Western MT bow shops

[TomBow]

Next week, my wife and I will be in Kalispell, any suggestions on trad bow shops to visit?

[Gator1]

TomBow:

2 come to mind.

Schaefer Bows

Toelke Bows

[Orion]

There is an archery shop in Kalispell, just south of town on 93, however, it doesn't have much trad stuff.  There was another on the north side of town on Hwy 2 (don't know if it's still there), but it, too, caters to the wheely guys.

Lots of bow builders in the area, of course.  Dan Tolke's shop is in Ronan, about 30-40 miles south of Kalispell.  It's on Hwy 93 on the way to Kalispell if you're driving. Dave and Beth Windauer are a few miles south of town.  Bear's Paws is about 20 miles south of Kalispell at Lakeside. There are another four-five builders in the Hamilton Area, including Howard Hill, Selway, Thunderhorn, Centaur and others and, of course, Dick Robertson further northeast.  Good idea to call first before dropping in on them.

[4 point]

Don't forget Dale Dye in Hamilton.

[Orion]

Yep.

[TomBow]

We have been to Dan Toelke's twice, 2nd time I pulled the trigger on my Whip LOVE THIS BOW!  Wanted to hit a real trad shop as I have been in too many (frustrating) shops with a billion wheelie items and say 2 trad bows.  It is fun to online shop but I like touchin' stuff.

[centaur]

Howard Hill Archery in Hamilton  

[Elkchaser]

There are honestly not very many trad shops around Montana (at least that I'm aware of). It seems like most of them cater to the wheelie bows and have about a 3' x 5' space (if that) on the shelf for the trad gear.

Bowyers, yes we have lots of good ones.    
Shops, not so much.    :(

[TomBow]

So Robertson's in Hamilton seems to be the only dedicated shop?  It does seem that Hamilton holds alot of bowyers and a few shops.  Probably going to dedicate a day trip there.

Thanks for the info.

[JimB]

Dick Robertson isn't in the Hamilton area.Forest Grove,East of Lewistown.

[Orion]

Need to amend my post.  He's northeast, not southeast, of Hamilton, by quite some distance.

[Elkchaser]

Howard Hill Archery is in Hamilton and they stock some trad gear. Arrows and such.

[TomBow]

Yes, Forest Grove is east of Lewiston, almost mid-state Montana.  Hamilton is in an area which appears to have a bit of wildfire trouble right now so I might have to forego visiting that area as the fire fighters probably have enough traffic to deal with.

Thanks again and again my bow brudders.

Tom B.

[JockC]

I'm in Missoula, and the air quality right now is godawful.  Lolo is worse; that fire is somewhere around 10K acres now.  We are due to get storms today and this weekend, which will be a catastrophe if dry lightning and big wind hit and a godsend if they bring any decent amount of rain.  Call ahead.  Just now, it's not a good time to drive south of Missoula.  Shame, since those Bitterrooters build some fine bows.

Toelke is a fine guy and an outstanding bowyer.  He supports Traditional Bowyers of Montana, Montana Bowhunters Association, and youth archery in a big way.  The Windauers (Schafer Silvertip Bows) and the Bear's Paw guy are also good people.  If you go to Toelke's, hit the Bison Range in Moiese in early morning, visit with Dan in the afternoon, and drive up the other side of the lake on your way back.  That would be a big day for anyone.

Dick Robertson is a good friend and a great bowyer, but he's about six hours from here.

[JockC]

Whoops!  I didn't see your post, TomBow, that you had been to Dan's twice...

[TomBow]

No problem Jock. You are correct, Dan and Jared Toelke are great people.  Looks like we are going to hit the Windauers and go see some Shafer Silvertips.  Thank you for the info.  I started to see info on the fires down in the Bitterroot area yesterday and it is great to have an update.

Best of Luck to you and yours!
Tom Brissee

[Bob4st]

...I also will be out there in a few weeks and plan on visiting HH in Hamilton... I'm a little worried it may be a bad idea financially as I find it mighty hard to turn my back on HH equipment...... Hmmm, lets see...another glove couldn't hurt, oh yeah and a back quiver, some extra strings, and that Big 5  sure would be nice to own... Ya know, a friend once told me that it's easier to get forgiveness than permission... Uh oh, I'm slipping...