May 13-14, 2006 As always, a special thanks to Nolan Blaschke for allowing all of us to have fun on his exotic deer ranch. Many thanks to my co-TD John Blaschke for all his tireless efforts in making this a success. A special thanks to all those who came out and lent a hand in setting up the field – some came out more than once. Thanks goes to: Tom Barker, Greg Petrosky, Ron Harder, Steve Jurek, Mike Holman, Victor Legler, Ken and Lou Eilers, Norm McCord, Dale Garner, Deidra Dufault, and to Janet Lesak and Kathy Adams for doing the administrative work on the day of the event. If I forgot anyone, send me a note and jog my memory as any omissions were unintentional.
Thanks to the Colorado County JOAD club for creating T-shirts for the event. This was a first ever and there are several shirts still available. They are really cool as they display the archery course on the back of the shirt to insure that no one could possible get lost on the course. Contact Janet Lesak.
Shirt Graphics:
Front:
Back:
The weather cooperated and it was dry. It was also hot and it was windy, very windy. One of the very few field shoots that has wind affecting the scores. We will make an extra special effort to move this event away from Mothers Day next year. We normally have the state field two weeks following the Texas Shootout to allow for field set-up but if we have to go back-to-back weekends, then we will do so to allow the moms to have that day for themselves and give “permission” to the dads to come play archery.
When some of the kids send in their special stories from this years state field, we will add them to the report. In the meantime, I will add my funny moment.
Target #5 is an uphill 20 meter shot. I aimed at the upper left face. I set the site CORRECTLY but still managed to shoot the arrow OVER the target. Dale Garner said he could see it climb for as long as his eyes could see it. We briefly looked for it after scoring but another group was behind us. Later Saturday afternoon, due to the kindness of Richard Locke, Lynnette and Andy True, we went back to #5. Richard stood adjacent to the target, Andy was adjacent and part way down the hill and Annette hid behind target #6 down in the mud flats. I used an older ACE arrow with a hidden crack in it that I considered expendable. When I shot over the target, Richard dropped his raised hand to signal to Andy who did the same for Lynette and all three got a good bead on the flight of the arrow. Not only did it clear the near tree tops but went clean over a couple more tall trees on the far hill almost 150 yards away. There are many hollows out there and we combed them for over half an hour. Finally Andy gave a shout and we climbed up-and-down many hills and found the expensive X-10 shaft sticking in the side of the hill almost 375 yards away. We never bothered to look for the ACE arrow – maybe another day. Thanks to the three hardy archers who helped me find my “briefly” lost X-10.
As always, if anyone finds an error in the results, please let me know and I will fix it as soon as possible but I “tried” to interpret the hieroglyphic score cards as best I could.
Rick Stonebraker
From the peanut gallery:
Clayton shot at a gopher at (about target 17, neither of us can remember exactly where, I’m sure Tom can tell you exactly where.) He missed. However, Colby Hensel, shot and killed the gopher on Sunday, there is a (cross) tombstone at the site. Clayton shot and killed a gopher on Target 2 or there about on Sunday. We really enjoyed the course this year. Very enjoyable. A good way to enjoy Mother’s Day weekend with my kids!!!!
DeBord
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I enjoyed the 2006 State Field Championship, especially getting to meet some really nice people. Getting to shoot with great archers like Debbie Krienke and Staten Holmes was a special treat. On Sunday towards the end of the day our foursome noticed something unusual. It looked like a prankster had placed a 3D target next to our target. But, since we were at Blaschke’s Exotic Deer Ranch we knew that there was another possibility. Sure enough, when Jordan Brown’s first arrow hit the 5 ring, the 3D target …er, the deer took off!
Note: The photo in the photo gallery shows an exotic deer standing right beside the target when the shot was taken. Norman McCord
2005 TSAA State Field Championship Eagle Lake, Texas
The state field was held on the Blaschke exotic deer ranch for the fourth consecutive year with 45 participants and was enjoyed by all, especially the youth. The weather was absolutely beautiful and windy as usual. John Blaschke and I were privileged once again to host this event to the enjoyment of everyone and we had a blast putting it together and tired bones to prove it. A record number of snakes (about a dozen) were observed. Two water moccasins were claimed by very accurate archers. Yours truly chased a chicken snake up a bush and you can see that photo in the gallery. Alligators were spotted before and during the tournament and one was active in a water hole that archers actually shot over, thank goodness no one lost an arrow in there.
A personal thanks to those who came out before, during and after the tournament to help make the event a success. All of your help was much appreciated as it is a big undertaking and could possibly be the only field event in the country or world where the whole course has to be set up and taken back down again. This is due to the hundreds of exotic deer that inhabit the range. Deer enjoy rubbing their antlers on the archery stands and knocking them over. Over the course of two weeks prior to the event, seven stands had to be re-set and four completely rebuilt. One stand was knocked completely off the hill landing on the top of a thorn tree. But the effort is worth it as long as everyone has fun.
A special thanks to Tom Barker for recruiting and bringing about 20 archers from the Victoria area. As a JOAD coach, the most common feedback he received from his archers when asked how they were shooting was, “I don’t know, but I sure am having fun.” For the South Texas Archery contingent, this was a two-day party that was occasionally interrupted by shooting arrows. Tom adds his personal thanks for all the adults that took some time to help a kid with their form or who patiently helped them pull arrows or work their score sheet.
See ya’ll again next year. Rick Stonebraker John and Rick
John Blashke adds: A special thanks to everybody for attending and supporting this event. I look forward to state field all year long. Yes it is true, there is an amazing amount of work and effort that goes into setting up this tournament, My hats off to all my friends who were stomping around in the bull nettles and burning grass and poison ivy who toughed it out with me to make the tournament a success. A very-very special thanks to all of those who were in attendance, the smiles and enjoyment I saw from all the tired and wore out souls from slipping and sliding up and down all those hills, the braving of snake and alligator infested waters, brings tears to my eyes that the alligators didn’t snatch up an archer. Several arrows were lost but we never lost an archer. Thanks everybody for coming out, it made every minute worth while. John Blaschke
NOTE: Due to the challenging nature of the Blaschke Deer Farm course, Rick has included a # to show course records for the Seniors and Masters only. All the Junior/Cadet/Cub/Bowman state records have been broken on the Deer Farm course as of 2002. Several Senior and Master records were set on flat field courses that probably will not get broken at the deer ranch but we would like to recognize those archers who shot exceptionally well. See also the state field records. Rick Stonebraker
2005 TSAA State Field Championship April 9-10 Eagle Lake, Texas
* Indicates a new record, # indicates course record
2004 TSAA State Field Summary by Tournament director, Rick Stonebraker
Wet, wild, and wonderful! Sounds like a day at Splashtown or some other water park. But it was just another exciting day on the field course. The weatherman predicted rain the weekend of May 1-2 and they were right on. The weekend before was actually worse as the field crew waited patiently all day long, looking for a break in the weather to set up the field course. It took a full two days to do what it normally takes in one day but fun was had by all. Preliminary work was done the previous weekends to help alleviate predicted weather.
On Friday, the field crew had a good day to set up the matts and do final preparation for the opening round on Saturday. The unmarked round on Saturday morning was cancelled due to the storm. Those who came for the unmarked and those who came early for the marked round, huddled together in the ranch house and watched the weather reports and satellite predictions. Others sat around playing cards and enjoying the camaraderie that only archers can do. A tornado touched down 20 miles north but you would have thought it set down closer as two of the tent canopies were destroyed.
The BBQ was moved from the ranch house to the new barn where there was plenty of room. The cooks did a great job with the elk roast this year. Those who mingled and ate in the barn had a great time just waiting out the weather. Starting time of 1:30 was delayed until 2:30 and the rain stopped. Only a few sprinkles for awhile but the weather held for the first day while everyone braved the winds and the pools of water at the lower level targets. TD Stonebraker sent multiple warnings during the week to bring rubber boots so those who heeded, bravely sloshed through the water to score and remove arrows. Those in shoes and sneakers waited for others to score or waded through the water but no one complained. The amazing part was the resiliency of archers who brave the elements and still have a good time shooting field. Several groups did not finish until 8 pm Saturday evening.
Sunday was met with a beautiful blue sky and mild temperatures but the winds never subsided. Stonebraker exclaimed in all the years he has shot archery (there have been a few), this was the windiest field shoot he could recall. This is the third consecutive year that the event was held at the Blaschke Exotic Deer Ranch and it was also the most exciting. A record 73 registered this year and only 10 no-shows so the attendance of 63 was still a record, topping the 59 from the year before. Which means – next year should be even better!
Additional comments:
David Gillis Adds: We just wanted to let all of you know that your hard work was appreciated. As we were driving from Seguin to Columbus on Saturday morning I told my van full of archers that it was a real shame all the work that was done to bring this thing off was sure to be wasted. This was while I was driving in a blinding thunder storm. I could not see ahead more than 30′. I pulled into the ranch and the pouring rain didn’t give me much hope. Being an officer in the TFAA I knew what it took to put this tournament together. But in my humble opinion the way it turned out was great. The range was in terrific shape, far better than anyone would have ever thought. This was due to the effort you guys put into it.
If archers want to have fun, I guess you just can’t stop ’em. We look forward to this tournament more and more every time we attend. We can’t wait until next year.
The Gillis family thanks you for your hard work. David, Chris, Kathy and Roxi
TSAA Prez Mike Hojnacki adds: After many years of shooting state and National Field courses, this one by far was the most fun and the most challenged that I have been to. It never amazes me how you can get different angles and different shooting pictures from just changing a stake by a foot or two. Some of those sky shots had me thinking I was launching to the Moon! And boy that wind was a great equalizer for most people, except Staten Holmes, this year’s recurve winner. I had the pleasure of shooting with him and let me tell you, the wind did not seem to bother him, or maybe he just said more prayers and got better wind conditions. Anyway, another great field shooting event, maybe we can bid for a National event one year? Just kidding….or maybe not…
Luis Martinez adds: We had a blast it was a very nice tournament an extremely challenging course and a very well organized competition…CONGRATULATIONS!
The DeBord Family Adds:
Even though I had 5 layers of clothes on Saturday, once again we all agree this is the most fun shoot of the year. The water and mud just made it a little more fun for all of the little boys this year!! Once again, a job well done! THANKS
2003 TSAA State Field Championship May 10-11, 2003 Eagle Lake, Texas
In 2001 at Buffalo Field archers in Houston, the record was tied at 24 archers. In 2002 at Eagle Lake, there was a 50% increase for a record 39 archers. In 2003 at Eagle Lake, there was another 50% increase for yet another record of 59 archers. To say the least, field archery in the TSAA is rising because the kids found another round to explore and enjoy. The weather was hot and humid but a good time was enjoyed by all.
The owner of the Exotic Deer Farm, Nolan Blaschke, gave a special treat this year by offering an ELK BBQ to all the archers and it was received very well. Lots of good eats before everyone attacked the range with enthusiasm. The course had to be changed due to increased rains and soft spots on part of last years course.
The tournament directors (John Blaschke and myself) took liberty by increasing the difficulty of the targets and everyone still had a good time. The typical wind was present for the first day but very little wind the second day. A light sprinkle during the afternoon brought some much-needed cooler weather the second day and the whole event was rated a success. Rick Stonebraker
