Hello!

This is going to be a bit of a trial and error thing as I haven't posted anything on the blogspot before.

Well, Sunday week ago saw Tweed Valley Field Archer's first shoot for the year & pleased to say we had a really good show!

It was the most shooters we've had in a day (29) and although a little organising (& slight panicking on my behalf) was required, the day ended up well.

We broke up into 3 groups, with Adam, Pete and Gaz (with Greg) being the group "captains". As I was in Adam's group I can't speak for the others but we had fun in our group at least! I was really pleased to actually hit the target more often than not, even getting a 10! (I'll have to take a photo next time as someone didn't believe me - probably more than one someone actually!).

I'm not sure what Gaz and Greg got up to but if it was anything as usual, it would have been lots of mischief!

We had a number of  "newbies" along too - Jed was in our group and seemed to enjoy himself and the others (including Tony) that I spoke to sounded like they had a good time too.

We have decided to keep a record of scores along the way this year, out of interest. Have a look at the photo I'm attaching (hope it works) to see what the scores were.

Evan, who was in Pete's group, was the shooter of the day with a phenomenal 161!! Clinton came second with 141.

Young Maddie Hill did great with 103, followed closely by El Presidente Adam with 102.

As for the scores from Gary's group, I'm not sure about the accuracy of the recorded scores but (apparently) Gaz got 149, which would be pretty awesome and if I can read the writing correctly it looks like newcomer Ken got a decent 93.

Anyway, I could go on for days but better not. Hope you all enjoyed the day and look forward as always to next shoot, 16th March.

Cheers
Kate

Last weekend the trek to beautiful Bondonga Station was made by some of our club members and a very enjoyable weekend it was.

Although the river was a bit low, there was still enough water to get wet and cool off in and the lovely (& very cheeky) Steve, our host allowed us to have a fire each night. Jake was elected fire-keeper and did an admirable job!

Most of us (ie Chisholms, Hills, Davis's, Warrens and Ado) made it out by dark Friday, although Gaz got up disgustingly early and was out to join us by 9am Saturday.

We got a reasonable amount of rain on Friday night, much to Margaret's despair as she and her kids were roughing it under a gazebo - which leaked! Much to the disgust of Charlie & Kate, Marg decided she didn't want to risk another night like that and broke camp and headed home. Sadly, my weather prediction of more rain was way off the mark, (I was wrong, ok? - sorry Marg). Gaz was right (that hurts to admit!).

Actually, I felt a bit posh...Taylor and I were the only ones with tents! Oh well, I was very comfortable in my tent with my queen size airbed. Everyone else had swags of some description (think I'd get claustrophobic). Adam had the Taj Mahal of camps, with a huge tarp which doubled as sleeping area at night and community shade during the day and an adjoining gazebo which was his kitchen area. The Hills had a pretty good set up too and Gaz's camp was, um, I guess just how he liked it! Hats off to Adrian for ingenuity though, with his ancient canvas tarp rigged up with a stick to hold it up off his swag on the back of his ute! Thank god he bought heaps of salt too, which saved a few of us with our melting ice (a new trick I'm happy to have learned).

First hunt was on Saturday, with most taking part (not me!). This was Taylor's first hunt and although I have to admit to hoping he wasn't going to like it, he enjoyed himself and even managed to get himself a young goat! Greg also scored one and the amazing Michelle did the dirty work of cleaning and skinning, then cooked some over the fire on Saturday night. Having never eaten goat before, I was pleasantly surprised! Mind you, I think Michelle's cooking also should be credited .

Sunday saw another hunt, with Ado going off by himself and coming back with a goat and Greg scoring another one too. Greg's goat had a beautiful coat, which Michelle very skillfully removed. I understand it will end up as a mat on Maddie's bedroom floor. 

Lots of time was spent lounging around in the shade, as it did get rather hot. I personally spent a fair bit of time in the river, which was lovely and cool (although a bit icky, especially with the exfoliating prawns).

Night time was spent hanging around the fire, with a few drinks and good company (and chocolate).

The Hills sadly had to leave Sunday so it was just a small group left. I'm pretty sure that they thoroughly enjoyed themselves (including Pixie the dog, or Pigsy as Ado called her) and Maddi & Sarah are going to grow up to be awesome like their mum!

Monday was very unhappily pack up day. Taylor & I had to leave earlier in the day for him to work that afternoon, so Gaz, Adam, Jake & Ado took off for one last hunt, which was unfortunately unsuccessful. Bad luck boys.

My second trip out to Bondonga has just confirmed for me that its a pretty special place and I'm very much looking forward to our next trip!

Hope you like the photos!

Cheers,

Kate 

 

2014!

Finally, its time for our first shoot of the year! Next Sunday, 16th February is the day (fingers crossed the weather's good). We would like to actually head out as close to 9 as possible so if you could get there by 8.30am that would be great. It will still be hot so bring your hat, sunscreen, water bottle (and bug spray). Don't forget to wear decent covered shoes - not really suitable for thongs. Please let Kate know if you will be attending - 0410 187 963.

Club Shoot Postponed

El Presidente made the call to postpone today's club shoot due to an over-abundance of mud at the club grounds. The shoot will now be held on Sunday 28 July, weather permitting. See you there!

Another Great Emmaville Hunt

Hi Guys,

Another Great Emmaville hunt last weekend as some of you may be aware with my photos.

Left Thursday night at 8pm, got to the property at midnight, set up camp, started the fire and opened a few beers. 3.30am we went to sleep and woke at 6am and spent the whole day hunting in overcast weather. We would have seen around 30+ pigs in one day, not many goats. We smashed a few pigs and a goat. One of the pigs ended up being a super pig after taking 5 arrows and still travelling over 2 gullies before Mick grabbed the back legs and I came in for the knife kill.

Thanks to Mick and Decky for a fun filled weekend of hunting and travelling some km's following pigs after pigs.

Pete

Hunting at Nariel

Hi all,

Just thought I'd share my latest hunting weekend.

Went out to Nariel Station near St George, a 'pay to hunt' property but one I was keen to look over. Great people who run it, Kelli and Bruce.

I grew up in Tassie (don't hold it against me) and did lots of hunting (rifle) down there but being pretty new to QLD I don't have the network of properties I can access that I did down South. So pay to hunt isn't a bad option and for a great weekend away it's pretty reasonable.

I had 3 mates with me who had never been bow hunting before and for me it was the first time hunting with my compound bow, having previously hunted with a recurve.

We had a hard time with the pigs, finding a few but not managing to take any. We did manage to find some decent mobs of goats after a bit of scouting around the 15,000 acre property a bit. All 3 of my mates managed to get their first goats and learned the excitement and challenges of stalking to within bow range.

I managed a couple of meat goats, one of which came after a really tough stalk on a mob in the middle of a pretty open field. A 30m belly crawl and some careful timing put me behind the only cover within shooting range with a goat and a tick on my neck to show for it!

I also managed to slice my finger open with some careless knife work. A late Sunday evening stop over in Goondiwindi Hospital saw me collect 7 stitches and some antibiotics for my lapse.

A great weekend. Still haven't managed my first pig though.

Cheers, Tony

Tweed Valley 3D Field Archers

Did you used to wish you could be like “Robin Hood”?  Did your children watch “Brave”  and think the fire-haired Merida was supercool and hound you about wanting to get a bow and arrow? Did your older kids (or you!) see “The Hunger Games”  or “Avatar”  and wonder where you might be able to try out archery?

You could give it a go with Tweed Valley 3D Field Archers!

With films like those mentioned above and the promise of an exciting new TV series called “Arrow”, there is renewed interest in archery.

Tweed Valley 3D Field Archers have been around for a while. Their first club grounds were located in Murwillumbah. They then relocated to Carool and are now located at a member’s property at Chillingham.

With films such as  “The Avengers”, “Hunger Games”, “Brave” and even “Avatar” bringing renewed interest in archery, the Tweed Valley 3D Field Archers look forward to welcoming newcomers.

For those of you who are unaware (as I initially was) of the difference between plain old target archery (no offence to anyone!) and 3D field archery, I’ll explain.

With 3D field archery you get to be out in the fresh air, enjoying the great Aussie outdoors. You get exercise, fresh air, a few giggles and a lot of fun all rolled into one!

Instead of just standing in one spot shooting at paper targets, you get to stretch your legs and have a bit of a bushwalk on a beautiful property. You shoot at strategically and challengingly placed 3D animal targets. If you’re really lucky, you hit the target and score points. If you miss, you might get a bit of friendly ribbing, but also some advice on how to improve your aim.

Tweed Valley 3D Field Archers’ members use a combination of traditional longbows, recurve bows and hi-tech compound bows. The club has some bows available for use by newcomers and are looking at purchasing more.

Archery is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea and not every archer wants to (or has to) hunt.

Whilst the majority of Tweed Valley 3D Field Archers’ members are undoubtedly male, there are a few of us girls. The guys in the club are friendly and (generally) well behaved and helpful.

It’s also not just aimed at adults. We have a number of young lads in the club, some of whom are great shots! If you have a son or daughter who have tried various sports and not been able to find one they like, maybe archery could be their thing!

It also has to be said, archery is pretty cool, for those teenagers who relish being a little different.

The club meet once a month, on the third Sunday of the month weather permitting. If it’s too wet to shoot, it will be postponed until the following Sunday.

The club ends every shoot with a sociable sausage sizzle and cold drink. It’s also a good opportunity to have a chat to the more experienced members and get some advice or even check the score sheets and have a bit of a brag, or cry, as the case may be.

To become a member of Tweed Valley 3D Field Archers, it is a requirement to register with 3DAAA (Archery Association of Australia). This is for insurance reasons. The cost is quite reasonable, with annual fees as follows:

Adults $40

Junior $30

Family $85

The cost per shoot is $12 (adults) and $9 (children).

Club stalwarts Gary Case and Greg James are probably the most experienced shooters in the club, and are happy to offer new members advice and coaching, upon prior arrangement.

Greg James also produces some beautiful hand-made bows, for anyone interested in commissioning one.

What have you got to lose, apart from a few hours on a Sunday? Besides, it’s a really nice drive out there!

If you think you might be interested in giving it a go, contact Adam on 0468 822 748 or Peter on 0437 517 040.

By Kate Chisholm