Make your plans, Memorial Weekend, to attend this must do event with several hundred longbow enthusiasts/shooters. Come shoot and test your abilities, as the best longbow shooters around show up for this tournament in Fort Worth, TX. You will have to google it to see the rules. This will get you very tuned up for the Howard Hill Classic-IBO Mid America Championship the following weekend in Alabama.

Call David Sykes, tournament director, for more info.... #817-332-1219

I've never made this event, spoken to David several times. I'm hoping to get there one of these days.

Terry Harris

Shot there twice...wonderful setup, hundreds of great guys, all shooting wood arrows (only). Many shooting Osage!

Can't do it this year :-(

Back Up

Terry Harris

You guys will have to show us some pics of the shot set-ups.

I am going to try to make it for the first time this year, but still hate the wood arrows only rule. Hopefully it is worth building a set haha. I will be down the leaderboard in the "also ran" section :-)

Wish I could make it this year, maybe next year.

Terry Harris

Back Up

Terry Harris

Where is this in Fort Worth? I will attend for sure need to meet some DFW folks.

If anyone plans on going for the first time, be sure to call David. You need to pre register by mail. He will send the form and you will be on the mailing list every year after that. It’s really a great shoot! Actually one of the best shoots I have ever been to!

You can still pre-register also that will save you money But you can do it in the morning of the shoot

It’s really a great shoot, WOOD arrows and all. I don’t have any pictures, but shots are set up in real hunting type set ups. Some uphill, some downhill, a lot of short shots, and a few longer ones. Lots of great folks, and vendors. Some top notch shooters show up for sure. I haven’t cleared it with my wife yet, but I’m hoping on making it again this year.

excellent shoot, very organized and well run. you are grouped to shoot and a shot gun start both days, shoot from 9-1, finish before the day gets too hot, most of the shoot along a small river, so under trees. good food vendor onsite, primitive camping onsite, several vendors, one of our favorite shoots.

Back Up

Terry Harris

Praying for a kitchen pass this year!!!

40 DAYS FROM TODAY!!!

Terry Harris

Please post a flyer or something about this event.

I shot it once, ,it was one of the best shoots I ever went too,, really enjoyed it,,

Tons of great longbow shooters at this event. Google it on the internet and you should find more info. I will see if I can find a flyer to post. They give buckles out to top 10 or so. The competition is excellent. A real longbow championship for everyone who loves the longbow.

WON'T BE LONG NOW!!!

Terry Harris

I know there is some stipulations on the type of equipment.

My question is, will a 54” Pika longbow from Montana Bows-Dan Toelke qualify as appropriate equipment for the competition?

A.R.

So.TX_Cazador, google it, or look on the tbot facebook page, or in the trad section of the texas bowhunter forum. There is a drawing that shows what is required

I’ve looked it up. I only inquired to see if another Montana Bow owner has previously competed, with a similar bow. I’ve read that BW longbows were accepted (kind of gray area). I have a standard grip, photo below, but I’m unsure if it would be considered a pistol grip.

Cazador, they were tough with my Carroll, which is marginally pistol...less than your Pika. GreAt opportunity to get a more conservative bow...lots of opportunities there. Wood arrows only!

So, does anyone have an idea of what constitutes a pistol grip, or where that line is drawn? I am registered, but am beginning to wonder if i should show up, IDK if my bow is legal now.

jk - maybe a more “conservative” bow will make me more of a traditional bow hunter / archer. I have been eyeballing a Howard Hill - Bobcat for awhile now. I may need to contact Craig. Thanks for the insight - A.R.

Maybe you should contact David. I have seen pistol grips that were approved

rjh...would be the ultimate place to shop for an osage selfbow.

I have shot since 2013 with a Toelke Whip without an issue

I was told the grip on what i am shooting *should* be ok, if the bow makes the measurements. That was just a guy who has shot it a lot opinion though. I am planning on using the galaxy Black ridge hybrid. I don't have the bow yet but Lancaster measured it and said it looked like it made the measurements to them. So I am crossing my fingers and looking forward to a good match.........if i get to shoot it haha

I know many people shoot this tourney and their bows pass the test, or they let them go through without checking. I don't know, as I know some are center shot. Go have fun, enjoy your shots, and the experience. But I really wish they would relook and address these rules, and fix them so they are enforced for all who come with a bow. It's such a great tourney with so many archers having a great time.

"I know many people shoot this tourney and their bows pass the test, or they let them go through without checking. I don't know, as I know some are center shot. Go have fun, enjoy your shots, and the experience. But I really wish they would relook and address these rules, and fix them so they are enforced for all who come with a bow. It's such a great tourney with so many archers having a great time."

I agree, the rules are very arbitrary and subjective as written. I was told they are that way cause way back a guy showed up with a 21st Century bow and whipped everyone and feathers got ruffled. IDK if that is true or not, but I have heard it from several people. I just hope to get to shoot it and have fun. Part of me wants to just skip it because of the rule set, but so many people say it is a great shoot I am willing to look past that and shoot it, assuming my bow is legal......

RJH1...that is exactly the story I got. Maybe there is some truth to it. Yes, just show up and have some fun. Sometimes winning isn't about winning first place. You go and shoot well, (even if bow not legal), then your performance will be a win!!!

I have gone to this shoot over twenty times and always had a great time. From time to time, I have shot bows with 25" risers that were not legal. They still let me shoot although I couldn't win anything and I had just as much fun. If your bow happens to not pass, I think you will still enjoy the shoot.

i think that is a good point. If they let you shoot for fun, why not go.

IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE COMPETITION!!!

Fun, Fellowship & Friends.

Terry Harris

I am going, but for me it is %100 about the competition, not that i expect to win or even get close to it. If i want to shoot "just for fun" I will do that nearby for free. Driving a couple of hours and paying for a hotel, restaurant meals, entry fees, etc., to then find out your equipment is illegal for something that is not well defined in the rules would be very annoying to say the least. Anyway, probably won't be any issue, but clear rules for a shoot never hurts

RJH1, good luck and hope you get to compete.

Terry Harris

RJH1....AMEN. that Is spot on. I personally love the competition too. But I want to feel comfortable with my equipment. With well defined rules that are enforced. Wish we knew what passes and what’s illegal. I know for sure centershot is not enforced. Lol. But it’s on the rules.

The rules have been that way for a very long time and we always have a lot of shooters and very little complaints. If your bow fits the measurements in the flier that is listed and you have wood arrows you are fine. Pistol grip really isn’t enforced or center shot. It’s best to preregistration as it helps us and saves you money but you can register at the shoot I’ll be working the table and we will have slots aplenty

David, thanks for the input. Nice to hear from someone who works the match, makes me feel better haha. I sent my money in a bout 10 days ago, I think i am supposed to get a packet or something, but I am a newb at this match though, so i may be confused on that.

You will pick up your packet at the shoot which had your stuff all in it. The first day is random flights 50 targets groups of 4 the next day you ahoot 50 more with people who you scored similar to the day before. Camping is available and a few. Vendors.

Thank you Dkincaid,that is the response I was hoping for. I have about an 8 hour drive from Alice - west of Corpus Christi, and I didn’t want to be turn away. RJH1 - Your clarity and punctuality is appreciated. Hope to see you there. - S.T.C.

How many of us have only one bow?

jk, I actually have 0 longbows right now. I have several recurves, but the recurve championship was last weekend and asking for them to let me shoot a recurve in the longbow championship, might be stretching it haha. My longbow is supposed to be here Monday, so still hoping it makes it on time and in one piece :-)

I wish I could make this shoot, it it’s a long ways for me. I love the wood arrows stipulation. Wood arrows go with longbows. Never did think a good set of cedars was any kind of handicap.

ONLY TWENTY DAYS AWAY!!!

Terry Harris

Let me say again, if you shoot a Howard Hill or Howard Hill style bow, don't miss this well established Longbow Championship.

Terry Harris

What a great way to spend your Memorial Day weekend.

Terry Harris

Are they having the short course (25 targets) this year?

I see that they are.

My favorite course to shoot each year. Love the 50 target format and all of the shot setups they have every year that covers just about every situation you can think of!

Coming up soon!!!

Short course for me if I go. I have to go to work that weekend.

We have a graduation to attend in the neighborhood and would like to make this shoot as well. Any idea if a late model widow will pass the smell test thanks in advance and look foward to making it.

NEXT WEEKEND FOLKS, DON'T MISS IT!!!

Terry Harris

Tommy, seen several widows shot the last few years so shouldn't have a problem at all

Thanks Shiloh.

Dang!! Our truck broke down on the way to Mississippi for their shoot! Guess we won’t make this shoot either.

SEVEN DAYS AWAY!!!

Always heard this is a great event and if you're gonna travel on Memorial Day weekend, what a great place to go to and spend your time flinging arrows.

Terry Harris

SIX DAYS & COUNTIN'

Terry Harris

Back up for a great shoot with hundreds of longbow shooters. Everything’s bigger in TX including archery. Test ur skills amongst the elite longbow specialist. Big as this shoot is, it could be a longbow world championship.

ONLY FOUR DAYS TO GO FOR THIS EVENT!!!

For years, this event has been a staple for those that love competing with Howard Hill Style bows.

Terry Harris

I’m so bummed that I have to work on Saturday... ~ S.T.C.

> competing with Howard Hill Style bows Hmm, I've never been but I'd always heard that contrary to the name, it is actually a semi-recurve event with hill style bows relegated to that of a curiosity.

Don’t be that ASL - American Semi Longbow, guy. I want to punch my phone when I read that. D-Shape & Flat limbs, longbow.

feel free to punch your phone. Howard Hill had the intellectual honesty to call his bow a "semi long bow". I'm not sure why we should ask less of modern archers shooting these heavily reflexed bows. "semi recurve bow" seems to be the most accurate description as in terms of design and shooting characteristics they have much more in common with traditional recurves than they do with traditional longbows.

inb4 "the string doesn't touch the limbs when strung" - neither does a mongolian horse bow if you brace it high enough. Maybe I'll pick one of those up and show up next year and watch them try to explain why it isnt a longbow under their rules.

Non-Typical Longbow 54” Spread 54 points and 28 inch beams

Love the sport! Love TX! Love longbows, recurves, semi, HH, reflex/deflex, centershot, broom handle with haystring, etc, etc etc....not the equipment!!! It is the archer! Always fun to shoot a bow of any kind!

Lots of selfbows, lots of Osage!

Me and my selfbow will be there. Great shoot and lots of good people/shooters.

STARTS TOMORROW, YEEEHAAAA!!!!

Terry Harris

Can't wait to see everyone. Honestly my favorite course to shoot each year.

Prayers sent for safe travels to and from the event. Please enjoy it for everyone who can’t make it, like me.

Does anyone have an address for this event?

9900 watercress drive. Fort Worth. Gate is a 1/2 mile down once you turn on watercress.

I’m super jealous to anyone attending.

Does anyone there have camera phone pictures to share?

How was the first day?

Was a good 1st day. Great course set up. Weather good. Lots of guys competing for top scores. Wish I was one of them,lol. Maybe tomorrow will treat me better :)

Did any Leatherwall’r get first place?

Sure wasn’t me. Best I did this year was 21st. Came up 2 points short of a buckle. Lots of great shooters.Had a great time. Great shoot. If you have never made this shoot you need to. They did not use their jig to check bows this year, but I heard still no 3 piece would be allowed.

Rats! Those buckles looked nice. I saw someone on FB who posted a photo of his bow/buckle. Clearly is wasn't a Hill style bow, but a "recurve style" longbow (deflex/reflex), as some purist would consider. Would you care to share some photos of the event?

Sorry I didn’t take any photos. I have an older IPhone 5 that keeping the battery charged is getting to be a challenge, so had to save it in case family needed to get ahold of me. Yeah not getting a buckle was alittle disappointing. This was my 4th time in going and I got buckles the 1st three times. Good to see more shooters upping there game though. I don’t feel to bad because I’ve always shot a homemade selfbow in the open class, so I still feel pretty good about 21st.

Nobody in Texas have a camera? Come on! I live vicariously through people that go to these!!

I didn't take any pic's of the course, but here is the scoreboard.

Always an enjoyable shoot.

Other scoreboard

where are the photos from the shoot ?!?

What constitutes a "Senior"

Didn’t take many pics this year but here’s a couple I snapped along the way. A miss on day one cost me in the end, but had a blast shooting with old friends and some new ones as well. Awesome setup as always and can’t wait till next year.

Elk across the creek and up the hill

The mountain goat shot up the bluff from the bottom

Tom D, great score. You were right up there with the open class. I can only hope to make it next year. ~ S.T.C.

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here