When I got into shooting traditional bows earlier this year, I immersed myself in it ranging from continual online study reading and watching YouTube videos to joining forums and even joining the Professional Bowhunters Society. Another thing I did was put the Eastern Traditional Archery Rendezvous (ETAR) on my calendar, which is an event I hadn’t been to since 2007, now almost 20 years ago! It was held at Denton Hill State Park in those days but eventually moved to its current location at Ski Sawmill Resort. The last time I was there it was as a vendor for my scent company, Appalachian Whitetails. I do remember shooting a few targets while there, but I was hardly a committed trad shooter.
This trip would be far different. I booked an Airbnb in the nearby town of Morris and planned to spend two nights there. While getting a few days of shooting in was the main reason for going, I also wanted to scout out the event for attending future years and remind myself what it’s all about. I excitedly made the trek north on Thursday morning and arrived just after 9 AM shortly after the event officially opened. Getting there, parking, registering ($50 to shoot for the entire event), and finding my first course was a breeze, and within the first hour I was flinging arrows.
This was my first time at Ski Sawmill Resort and I could quickly tell it was going to be a better venue than what I experienced at Denton Hill State Park. The vendors were centrally located, the facilities were in good shape, and there was an abundance of camping and parking space. There were decent food options and the porta potty’s were continually maintained. Don’t get me wrong, I still did a ton of walking between my truck and the main event area, but that was more a symptom of deciding not to camp or use the shuttles they provided.
Once I got my feet under me I started on the Mountain Course but it was backed up and I forgot my handkerchief for wiping sweat from my head and face. I decided to pivot and return to the truck to get the handkerchief and then hit the Deep Woods Course on that side of the road. I shot it from start to finish with few delays and made some new friends along the way. In fact, I was feeling so good that I also shot the new Pine Tree Course and Winery Course to round out the day. That was a lot of shooting and it was hot, so I opted to get to my Airbnb to get checked in and get a shower. That was enough for one day, but I was excited for what was yet to come.
On day two I shot the Mountain Course and the other course that’s on the mountain, but the name is escaping me at the moment. I also shot the Pig Pen Course where I got stuck in a downpour while trying to navigate the slow pace. I have to say it was my least favorite because it was in a swamp and there were several targets per station. I got behind a group of 10 people who weren’t in any hurry, which only made things worse. I decided to skip out before finishing and instead went to the nearby Badlands Course.
That evening I stuck around to spend some time visiting the vendors and also to check out the swap meet. From the vendor tent I purchased an ETAR tee shirt, Push Archery pocket quiver, and a half dozen arrows cut and fletched. I also bought a cool green colored leather strap on quiver from Big Jim’s Archery and promptly put it on my longbow. At the swap meet, I had no plans to buy anything until I came across a vintage Bear Grizzly bow that was in excellent shape. An old fellow named Mel told me he needed to part ways with some things and this bow was one of them. He was only asking $175 but sensing he really wanted to sell it I offered $150 and he accepted. Everyone needs a Bear bow, right? Getting the money turned into a two day affair as the ATM was temporarily down but we eventually consummated the deal.
On Saturday, I shot the Deep Woods course one more time as it was my favorite and it seemed like the appropriate way to end a great trip. I returned to the vendor tent and picked up a new string for the Grizzly and also a tee shirt from Dalton at The Stickboys booth. I hated to leave but I was away from home for three days and I had to get back to reality and my responsibilities there.
As a whole the experience was fantastic and even spiritual. Something interesting also happened. I went into the event planning to use my Hoyt Satori as my main hunting bow but left having fallen in love with the custom longbow I had made for me by Jeff Findish about 20 years ago. All it took was changing up my arrows and it started shooting like a dream. It shot so well that I tabbed it my hunting bow for this fall and promptly came home and listed my Satori for sale. That decision was made easier when I shot the Grizzly for the first time and had it tuned and firing on all cylinders within a couple hours of being home. What an unexpected turn of events.
As soon as the dates for the 2026 event were posted I put them on my calendar. Next year I plan to camp so I can stay onsite, save a few bucks, and be closer to the action. I was reminded why ETAR became the mega event that it is. Now more than ever I’m eaten up with shooting traditional bows, and I love the culture around it. ETAR people are my people, and I can’t wait to get back.