Shout out to Idaho, and Wisconsin......

[Mark Baker]

After reading Jim Bowman's thread on the "price of hunting", I thought I'd recognize a couple top-notch orgs I've recently visited, in Idaho and Wisconsin.   Folks, if you don't belong to you respective state orgs, then you need to get involved and inform yourselves with what is going on in your "neigborhoods" that threaten the integrity and quality of what we get to do as bowhunters.   These groups are on the front lines of the war that constantly rages.  Most would never realize the threats that are out there to the very existance of the seasons that were so hard-fought for decades ago by our forefathers....and getting "educated" to those threats is the first step to finding solutions, and being able to offer up your help.  A lot of great guys and gals, volunteer their time without compensation, to ensure that all of us can enjoy the quality experiences we've come to "expect" when we take to the woods each year.  This quality doesn't come free.   It is the result of hard work, good debate and ideas, great planning and action....and it takes members to get it all done.  

I've been able to visit quite a few of your states the past many years, and all are working as hard as they can to promote and preserve trad bowhunting, and hunting in general, for your benefits to the best of their abilities.   Wisconsin, and Idaho are two of the best.  So get involved you guys,  they need your help!

[Whip]

Thanks for the kind words Mark - it was great to have you.  I heard from a number of our members about how much they appreciated that you not only came out to be our speaker and entertainer for the weekend, but also attended our business Meeting and helped by expressing yourself on our anti-crossbow debate.
It was a great weekend, and you were a big part of that.  Thank you!

[NBK]

Thank you Mark for coming this past weekend.  It was great to hear some solid thoughts on elk hunting from a guy whose "been there, done that", but your entertainment at the dinner was even better.  I've never seen you shoot, but if you can strum a longbow string half as well as your guitar you gotta be pretty good!  I'd brought my eight year old daughter with me this year and after we got home she asked Mom if she could take guitar lessons!  Well done.

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

Mark,

I agree with you about the WTA -- a great group of folks. I can't believe I missed the banquet, but it's my fault for thinking it was the last Saturday of the month.

[Greg Szalewski]

Mark, thanks again for coming to our banquet. You played a huge part in making it a success. As joe mentione you not only entertained but contributed to the discussion to help preserve our bowhunting season.

[Mark Baker]

Thanks Joe and Mike....I really just thought it a great time to highlight the work done by these two groups...and orgs just like them....during a time when many are holding their banquets and meetings.  The threats to bowhunting never stop, they just "change"...and it takes constant vigilance to keep what we have.  Most simply don't know....but Wisconsin (and Idaho, MT, and others) is doing a great job, fighting the good fight.  

Mike....it's funny how a good slide show can make my "average" guitar playing and singing sound really good!  I think I played a trick on you guys!

Jason....I think it may have been, but they had a bit of a "change" in their plans, and let me tell you, the Wisconsin guys put on a heck of a banquet at a great venue, I thought.   It shows you what a talented and dedicated crew they have.

[Orion]

Fullheartedly agree with your observations and advice, Mark.  Thanks again for your excellent, professional contribution to our banquet.  

For other organizations out there that might be looking for a guest in the coming years, you're missing a bet if you don't get in touch with Mark. He presents a truly unique combination of song, image, wisdom and spirituality.      

[Ray_G]

We had a great time meeting and listening to Mark a couple weeks ago at our annual Trad Day and banquet.  "Feathers in the Wind" truly stirs me and makes me wish that I had seriously started this journey decades ago.  

At almost six decades, it is time for me to be more involved, in hopes that young people can be mentored and have places to hunt, explore and wonder at creation.  Our state group is involved with our Sportsman's Council to the Legislature along with other groups like Backcountry Hunters and Anglers to educate and promote wild places into the future.  Even if we can "only" write or phone legislators, we make a contribution.  Our trad org also hosts the kids range  at the annual state shoot.  This year we will host the North American Longbow Safari.  Any opportunity to educate the public to our traditions should be something we all contribute to - be involved.  

Thank you again, Mark. I hope our trails cross again, soon.

[smiley]

 This is one you shouldn't have miss.Even  the wife like it

[smoke1953]

Mark, I really want to thank you. Your performance for our 20th worked out perfectly. Most of the people were spellbound by your singing along with the slideshow for the accompaniment. Truly enjoyed it. Jason, we had to change the date to a week earlier because the other hotel closed down suddenly requiring Whip and I to do a lot of scrambling. It looks a though it will the same weekend as this year for 2013.