Anyone going to E.T.A.R this year?
What could one expect or must bring for their first time?
Besides actually hunting, ETAR is my favorite weekend of the year. I wouldn't miss it for anything. You should bring...lot's of money. haha. Just kidding...sorta. You can expect to see a bunch of vendors selling bows, arrows and every other accessory you can think of. There are eight 3D courses and ranges on both sides of the ski lodge so you can shoot all day everyday if you'd like. You'll meet a bunch of wonderful people, there is a huge blanket trade each evening where you can buy and sell any used items that you'd like. It's just a great weekend, with thousands of like minded individuals. Bring hot weather clothes, cool weather clothes and some knee high rubber boots in addition to sneakers. The weather can be unpredictable, hot, cool, rainy, etc... You'll have a great time though.
Thanks for the info Sam. I'm flying up from Florida Thursday and super excited. I'm going to have to make some friends since I'm coming by myself. I'm truly going just to handle a few specific bow brands and either order a custom or maybe find one there. The more I think about it I really want to take my equipment but just don't know how to fly with my bow.
Oh man, I'm telling you try and bring your bow if you can. Amazing 3D courses in some of the prettiest landscape you'll ever see. I'll be working at the Compton Traditional Bowhunters booth, stop in and say hi. Don't worry about coming by yourself, everyone is welcoming. I've shot the courses by myself before and have never not had a group invite me to shoot with them. You'll only have to shoot alone if you want to. If you have any other questions, just let me know. Have you secured lodging yet? If not, get on it soon. It's possible that everything is already booked up. Good luck.
If you have a takedown bow and don't have a travel case, just pack it well in clothing and put your arrows in a pvc pipe that can fit in your luggage and you'll be good to go. Hope that helps.
If it's rainy, bring boots! One year it rained HARD on a Friday and all the water ran down the hill and collected in and around the tents. We were ankle deep in water and I ruined a brand new pair of sneakers.
I will definitely stop by the both to say hi. Yes I got a place to stay just a few miles away. I also have some family an hour or so away if needed. I was reading up on it and it's not like flying with a gun so I'm bringing my equipment.
Thanks for the heads up NY Yankee on the boots.
You will love it and will want to come back every year once you have been there. You have had some good advice to make it a good trip.
I got to go last year and I am still drying out, very squishy. I hope this year will be a bit more dry but not hot. Say hi if you see me, I will be the one looking for arrows the whole time.
Somehow I posted this picture on the wrong thread.
It is a shaky picture of mulberry veneers
My first year I went solo. Didn't know a soul. By the end of the shoot the family next to me would take offense if I didn't eat with them! It's just that kind of group where you can't not meet some good people! I hadn't been in a few years and last year took the wife and two little ones for a day trip. We're staying all week this year and the kids wont stop talking about it! I think they'll be sad if it ISN'T super muddy this year! Unless you buy a full rig there,which you definitely can, you really should bring your bow and arrows. You'll wish you did! I gotta start making my shopping list!
I've gone by myself the past two years (the only two times I've been). I met wonderful people and had a great time. Can't wait to go again.
thanks for all the awesome info guys, I'm super excited. I just purchases a hard case to take my equipment and made sure it's big enough to bring home new equipment. :biglaugh: Hopefully I'll run into some of you guys there.
Me and Yohon will be heading out early Thursday morning!
1st time for me too and I am really looking forward to it all!!!!
Definitely a great time! Plan to be there Friday and Saturday.
Sometimes I roll solo, sometimes the whole family comes (wife doesn't shoot but walks along with us). Lots to see and buy.
My wife doesn't shoot either. I think she just tags along to make sure I don't spend the kids' college money!
Bringing the whole family. We'll be there all of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It will be our 7th time in a row.
I will be there. Stop in and say hi!
5 of us from VA are headed up there Thursday. Cant wait!
I am planning on taking my 9 year old son he loves to shoot. Any advice as we are first timers. Planning on staying 1 or 2 nights. All advice will be appreciated
You didn't mention plans about where you will be staying, but if you plan to camp at the shoot, get there as early in the week as you can because camping really gets jam packed.
Looking forward to being there again this year.
Had to miss last year at the last minute due to my Mom passing.
We probably won't get there until Friday. Should I look for lodging off site?
It may be hard to find a room in the immediate area. My guess is that they are booked but you can check. There are not many places to get a room. The area is pretty rural. Last year my wife and I decided to go kind of late in the planning and were able to get a room at Millstream Lodging just west of Coudersport. It was a real nice, large room. You can contact the main hotel in Coudersport and see. Maybe some late cancellations or something. Also Wingate Inn. Others may have more suggestions. Those are the two places I know about.
Thank you
I will be there wed. to sun. with the boys. I will not be able to shoot much. I fell on a recent bear trip ripping by right bicep. Travel safe, Dan
Before moving to idaho from nys I went every year for 20 yrs . used to on Thursday but was so crowded I started going the Monday. Before just to get a spot to camp.
I'd say if you're tent or car camping you can almost find a spot somewhere. If camper or RV definitely get there as early as possibly.
Jealous of you all, man I wish there was a shoot like that out here.
I'll be camped up the hill at the Potter County Family Campground with Gary Hall, Dave Grant, and crew. Yes, you need to pay more to camp than at the shoot itself, but it is well worth it to have more space and bettter shower facilities. It's a quick drive down to the shoot. We make reservations for the next year before leaving each year. We're always in sites 21 - 23. Stop by and say hello if you're in the campground.
We are heading up early hoping to get a spot for a large camper , Fredjake1 camping with your son there will be fun so many things for kids to do , you should be able to get a tent spot late. I have seen the staff help find one for campers and tents , The best time we had was camping when our son was 9 and Stacey Grosscup spent time with all the kids . But bring boots warm and cold weather gear. Hope to see you all there.
We will be heading up the Monday before. It is a 20..or more hour drive for us and I hope to be there by Tuesday afternoon.
We will have an entirely different set up this year. If you get near it, you won't miss it. I am having a bunch of Rinehart blem targets getting shipped in and with any luck, I should have a new stock of Dark Timber shafts by then as well.
I will have 250+ used bows just waiting to go home with someone besides me :)
An awesome event! I've been going for the last 12 years.
BIgJim
Rinehart blem targets - I know where my first stop will be Thursday morning :thumbsup:
Be prepared for cold or hot weather, plus bring some rubber boots. One year it got down to 38 degrees at night, lol.
We'll be there Tuesday through Sunday.
Stop by the LifeCycle Gear booth and try out a Handy Clicker, our new "Ethic" 3-piece longbow, or our new ILF riser.
...or just stop by to talk...ETAR is a great event with even better people!
For those who might have TURKEY feathers kicking around and are going to ETAR: Bill Semerod will be spliting & grinding Turkey feathers on the spot at ETAR -- TUES & WED (and Possibly after hours Thurs-Sat)before the show starts he will be camping on LEFT side of driveway up before GARAGE where seminars are held.He will most likely will have a display of broadheads at his camp.He did it professionally for quite sometime.AND for those folks who have TURKEY feathers they have no use for I will do some swapping & trading for them. Thanks Tom Phillips (I will be in Old Tyme Photos booth at ETAR).
Can't wait will be there Thursday and hope I can talk Uncle Barry into signing my Once upon a tine book again, had him resign it last year, got a nice 8 point, when he first signed it got a dandy 10, now I don't want to mess with the mojo, wife is going and says I'm not allowed in Big Jim's tent without adult supervision.
George, we can distract her while you make a deal or two! ...
BIgJim
Big Jim, do you do trade ins on your used bow selection?
I do Bunyan. We do lots of trades.
Thanks, BigJim
Big Jim, thanks! I'll be stopping by to discuss possibilities for sure!
Tom do you know if Bill would do any swapping for grinding. I have a bunch of feathers but won't be down until Thursday afternoon.
Bob
Traditions Leathercraft will be set up outside the first big tent again this year. I look forward to seeing everyone next weekend!
K.C.
I'll be there Thurday thru Sunday. Coming by motorcycle with a small tent. Hoping my small footprint will assure me of a camping spot. I've been trying to make this shoot for the last 5 or 6 years but couldn't, so I'm stoked! The weather forecast is perfect too. The one year I made it we had a couple very close calls with Tornados. See you all there!
Missing it again this year. At least Wengerd Archery, Tom Clum, and a couple others are using the cabin I reserve every year. Im using my vacation for Caribou in a few weeks in AK with my bro.