It's an honor to continue this annual thread.

This was now the second Shrewhaven Hunt without founder Ron LaClair.  Ron was a staunch supporter of Tradgang and one of the leaders in the resurgence of traditional archery in the 1980's.  Perhaps someone with a little more Tradgang wizardry could add a link to some of the older Shrewhaven threads so newer readers could get a flavor for Ron and this oasis that is now in its 32nd year!!! 

First, and foremost, a big shoutout and thank you to Bill LaClair.  Bill is Ron's son and he has continued to allow us to hunt through the club partnership after Ron's death. Bill spent a week on the property with camp members and learned a great deal about his father's time in camp.  He's vowed to be in camp next year and will hopefully be carrying one of his dad's bows. 

As far as this years camp, members present included Greg Nicolaou, Tim Cosgrove, Kevin Marshall, Roger Norris, myself and Henry Bodnik.  Tim Cosgrove and Henry Bodnik now produce and sell the Shrew bow line.

The camp is located in Michigan's upper peninsula which is steeped in hunting tradition.  In Fred Bear's early years of bow hunting whitetail deer he traveled to the upper peninsula to hunt.  Ron's desire was to recreate a camp with its own traditions.  He succeeded beyond his wildest dreams and we're blessed to be able to continue them. 

A few things worked against our hunting this year.  A large corn field just off the property was still standing.  The weather was the wettest I can remember in 32 years of camp.  In spite of that we managed to hang a few deer and more importantly shared camp with a fantastic group of traditional archers.   Roger Norris will be along shortly with some of his thoughts and pictures but I'll start with this one which is our toast to Ron and those of us who are here to carrying on the tradition. 
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Some photos of the cabin

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Some photos from camps when Ron was still with us. 

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52" Classic Hunter II 'Heritage Edition' makes meat.  Classic green glass limbs were one of Ron's favorites.  I took this deer from a stand of young aspen (lone pine tree).  I gave up on this funnel last year because I saw as many wolves as deer there.  No wolves were seen or heard this year. 

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our gang including Bill LaClair on far left.  Like Ron, Bill is a lefty, so he'll have plenty of his dad's bows to select from for the hunt next year. 

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Roger and I with our deer. 

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Henry Bodnik is a busy man traveling in Europe to deal with his instructional classes on instinctive shooting, Bodnik bows and of course Shrew bows.  He was excited to put together this sort of arrows for the hunt.   The look on his face when he unpacked and realized he left the arrows behind in Germany-priceless.  Fortunately there were enough arrows in camp to keep him in the woods.  👍👍

Here are just a few Ray, just a simple search for shrewhaven in the advance search in the title, which anyone can do, and you will come up with much more that these....



https://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=180186.msg3016583#msg3016583

https://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=166659.0

https://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=180081.0

https://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=177271.msg2979789#msg2979789

https://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=64159.0

https://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=10741.0

Thanks for sharing this hunt with us again Ray! Can't wait to "see" more!

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I really enjoyed this year at ShrewHaven....the only thing missing was Ron. I was fortunate enough to kill a nice doe on my first sit, so I had a full week to relax and enjoy a few different stand spots. This pic is a ground blind I tucked into with my infamous Krylon Shrew ;0)

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She only went 30 yards....

Nice Roger.

I is sad that Ron in no longer with us, and very hollow that Shrew Bows is no longer a sponsor as Ron was the 1st sponsor of Tradgang nearly 20 years ago. Thanks for still sharing in Ron's honor guys. 

Quote from: Skates 2 on October 30, 2023, 01:00:26 PM
Nice Roger.

I is sad that Ron in no longer with us, and very hollow that Shrew Bows is no longer a sponsor as Ron was the 1st sponsor of Tradgang nearly 20 years ago. Thanks for still sharing in Ron's honor guys. 

Hey Skates - I sure wish Ron was around also. And yessir, he was a LOYAL TradGang member......but it is important to note that this annual thread is now a tribute to our lost friend Lobo, as well as a tribute to a great, traditional bowhunting camp. It is not meant to be a Shrew Bows infomercial or anything other than the reporting of great friends in a great camp.

I hear and understand what you are saying Roger.

I was in no way insinuating this was ever an infomercial.   It was just my tribute post to say that It saddens me that Ron and his bow company are both void of Tradgang. 

However, it is wonderful to see you guys carrying on the tradition and I looked forward to reading.

This fat fellow made an appearance. He was rolling with his fall fat....He gave me 1/2 dozen shooting opportunities....

Yes, Ron was the very first sponsor and the very first person to buy a banner ad.  He wasn't just loyal to Tradgang, he was a shepherd that kept the wolves at bay.

Carry on guys and thanks!

Why are my pictures sideways?

Nice Doe Roger. Also love the paint job. Yes i paint my bows too.

Quote from: BUCKY on October 30, 2023, 03:50:39 PM
Nice Doe Roger. Also love the paint job. Yes i paint my bows too.

Bowyers either hate me or laugh....I always say "build it out of whatever you want, I'm spraying it with Krylon anyway"....

Thanks for sharing this thread, means so much to me.
All my hunting partners are gone.
So make more memories.