DCNR has announced that they have entered into a 35 year lease agreement with a concessioner to re-open Denton Hill State park ski area. As reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, "they intend to reopen the ski resort, update the facilities and create biking paths and dark sky star gazing activities. There has been no timeline released for such improvements or opening date(s)." This may or may not mean anything relating to ETAR. The last ETAR's at Ski Sawmill seem to be well received and attended.

Cliff , ETAR is going well at sawmill, more money spent their and not to the state that didn’t want to do update Denton, star gazing is done at Cherry Springs Park, and I’m too old to Ski any more, so No more Denton for me. Sawmill and ETAR are more to My Liking, Good Day Beav

ETAR is twice as good at Sawmill as it was at Denton Hill IMO.

I have no inside knowledge but don’t see any way ETAR leaves Sawmill. Mike and his family have a great location that they fully control.

Won’t effect ETAR.

I talked to both Mike Sr. and Mike Jr. when I had my vendor table at the Sawmill shoot ETAR will be held at the Ski Sawmill location, there is no going back to the Denton Hill location. Mike and his family have full control of the rendezvous at Sawmill with no interference from the state or the Governor! They were the ones who said no more events at Denton. And they dragged their feet with maintenance and upgrading the facilities there. I for one like the Sawmill location better and the courses aren't as physically demanding. Good bye Denton, great memories but Ski Sawmill is better! Enough said.

Yep, Sawmill is way better! Denton Hill was fun but I feel no comparison to Sawmill.

Almost the exact same distance for me, Denton vs Sawmill, but I'll never go to Sawmill. My traveling rendezvous days are over. Have been. No interest. No want. No need. For what? Been there done that. I wouldnt go back if it was at Denton, which is just up the road from my camp. I quit going to Denton years before they bailed. The last few times, I walked around, didn't shoot, didn't find anything to buy, and walked back out. I pass. I can be bored right here.

For me ETAR is more about meeting friends. I didn’t shoot this year, only made it a day trip, but really enjoyed my time there. I got to talk with friends I haven’t seen in years. There are plenty of less crowded shoots for me to go to for shooting.

Phil X2

I used to do that, and it was nice back then, but most of those friends of mine have died so...

Jeff, I know what you mean. That’s one of the downsides of getting old.

I will never forget the kindness and patience Dean Torges showed to my son at one of the ETAR gatherings, getting my son hooked on building bows. And the same how Wes Waldron (Muldoon) kindness and patience would show to my son for countless hours of explaining everything from knapping to brain tanning.

I miss them and many others that have died or moved on but I found a renewed interest in going to shoots to make new acquaintances and keep in touch with friends before I or they are no longer around.

Love Sawmill.. The one thing I see negative with ETAR at Sawmill is that they already had an identical shoot in the last week of June at the sawmill resort .. called Sawmill Traditional Archery Rendezvous.. “STAR”. So we’d get the STAR shoot at Sawmill in June then Denton for ETAR a month later so made for nice varied shooting experience and a break up of the scenery. “STAR” was always lightly attended whereas ETAR crowded with archers (in a good way IMO)

I finally went to STAR this year and really enjoyed it. Nice, laid back atmosphere unlike the crowds of ETAR.

I think the good things about it include the chance for folks more local to experience the courses and social aspects. Plus it lets the Knefleys get a head start on setting up for ETAR.

Jeff your new handle is "Debbie Downer". Geesh. :)

I attended/camped at STAR this year for the first time since the first one 22 years ago. Then, a month later I attended/camped at ETAR. I had not camped at this shoot for over 20 years. I usually daytripped and stayed in a B&B.

Although they are at the same location the two shoots are worlds apart. STAR is like a block party, ETAR is like Disneyland!

Many good memories of Denton Hill but Sawmill is so much better.

How many times can I put my vote in for Sawmill? not like my vote matters, but it is so much better than denton for vendors. BigJim

I like going to ETAR to see my NJ buddies. I also sell some stuff and buy some stuff things you can’t do at local shoots. Sawmill is an hour closer too for me. The only downside is the generators and the dogs

It would be great if they kept ETAR at Sawmill as is since the grounds are better for so many people.. then maybe rename the late June “STAR” one and over to Denton since not a lot of people go to STAR Denton would hold up fine.. that would be an unbelievable switch -a-roo .. make the Denton lovers AND Sawmill lover happy .,

Not so for me I have been going to SAWMILL in June and meeting up with my New Jersey buds for years and even reserved my campground spot in Morris for next year. Lord willing'.

DENTON HILL REOPENING (NOT FOR ETAR)

Denton is dead for both shoots.

Geesh guys, it's not Mike that is leasing Denton Hill, so there will be no ETAR there. Follow the bouncing ball will you? :) I didn't shoot either, I only stayed the one day anyway, it would have cost me almost $75.00 to stay over the night on Thursday so I came home. My ETAR goings is always for the camaraderie, not the shooting, I can shoot at home and especially on my stump forays. Mike should have moved it years ago.

I have attended Denton many times and Sawmill as well. At age 75 with 2 bad hips, it is very difficult to walk the courses. I won't be going back.

I have been attending for 20 some years always had good times Denton was good but I have to agree with most above that Sawmill is better on many fronts. I'm glad Mike & family and crew have decided to keep it at Sawmill. My opinion it is the right choice.

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