Which show to go to for trying as many bows as possible ?

[David Mitchell]

Originally posted by michaelschwister:
I love ETAR, but I think KZOO has many more bowyers ans is specifically set up for trying out bows.  Kalamazzoo Michigan the last week of January. Gerry Brumm from Great Northern Bow company was one of the main players, you can check his website

X2...I think more of the better known bow makers are at Kalamazoo if that's what you are looking for.

[LBR]

Best bet in June is the Howard Hill, I think.  It's this weekend--headed out for it soon.

[GRAYBEARD]

The organizers of ETAR usually post a vendor list about a month prior to the event. Should be on the internet and it generally ends up here as well.

[2fletch]

ETAR has my vote. I don't believe that you could shoot a representative number of bows from all of the bowyers there. Just on one side of one tent that we were located in (which is less than 1/6th of the total) there was Hummingbird, Striker, Dryad, Bear, Zipper, and 2 or 3 more that I can't recall the names of. There were probably 45-50 bowyers there and a lot of used bows. The blanket/yard sale each evening had more than a hundred used bows and equipment for sale.

It was also convenient to test a bow. Just outside the tents was a practice range which stayed busy.

I hope that you can come. We have some very good bowyers, and the environment there, both at the event and in the community is great.

[mahantango]

ETAR is the biggest in the US with 6-8 thousand in attendance over a 3-day period. 7 or 8 3-D courses spread out over the mountain and 2 large and several small vendor tents full of new and used bows. You can test bows till your fingers bleed. Be prepared to camp however, as it's pretty much in the middle of nowhere. At least 2 - 2 1/2 hours drive from the nearest airport. Do a search on here for ETAR/Denton Hill. There have been some great picture threads over the years. This is really something that needs to be seen to be appreciated.

[J from Denmark]

Thanks Guys
Etar or Kzoo it is depending on our shedule and on wich has most of our "wanted" bowyers attending    

[jackdaw]

Due to all the potential used bows as well as new bowyers....I would think that Denton Hill/ETAR  Would have to get the nod..

[beyondmyken]

Depnding on how much time you want to spend in the US,  you could attend the Cloverdale Tranditional Archery Nationals in Cloverdale, IN the 2nd weekend in June and then attend the Compton Traditional Rendezvous the 3rd weekend in June.  Plus there are 2 traditional bowyers in Bloomington, IN and several in Michigan.   3 Rivers Archery and Kustom King Archery are both in Indiana.   I have not been to Cloverdale in a few years but there will be bowyers and people selling used bows.  Heck, if you introduced yourself to some of the people camping,  they would probably let you shoot their bows.  You could fly into Chicago or Indianapolis.   You are looking at about a 3 hour driving time max from place to place.

[dbd870]

I went to Cloverdale last year and I'll go again this weekend too but I was underwhelmed with it. From talking to others it not what it once was.