Category Archives: News

Farewell to two atlatl friends

We were sorry to learn in the past few days of the deaths of Atlatl and Bow Maker Lou Becker of Michigan and Atlatl maker and artist Chuck Burtorajac of Pennsylvania. Both gentleman have been known in the atlatl community for many years.
We were privileged to first meet Lou in the early 90s at one of the first atlatl contests we hosted at the Waterman Center in Apalachin, NY. Bob Berg and Lou Becker went on one of the earliest known modern atlatl hunts of wild boar in Georgia in the early 90s. It was Lou Becker who inspired Bob Berg to believe that atlatls could be revived as a modern hunting weapon.
We first met Chuck (known to many as “half-beard” because of his signature look) at an atlatl contest at Borderlands farm in New Jersey also in the 1990s. He quickly became a fan of the atlatl and made it to many contests and shows before health problems curtailed traveling.
Both Chuck and Lou were early supporters of the atlatl and contributed greatly to the resurgence of the atlatl. They will both be missed. Our condolences to their families and friends.

Upcoming Events:
We will be at two places this weekend: Connecticut and Maine. Check out our previous post for details. We will post further updates on Wednesday.

Atlatl Demonstrations at the Tioga Center Pumpkin Festival; Great Time in Vermont

Thunderbird Atlatl will be at the 4th Annual Pumpkin Festival Saturday, September 26, at Ransom Park in Tioga Center, NY. We will be demonstrating the atlatl throughout the day long program.

Once again, the annual Chimney Point Atlatl Contest and Workshop was a well attended program. The weather was fantastic and lots of people had an opportunity to try the atlatl and participate in contests. John and Bette Morris and Greg Maurer offered a special opportunity on Sunday for people to try the atlatl. The festivities surrounding the 400th anniversary of the discovery of Lake Champlain by Samuel De Champlain added to the festivities.

Here’s where Thunderbird Atlatl will be in the upcoming weeks:

Oct. 3-4

New England Atlatl Day
Hammonasset Festival, Hammonasset Beach State Park , Madison, Connecticut
ISAC and Local Competitions co-sponsored by the Friends of Hammonasset and the CT State Museum of Natural History / CT Archaeology Center.
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 4:00.
Camping available.
For more information contact Gary Nolf gnolf@comcast.net

Oct. 3 to 4

Maine Primitive Gathering Workshop Schedule

Friday Oct 2
12noon Opening Circle
1-4pm Afternoon Instruction Block
Introduction to Basic Blacksmithing- Will Sampson
Gourdcraft- Jeff Gottlieb
Inuit Strap Drill- Al Cornell
4-6pm Archery Tournament
6pm Dinner Block

Saturday Oct 3
7:30am Instructor & Volunteer Meeting
8:30am Morning Announcements
9-12 Morning Instruction Block
Language of the Birds- Dan Gardoqui (White Pine Programs)
Hide in a Day: Wet Scrap Method- Kfir Mendel (Two Wolves)
Primitive Knife Making- Adriaan Gerber
Campfire Cooking for Kids- Rudy Bourget
Atlatl Theory and Use- Bob Berg (Thunderbird Atlatl)
Lacto-Fermentation- Candi Huber
12noon Lunch Block
1-4pm Afternoon Instruction Block
Hide in a Day: continued- Kfir Mendel (Two Wolves)
Aleutian Style Kayak Paddle- Andy Dobos (Three Red Trees)
One Piece Knife Sheath- Robin Sampson
Wild Basketry- Jeff Gottlieb
Making Simple Clay Smoking Pipes- Charlie Paquin
Wild Edible Walk- Frank Pfisterer
4-6pm Trade Blanket (bring stuff to trade)- Jeff Gottlieb
6pm Primitive Potluck- everyone bring a healthy dish to share
7pm Music with Anya Rose (bring your instruments)

Sunday Oct 4
8:30am Morning Announcements
9-12 Morning Instruction Block
Language of the Birds- Dan Gardoqui (White Pine Programs)
Drilling Slate Pendants- Jeff Gottlieb
A Shower of Sparks- Rudy Bourget
Intro to Permaculture- Jesse Watson
Cordage: principles & techniques- Bob Berg (Thunderbird Atlatl)
12noon Lunch Block
1-4pm Afternoon Instruction Block
Primitive Trapping- Dany Hamel & Chris Sommers
Lost Proofing- Rudy Bourget
Fire Saw- Al Cornell
Permaculture Patterns- Jesse Watson
Useful Stone Tools: flakes & unifaces- Charlie Paquin
4pm Closing Circle

Oct. 10-11

Annual Candor Fall Festival Atlatl Contests and Demonstrations
at Side Hill Acres Goat Farm, Route 96, Candor, New York
Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to 4 both days.
ISAC, IAC and local contests and demonstrations.
For further information contact Bob or Cheryll Berg at 1-800-836-4520 or Thunderbirdatlatl@gmail.com

Oct. 17 to 18

GLENN MAIRO
AND THE DANVERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Present the:

“6th ANNUAL MASSACHUSETTS ATLATL FIELD DAYS –
A Family Friendly Primitive Skills Event”

Saturday October 17th – Sunday October 18th, 2009

Saturday – Tapley Memorial Hall – 9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Free Admission!
Workshops for all ages and skill levels by: Bob Berg-Thunderbird Atlatl, “Trapper John” Enos, Jeff Gottlieb, and guests from the Maine Primitive School. Workshop materials fee will be paid directly to workshop instructors.
Talks by: Maine Primitive School staff, and Glenn Mairo

Sunday – Endicott Park Activity Field – 9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Free Admission!
Atlatl throwing for all ages on well-regulated, safe target ranges. Vendors include: Thunderbird Atlatl, Richard Parker Lithic Tools, “Trapper John” Enos, and Jeff Gottlieb.

Contact: Glenn Mairo
978-580-9437
gmairo@hotmail.com

Busy Fall Ahead. Check Out Where Thunderbird Atlatl Will Be!

Sept. 18-20

Chimney Point State Historic Site, Addison, Vermont

Atlatl Workshop. Atlatl experts Bob and Cheryll Berg of Thunderbird Atlatl will teach you modern and traditional techniques of atlatl and dart construction, flint knapping, hafting stone points, and cordage making. Enjoy atlatl lore and coaching on the use of your new atlatl. Bob has taught primitive skills and the atlatl for 17 years. This is his 14th year at Chimney Point. $65 fee includes instruction and all materials. Pre-registration required. Vermont Archaeology Month program. Noon – 5:00 PM.

September 19: Fourteenth Annual Northeastern Open Atlatl Championship & Chimney Point Knap-In and Festival of Nations
Participate in or watch this annual championship, part of the Festival of Nations with the Crown Point, NY, State Historic Site. The sport of atlatl throwing is based on the ancient hunting technique of using the atlatl or spear thrower. Flint knapping and other Native American life and craft demonstrations. Pre-registration preferred. Champlain 400th signature event–Festival of Nations. Top Ten Vermont Fall Event. Co-sponsored by Vermont Archaeological Society. Vermont Archeology Month program. Camping at DAR State Park. 10:30 – 4:30 PM.

September 20: ISAC Atlatl Championship
Second day of atlatl International Standard Accuracy Competition. The Knap-in and Festival of Nations continues. After ISAC, master class/coaching for boys and girls. 10:00 AM.

(802) 759-2412 www.HistoricVermont.org/chimneypoint

Oct. 3-4

New England Atlatl Day
Hammonasset Festival, Hammonasset Beach State Park , Madison, Connecticut
ISAC and Local Competitions co-sponsored by the Friends of Hammonasset and the CT State Museum of Natural History / CT Archaeology Center.
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 4:00.
Camping available.
For more information contact Gary Nolf gnolf@comcast.net

Oct. 3 to 4

Maine Primitive Gathering Workshop Schedule

Friday Oct 2
12noon Opening Circle
1-4pm Afternoon Instruction Block
Introduction to Basic Blacksmithing- Will Sampson
Gourdcraft- Jeff Gottlieb
Inuit Strap Drill- Al Cornell
4-6pm Archery Tournament
6pm Dinner Block

Saturday Oct 3
7:30am Instructor & Volunteer Meeting
8:30am Morning Announcements
9-12 Morning Instruction Block
Language of the Birds- Dan Gardoqui (White Pine Programs)
Hide in a Day: Wet Scrap Method- Kfir Mendel (Two Wolves)
Primitive Knife Making- Adriaan Gerber
Campfire Cooking for Kids- Rudy Bourget
Atlatl Theory and Use- Bob Berg (Thunderbird Atlatl)
Lacto-Fermentation- Candi Huber
12noon Lunch Block
1-4pm Afternoon Instruction Block
Hide in a Day: continued- Kfir Mendel (Two Wolves)
Aleutian Style Kayak Paddle- Andy Dobos (Three Red Trees)
One Piece Knife Sheath- Robin Sampson
Wild Basketry- Jeff Gottlieb
Making Simple Clay Smoking Pipes- Charlie Paquin
Wild Edible Walk- Frank Pfisterer
4-6pm Trade Blanket (bring stuff to trade)- Jeff Gottlieb
6pm Primitive Potluck- everyone bring a healthy dish to share
7pm Music with Anya Rose (bring your instruments)

Sunday Oct 4
8:30am Morning Announcements
9-12 Morning Instruction Block
Language of the Birds- Dan Gardoqui (White Pine Programs)
Drilling Slate Pendants- Jeff Gottlieb
A Shower of Sparks- Rudy Bourget
Intro to Permaculture- Jesse Watson
Cordage: principles & techniques- Bob Berg (Thunderbird Atlatl)
12noon Lunch Block
1-4pm Afternoon Instruction Block
Primitive Trapping- Dany Hamel & Chris Sommers
Lost Proofing- Rudy Bourget
Fire Saw- Al Cornell
Permaculture Patterns- Jesse Watson
Useful Stone Tools: flakes & unifaces- Charlie Paquin
4pm Closing Circle

Oct. 10-11

Annual Candor Fall Festival Atlatl Contests and Demonstrations
at Side Hill Acres Goat Farm, Route 96, Candor, New York
Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to 4 both days.
ISAC, IAC and local contests and demonstrations.
For further information contact Bob or Cheryll Berg at 1-800-836-4520 or Thunderbirdatlatl@gmail.com

Oct. 17 to 18

GLENN MAIRO
AND THE DANVERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Present the:

“6th ANNUAL MASSACHUSETTS ATLATL FIELD DAYS –
A Family Friendly Primitive Skills Event”

Saturday October 17th – Sunday October 18th, 2009

Saturday – Tapley Memorial Hall – 9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Free Admission!
Workshops for all ages and skill levels by: Bob Berg-Thunderbird Atlatl, “Trapper John” Enos, Jeff Gottlieb, and guests from the Maine Primitive School. Workshop materials fee will be paid directly to workshop instructors.
Talks by: Maine Primitive School staff, and Glenn Mairo

Sunday – Endicott Park Activity Field – 9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Free Admission!
Atlatl throwing for all ages on well-regulated, safe target ranges. Vendors include: Thunderbird Atlatl, Richard Parker Lithic Tools, “Trapper John” Enos, and Jeff Gottlieb.

Contact: Glenn Mairo
978-580-9437
gmairo@hotmail.com

We were sorry to miss the Knapin at Flint Ridge. It was a good decision to stay close to home.

Change in Plans For Labor Day Weekend!We will not be at Flint Ridge.

We were packed and ready to go to the Flint Ridge KnapIn and even started on our way… However, a family emergency here at home has changed our plans. We feel bad about missing our annual trip to Ohio and seeing all our friends and customers but feel we need to be at home this year to be with Cheryll’s mother.

If you want to reach us with a question or need something from us, give us a call at 800-836-4520 or try our cell phone at 607-743-4379 or leave a message on our answering machine or email and we will get back to you. Our email address is contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com At Flint Ridge, look for Dana or Kay Klein and they can help you contact us.

See you next year at The Ridge!
Warm Regards,
Bob and Cheryll Berg

Flint Ridge KnapIn Labor Day Weekend

The Thunderbird Atlatl crew will be at the annual Flint Ridge KnapIn at the Flint Ridge Memorial Park in Brownsville, Ohio, this weekend. The event takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 4, 5 and 6. The event is hosted by the Flint Ridge Lithic Society.

For information on atlatl events at Flint Ridge, contact Steve Barnett barnz@juno.com 740-698-6553 or Ray Strischek ohioatlatl@hotmail.com 740-593-2365

After Thursday, you can reach us on our cell phone at 607-743-4379 or call our 800 number – 800-836-4520 and leave a message. We will be back in Candor on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Despite rain, the Old Stone Tool Show at Letchworth State Park was a fun event with many atlatlists showing up. Doug Bassett did an amazing job organizing the event.

Other Labor Day weekend atlatl events are listed below:
Sept. 4-6
21st Annual Montana Mammoth Hunt
at the First People’s Buffalo Jump State Park, near Ulm, Montana
ISAC all three days and European field round on Saturday and Sunday
Contact Robert Tompson at (406) 866-2219

Sept. 4-6
Tyoga Shoot-off
389 Simkin Rd. Elmira, New York
ISAC, IASAC, Hunters Animal Round, Distance throw, Individuals, Team competition, NYAA Qualifying. A New York Atlatl Association, Inc. sponsored and insured event.
Contact: Jack 570-888-8258 rjrowe93@gmail.com or Tom Goble; 607-215-9405

Sept. 5-6
Cool 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.