Part of the Thunderbird Atlatl staff will be at the Gator Knap-in in Florida this weekend. For those who can’t get to Florida but would like to order atlatl items, just call our home shop at 800-836-4520 and we will be able to handle those orders. You can also order online. If you have trouble ordering, let us know. We are in the process of revamping the web page to make it more user friendly. Currently when you order, you need to use the “check cart” button at the bottom of the page to see that all the items you want are in the cart.

Below is information on the Gator Knap-in:
January 29-31, third annual GATOR-KNAP ’10 Prehistoric Technology Show. Where: Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida. Admission= $4 per vehicle. The Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center in collaboration with the Osceola National Forest would like to extend an invitation for the 3rd annual Gator-Knap to be held January 29-31. The event will be an educational experience geared at bringing together professional and a vocational archaeologists, and all those interested in prehistoric technologies. Demonstrations and classes in technologies such as flint knapping, ceramics, cordage, and carving of stone, shell, bone, and wood will be held at the scenic Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center along the banks of the Suwannee River. Come and teach, learn, or just crack some rock! Featured Speakers: Kenneth E. Sassaman, Hyatt and Cici Brown Professor of Florida Archaeology, University of Florida. Archaeological Insights on the Ancient Shellworks of the St. Johns River, Northeast Florida . Second Speaker TBA. ISAC Atlatl competition. Flint knapping competition. Late night knapping sessions for campers. Free dry camping with access to bathing/restroom facilities for registered knap-in vendors and participants (no reservations needed). If you have any questions/concerns call Lucy Spencer @ Toll Free 1-877-635-3655, or email Lucy.S.Spencer@dep.state.fl.us If you plan on staying in our campground please make your reservation in advance by calling Reserve America at 1-800-326-3521. Regular camping fees will apply. For more information about the Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center State Park and direction see: http://www.floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster
North Florida Gator Knap ’10

Creativity is flowing at the Thunderbird Atlatl shop as we work on new ideas and projects for the 2010 season. We have some new ideas and products we will be introducing this year. Now that the weather is warming up a little, Florida temperatures might be back to normal in a couple weeks when we head south. Here are the shows we will be at in Florida.

Gator-Knap ’10 January 29 to 31
The third annual GATOR-KNAP ’10 Prehistoric Technology Show will take place at the Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida. Admission= $4 per vehicle. The event will be an educational experience geared at bringing together professional and a vocational archaeologists, and all those interested in prehistoric technologies. Demonstrations and classes in technologies such as flint knapping, ceramics, cordage, and carving of stone, shell, bone, and wood will be held at the scenic Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center along the banks of the Suwannee River. Come and teach, learn, or just crack some rock! Featured Speakers: Kenneth E. Sassaman, Hyatt and Cici Brown Professor of Florida Archaeology, University of Florida. Archaeological Insights on the Ancient Shellworks of the St. Johns River, Northeast Florida . Second Speaker TBA. ISAC Atlatl competition. Flint knapping competition. Late night knapping sessions for campers. Free dry camping with access to bathing/restroom facilities for registered knap-in vendors and participants (no reservations needed). Vendors and Exhibitors- (vending fee $25, exhibits free) displays and materials for sale must be related to prehistory and relevant themes. Event staff reserves the right to have any inappropriate material removed from public. To reserve your spot or if you have any questions/concerns call Lucy Spencer @ Toll Free 1-877-635-3655, or email Lucy.S.Spencer@dep.state.fl.us If you plan on staying in our campground please make your reservation in advance by calling Reserve America at 1-800-326-3521. Regular camping fees will apply. For more information about the Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center State Park and direction see: http://www.floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster

Feb. 12-14, 2010. 3rd annual Ochlockonee River Stone Age and Primitive Arts Festival This event will be held two weeks after the Gator Knap-in held in White Springs, Florida and a week before the Withlacoochee Knap-in held near Dade City, Florida. This will give out of state travelers an opportunity to attend three events in three weeks. The park holds this event to showcase primitive and stone age art forms from around the world and to educate the public about the world’s rich prehistory. This event is dedicated to stone age technologies and the park will not allow any artwork that does not fit the theme to be displayed. Please plan on displaying high quality hand made arts, no plastics or trinkets. Vendors will be allowed to sell their art work and knapping supplies. No original artifacts of antiquity can be sold, reproductions only please. . The park provides a primitive camping area for vendors near the event area.. Ochlockonee River State Park is located four miles southwest of Sopchoppy, Florida off of US Highway 319. Regionally this is 35 miles southwest of Tallahassee near the gulf coast. To pre-register for the Ochlockonee River event please contact Linda Trice or Kevin Patton by phone at 850-962- 2771 or contact them by e-mail at Linda.Trice@dep.state.fl.us or Kevin.Patton@dep.state.fl.us To learn more about Ochlockonee River State Park Please visit their .web site at www.floridastateparks.org/ochlockoneeriver To contact the park by mail please mail to Ochlockonee River State Park, P.O. Box 5, Sopchoppy , Florida 32358.

We are recovering from the holiday rush and looking forward to a busy new year! Our dart manufacturing is in full swing and we have a couple of new atlatl designs which we will be showcasing in the next few weeks. We are working on a new catalog and updating our online catalog. It will take a few weeks. If you need any help with your orders, just give us a call at 800-836-4520 and we will help you.
Part of our crew will be heading south to Florida in the next few weeks to attend knap-ins. If you are in the vicinity, please stop by and see us. Here are some upcoming atlatl events:

Jan. 9

Fogelman’s, Turbotville, Pennsylvania
ISAC and local, weather permitting.
Contact Gary Fogleman (570) 437-3698 or iam@indian-artifacts.net

Jan. 13 & 16

Frozen Blanket atlatl throw & ISAC. Laramie, Wyoming
Open to all, equipment and instruction cheerfully provided. Sponsored by the Wyoming Atlatl and Social Club.
Contact: Gary/Regina Dodson wyowinds@aol.com (307) 632-0766
or Russell Richard coyoteclown@aol.com (307) 772-0550 for location and time.

Jan. 23

Indoor Shoot at Jim’s Pro Shop – Shortsville, New York
ISAC and locals. Range Fee $8. 10 am to 1 pm only.
You will want to bring primitive bow with arrows rigged for standard arrow inserts if you want to shoot any of the video hunts on the big screen. Each hunt can accommodate up to 10 people at a time (separate fee is $8 per person) Great Fun and Challenge!
Exit 43 off Thruway and south on 21 to rte 96, 2 miles west (sign will probably say north) to just past blinking light for cty rd 28. The block bldg (4885 Route 96) is on the left. Contact: RSVP to Douglas Bassett (585) 493-3625; Douglas.Bassett@oprhp.state.ny.us

Jan. 29-31

Gator Knap-In
Stephen Foster State Park, White Springs, Florida
ISACs Sat. and Sun.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster/Events.cfm

Feb. 6

3nd Annual Archeolympics
Seminole Canyon State Park , Texas
Contests include the atlatl and rabbit stick, plus a friction fire starting race.
Contact: Tanya.Petruney@tpwd.state.tx.us at (432) 292-4464

Feb. 6

Indoor Shoot at Jim’s Pro Shop – Shortsville, New York
ISAC and locals. Range Fee $8. 10 am to 1 pm only.
You will want to bring primitive bow with arrows rigged for standard arrow inserts if you want to shoot any of the video hunts on the big screen. Each hunt can accommodate up to 10 people at a time (separate fee is $8 per person) Great Fun and Challenge!
Exit 43 off Thruway and south on 21 to rte 96, 2 miles west (sign will probably say north) to just past blinking light for cty rd 28. The block bldg (4885 Route 96) is on the left. Contact: RSVP to Douglas Bassett (585) 493-3625; Douglas.Bassett@oprhp.state.ny.us

Feb. 13

Laguna Niguel, California
Atlatl throw and ISAC. Open to all.
Contact Jim Winn: Paleomanjim@yahoo.com (949) 347-1230

Feb. 13-14

Melting Blanket atlatl throw & ISAC. Cheyenne, Wyoming
Open to all, equipment and instruction cheerfully provided. Sponsored by the Wyoming Atlatl and Social Club.
Contact: Gary/Regina Dodson wyowinds@aol.com (307) 632-0766
or Russell Richard coyoteclown@aol.com (307) 772-0550 for location and time.

Feb. 13-20

Wintercount, Arizona.
50 miles South of Phoenix, Arizona. ISAC each day
“yes, 8 ISAC’s in a row” 8 a.m. daily.
Field Round, Wednesday 17th, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Distance Throw Thursday 18th, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You do not have to be enrolled at Wintercount to compete. Everyone is welcome. Equipment and instruction available. Contact Bob Sizemore at: bobandcarolathome@yahoo.com or (520) 466-6104

Feb, 17 & 20

Melting Blanket atlatl throw & ISAC. Laramie, Wyoming
Open to all, equipment and instruction cheerfully provided. Sponsored by the Wyoming Atlatl and Social Club.
Contact: Gary/Regina Dodson wyowinds@aol.com (307) 632-0766
or Russell Richard coyoteclown@aol.com (307) 772-0550 for location and time.

Feb. 21

2nd Annual Texas Atlatl Championship Tournament
Hosted by the Austin Archery Club at Emma Long Park in Austin, Texas
Thirty 3-D targets in the Hill Country, contest fee = $12. 8:30 AM – 1 PM
More information available on-line: http://www.austinarcheryclub.com

Feb. 27

Indoor Shoot at Jim’s Pro Shop – Shortsville, New York
ISAC and locals. Range Fee $8. 10 am to 1 pm only.
You will want to bring primitive bow with arrows rigged for standard arrow inserts if you want to shoot any of the video hunts on the big screen. Each hunt can accommodate up to 10 people at a time (separate fee is $8 per person) Great Fun and Challenge!
Exit 43 off Thruway and south on 21 to rte 96, 2 miles west (sign will probably say north) to just past blinking light for cty rd 28. The block bldg (4885 Route 96) is on the left. Contact: RSVP to Douglas Bassett (585) 493-3625; Douglas.Bassett@oprhp.state.ny.us

Still want to give an atlatl set for Christmas! We can help with a Thunderbird Atlatl Gift Certificate! Give us a call and we can email a certificate to you or your recipient before Christmas Day. You can also email us with your request at contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com

Our shop has been extremely busy getting orders out. If you haven’t seen your order, give us a call and we can try tracking it for you. You can also try our cell phone at 607-743-4379. The Thunderbird Atlatl Shop is busy filling holiday orders. Atlatls are a unique gift and if you need help with your selection, give us a call and we’ll be happy to talk to you. We can be reached at 800-836-4520 ( (607) 659-3854 ) or try our cell phone at 607-743-4379. You can also reach us by email at contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com. Of course, you can also order from our web page. If you have any problems with ordering, please give us a call.

Unsure of which atlatl to choose from, give us a call and we will help you with your order. It also will give us a chance to tell you what we have in stock. Leave a message if you don’t receive an answer and we will return your call as soon as possible.

If you don’t mind receiving your gift after Christmas, we can still send out orders via standard shipping or if you are purchasing for Orthodox Christmas or a New Year’s present, there is still plenty of time!

Looking forward to hearing from you!