice to see alot of HNI'ers together
looks like a killer shoot the way its set up. MAN, it took me forever to load the pics on slow phone connection :Dit was worth it.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

It was great to meet up with you jokers. Kidd, my girlfriend wants me to start wearing thatcologne you had on. (weard:eek:)

I'm at the hotel nowheaded to Cabelas so gotta run.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Good shooting everyone! As usual those are some great pics Rob. It looks like you all had a great time. As others have said, it's nice to see a bunch of guys who got to know each other on a message board hang out and have a good time like they were old friends. Very cool!

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looked like fun guys! Very nice post Rob!

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Nice post and pics Rob!! Congrats Matt!!

Dan

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Thanks guys, it was great fun regardless of the outcome of the shoot.

Congratulations Matt on 2nd place. I understand that first place winner is an incredible shot. I should have pulled my weight and Matt and I could have finished with a 2/3 combo regardless of who was 2 or 3. With another score I heard about I think I was 4th then? ?

I found this photo on another site that just happened to have Matt and I...LOL Matt at full draw on the left. I believe he is zero'd in on the goat just above his hat.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

And in a few minutes I'll be leaving to meet Nate, BPBowhunter, bowtechben, and tkycaller to shoot a little indoor. There is an outside shoot today but it's cold and very blustery so we're putting on our girly pants and shooting indoors. The place I posted about the other day. I'll be sure to have pictures and a full rundown. I need to redeem from yesterday. Look at for your arrows guys, I'm zeroing in. ;) [8D]

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Ok here is the final update tally for the HNI guys and the 2008 Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show "3D Challenge"for all that participated in the 3d shoot.

Looks like NONE of us pulled of our goal of bringing home at least one title,:( but we tried hard on a pretty darn toughcourse and had a lot of fun. I filmed Frank and Rusty today for their finals in "Money Hunter" and "Hunter" classes respectively.



[hr]



[hr]


MBR (Male Bowhunter Release max 45yds fixed pins)
Matt / PA - 2nd place w/ a 281
Rob/PA Bowyer - 4th place w/ a 256

Money Hunter Class (max 35yds fixed pins 12" stabilizer)
Kidd642 (Frank) - 13th place? w/ a 258

Hunter Class (Max 35 yds, fixed pins, 12" stabilizer, 4" fletch)(There was actually a little controversy LOL)
Rusty - 3rd place w/ a 273

Rusty mistakenly shot his hunting set up with Blazer vane fletched arrows. These vanes are legal for the MONEY hunter but not the regular hunter class and his partners dad actually ratted him out. LOL;)
The rules committe had actually stated that they intended to allow Blazer vanes for all "Hunter" Classes this year but forgot to change the flyer. Rusty was cool with it so they gave him an honorary 1st Place plaque as the only participant and winner of the "Advanced Hunter Class" since he was technically DQ's from the regular hunter class 3rd place finish. :)

Other HNI Notables
Rick James - DNQ w/ a 270ish in MBR
Jawshooter - DNQ w/ a ? in Hunter Class

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

I showed up in time to see Rob and Matt shoot for a bit, but I didn't say anything because I know I have to be bothered while shooting. I have to say those top targets are much more difficult than the pictures indicate.

Congrats to all the guys that placed.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Well congrats to everyone, because all of those scores are an accomplishment. Matt, about the Blazers, I noticed reading over IBOs rules/regs, and noticed the 4" fletching requirement for HC and the 2" for AHC, so is AHC also known as money hunter? I can't remember (I should probably just check), but do the HC and AHC shoot from different stakes? Only curious as I hope to shoot at least one comp this year and I'm shooting 2" blazers.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

It was great meeting you all. Great showing at the shoot. You should all be proud of your efforts. It just goes to show how much talent and knowledge are present on the forum. Hope to see you all again some time.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Yes in IBO competition the "Advanced Hunter" is the old "Money Hunter" class and they shoot to a max of 40 yds. All equipment restrictions as regular HC apply but the arrows.
Regular Hunter Class shoots to a max of 35yds.

The Money Class in the Harrisburg shoot was geared after the Advanced HC rules but only shot a maximum of 35yds. It was more or less just an extra hunter class class they addedd to allow some of the better shoots in the competition a chance to win some money and open up the regular hunter class to a wider range of shooting abilities rather than the same guys who stay in that class to beat up on everyone year after year.

The HC and MoneyHC finals were no cakewalk, The overall average yardage was quite a bit shorter than MBR but they moved a bunch of targets around for them and didn't give them the "gimme" shots on the ground level. They had a handful of max yardage shots to deal with at small targets.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Crap...thanks for the info.

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Walked around this morning with Gutshotem but never spotted anyone from HNI,we couldnt even find Diesels Ultimate camo stand. We did watch a few rounds of the guys shooting recurves and some of the 15-17 yr olds shooting, which was neat. What time did the money hunter class shoot?

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Money Hunter Class and Trophy Hunter Class started at 1:30. They basically took up the entire line except for 3 Womens HC finalists.
16 in "Money Hunter, 8 in Trophy Hunter

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Diesel's booth was in the Wild Wild West Hall.

Thanks for the update Matt. I had a pitiful finish and that score, 30 under my qualifying score. [&:] 4th place, LOL didn't even deserve that. [8D]

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

It was great to see everyone, and to meet some new people as well this weekend. It's always great to put some faces to the names, and I'm hoping we can do another event this summer maybe, some sort of a 3D shoot or something else along those lines would be great.

Congrats to Matt as well on 2nd place. I gotta say MBR class in Harrisburg is MUCH harder than HC without a doubt, and also has some great shooters competing. I'm already looking forward to next year and look forward to making a bit better of a showing for myself as well.

As for my qualifying round, I really don't have any excuses. I shot 3x 5's on the first6 targets (all high/low) trying to figure out my distances, then after that I hit a groove andhit a point where I was pounding X's and came back from 15 down to being even (was 1 up on target 22).After this I really started to getvery fatigued on the last several targets and took a beating there, dropping 11 points on the last 6 targets.It's tough for most peopleto understand how much MBR or MBO shooters at this event get worn down walking to and from the targets to pull arrows, and the heat from all the stage lights on you (it's easily 10 degrees warmer on the shooting line than the crowd or stands). In addition to this...................let's just say I was up a bit later the night before than I probably should have been, and it definitely showed on those last several targets. Had I not been howling at the moon the night before, I may have had a bit more gas in the tank to pull me through those last few arrows......lol.[:-]

It was great guys, and again I look forward to sharing the woods with a few of you this spring, and hopefully we can coordinate something where all of us can get together again and fling a few arrows.

Matt - Did you get a moose or a deer? [8D]

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Great going guys Matt, Frankand Rob, way to represent!! Was good meeting all you other guys also especially my team MM.

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They tricked it up this year and the top finishers all got nice engraved plaques with a deer head that sticks out in the middle like a tiny shoulder mount. They're pretty nice and all the same size (just slightly different colors and with 1st thru 3rd places on them)

And my back STILL hurts going on 48hrs later. :eek:

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Matt, how's your form??



Just kidding. Great job! Get some rest (and maybe a little heat) for that back!

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Sweet! Where'd ya find that one? :)

By the way, I wish you could have met my buddy Rusty he's from the Finger Lakes too. Around Moravia? (sp?)

And for you guys that have never met Gundeck, picture a bear.The guy has hands like a Kodiak bear's paws. [:-]One swat and he'd probably knock your head off. LOL
Good meeting you buddy, make sure you register those hands with the sheriff's department. ;)

RE: HNI/Harrisburg mini gtg and shoot.
 

Matt, I took this one while my Dad and I were watching the shoot. The rest of my pics from the show are here:

http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa168/rheintzelman/Harrisburg08/

As for the bear paws, honest, I am harmless (to most humans, anyway)!

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This pic shows a hint of bearpaw on Gundeck. Hellava guy! Ron, I keepmy boat on SenecaLake durring the summerat the southern endyou should swing by sometime. Oh and the pic also showsFrank on his tippy toes:D


Andy, I was meening to swing by and pick up some camo towards the end but the girlfriend was blowing through the slush fund like it was her job[8D] I'll catch up with you later.