Just got back from the annual US Sportsmans Alliance Trailblazer program. We [the Bowfishing Assoc of ILL.] once again manned the bowfishing range. The groups were a bit smaller this year, and that was kinda nice as more kids got to shoot longer.

For those unfamiliar with the Trailblazer program, members of the alliance and the local IFOR reps. take boy scouts out to try different hunting and fishing activities. This one was again held at the Max McGraw area in Dundee.

Most of these kids are from Chicago neighborhoods where they dont have alot of opportunity to try these activities. I think most had a great time. They had the bowfishing range, archery range, BBgun range, fishing, and a trapping seminar. Its great to help out and all the people who set it up and volunteer their time and saturday [especially the 1st weekend of deer season] to run it deserve a big hand!

I have invited some of these scout masters to come to our BAofIL youth bowfishing event this May also. Some of the kids are natural fish killers!!!

Here are a few pics.....

The boyscout hand sign thing they do.....its actually a good way to show them how to draw the string!
http://i21.tinypic.com/5knm74.jpg

Geoff K., a BAofIL member and buddy of mine who is one of the main guys who puts this togeather....
http://i23.tinypic.com/25uskf5.jpg

A successful foam football killer
http://i22.tinypic.com/35a95wg.jpg

Ive got to get us a left handed retriever! These hand wraps take forever...
http://i20.tinypic.com/vgtm68.jpg

A group getting ready to shoot...
http://i23.tinypic.com/11m3uo9.jpg

Mrsejoe instructing a scout leader
http://i23.tinypic.com/2i8db45.jpg

And a nice action shot
http://i22.tinypic.com/255omqg.jpg

Always a good time. The US Sportsmans Alliance is a good organization that everyone should think about supporting. Here is a link to their home page....
http://www.ussportsmen.org/

Wow, looks like another fun day........those kids smiles....that's worth it all....

That's exactly right BamBam. These kids love getting out and trying things that most have little if any chance to do where they live.

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/433470a70883247f.jpg
Geoff Kishpaugh does an awesome job orginizing this event, and the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation is an awesome place to host it.

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/433470a714b0a963.jpg


http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/433470a708862201.jpg
The Illinois Bowfishers club were in charge of the archery lanes.

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/433470a70889756e.jpg
Shooters came in every size. The Genesis bows work well for everyone.

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/433470a70891a139.jpg
We were well fed when everyone broke for lunch. The weather was warm and there was a lot of water and lemonade downed.

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/433470a7088d74b5.jpg
Getting all the scouts together for a picture is like herding cats. LOL

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/433470a70e4d8e50.jpg
It wasn't all work though. We did get a chance to take a few shots ourselves.

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/433470a70e50c0df.jpg
Dave even showed us his trick shot prowess. He was really shooting that little bow well.

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/433470a70e50c0df.jpg
Afterwards we took a field trip to GAT guns and then to the new Cabelas store in Hoffman Estates.

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/433470a70e57b1f0.jpg
Of course this was cool to us.

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/433470a70e59d4b9.jpg

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/433470a714aa0040.jpg
Just the cost of taxidermy there is mind boggling.

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/433470a714acf5f1.jpg
The funny hat twins made an appearance also. They did forget their "Billy Bob" teeth though. LOL

We have to say Kudos to the McLean County Sportsmens Club.

Friday afternoon Geoff called and said "The bows didn't show up so we have nothing for the kids to shoot. I'll understand if you ddon't come."
Christine hung up and imediately called Mike Steffa to see if we could borrow their bows and arrows. He not only checked but went and picked them up so that we could pick them up from him on our way up there.

The MCSC saved the day for more than 100 scouts. Thanks to them and Mikey for coming through in a pinch.

thats sweet looks like they all had a great time. keep up the good work

thats sweet looks like they all had a great time. keep up the good work

Yea....it was a great time. We [the BAI] plan on increasing the size of the bowfishing range next year and the amount of bows we own for all the events we participate in. Actually we just got a nice donation from one of our sponsors to buy 3 more genisis bows. We are also taking a small troop out to do some actual bowfishing this may.

http://i23.tinypic.com/mj1wfd.jpg

Joe, pardon my ingnorance here. Is that Genesis a typical bow used for bowfishing or just for the education programs?

Dave.....they are mainly used in shooting events because they have the same poundage thru the legnth of the draw. That way they can fit all sorts of shooters from kids up to the adults. They are a little lite for bowfishing at 20 lbs max, but could surely take shallow fish. They also have a smaller bow called a mini that is perfect for very young kids. And the genisis pro goes up to 25lbs. You would really be surprised how hard one of these shoots an arrow even turned down to 15lbs. Perfect bows for new bowfishermen right Gretchen and Bam??? But....AMS bowfishing has taken the same bow and had it built with 40lb draw for their fishhawk bow. great for bowfishing and once again fits many different archers.

Joe, Kendal, Christine & all the guys & gals in both club !!!
It looks like you all had a great time & you introduced the great sports of archery to a bunch of kids !! Well done. :)
Tell your members they should all be proud of how you all represented your organizations !!
Thanks for sharing all those great pics to & keep up the great work !!!! :)

Dave.....they are mainly used in shooting events because they have the same poundage thru the legnth of the draw. That way they can fit all sorts of shooters from kids up to the adults. They are a little lite for bowfishing at 20 lbs max, but could surely take shallow fish. They also have a smaller bow called a mini that is perfect for very young kids. And the genisis pro goes up to 25lbs. You would really be surprised how hard one of these shoots an arrow even turned down to 15lbs. Perfect bows for new bowfishermen right Gretchen and Bam??? But....AMS bowfishing has taken the same bow and had it built with 40lb draw for their fishhawk bow. great for bowfishing and once again fits many different archers.

Im still thinking if I would even be able to do that....and if I would want anyone around me when I tried.......lol;)

Thanks Lynn.

bambam, you're more than able. Just remember that once you start, you may have a tough time stopping. :D

Thanks Lynn.

bambam, you're more than able. Just remember that once you start, you may have a tough time stopping. :D

OH no it's not like photgraphy is it? lol......:eek:

Im still thinking if I would even be able to do that....and if I would want anyone around me when I tried.......lol;)

You will love it! Actually, when we are down that way come spring your welcome to bring the whole family out. The kids will love it too. This is Emily.....one of our youngest members shooting with her dad. She shot one out of my boat last May....
http://i6.tinypic.com/6fjmp1u.jpg

Here are a few more pics Geoff sent over of the other activities.

They also had a falconry demo there.....
http://i20.tinypic.com/2eknex0.jpg

A trapping display and seminar....
http://i22.tinypic.com/2vvs8xl.jpg

Fishin for gills....
http://i23.tinypic.com/kbx55e.jpg

http://i22.tinypic.com/o5bwxh.jpg

And some BB gun shootin....
http://i22.tinypic.com/168ue6a.jpg

http://i23.tinypic.com/2h4amnt.jpg