It was a great weekend, as always, at the Green Flats Atlatl Rattle in Hancock, NY. Hosts Ray Turner and Chris Pappas put on a great program. Ray’s eel business sustained a lot of damage in recent flooding but he is open for business again. It is certainly worth a stop if you are in the area.
People showed up in traditional modes of transportaion for the event but there was even a group rafting down the Delaware who stopped in when they saw atlatls being cast along the river bank! All were welcomed. The knap-in, atlatl contests, great food, auction, swimming and great camraderie made for a fantastic weekend.

The Green Flats Atlatl Rattle is still scheduled July 27 to 30 in Hancock, NY along the banks of the Delaware River.
Host Ray Turner says the event is still on but he will need some extra help this year as the very scenic Delaware River was not so scenic just a few weeks ago when it devastated the area with flood waters. Ray and Chris Pappas set up this very popular event for atlatlists each year. Ray had a lot of losses in the flood this year and any help we can give him will be appreciated.
After talking to Ray, Scott_Van_Arsdale posted the following on Community Zero, Ray “took a big financial hit in the flood, so we will have to raise funds to pay for the hay, porta-johns and any rented tents. He wants everybody to do what they normally do (have lots of fun!), but be prepared to do some more work than just the usual stoning of the eel weir.”
For further information, you can contact Thunderbird Atlatl or contact a World Atlatl Association member.

ATLATL HUNTING
Ron Mertz of Missouri reports that the Regulations Committee of the Missouri Department of Conservation unanimously approved proposed regulations that will legalize the atlatl for hunting and fishing in Missouri, excluding deer and turkey. While we would like to have had deer included, I think the Department has taken an important step since the regulations (and our Code Book) will now specifically refer to atlatls and should help to build awareness. Their proposal will go the the Commissioners in August and the Department staff do not feel there will be any problems in it being approved. After approval, they will become effective in March 2007.” Thanks Ron for the update and yor efforts!
In Pennsylvania, the ongoing effort to get the atlatl approved for deer hunting continues. It is moving forward thanks to the dedicated efforts of many including Russ Guthrie, Jack Rowe, George Miller, Gary Fogelman, Dennis Lantz, Bob Berg and others. A meeting with the Pennsylvania Game Commission staff is scheduled for August 23 in Harrisburg.

Thunderbird Atlatl will be at the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor, Maine, Friday, July 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the museum’s “Fantastic Friday” program.
Participants will have the opportunity to build their own atlatl and darts in a workshop with Bob Berg. Bob will also be giving a demonstration on flax and cordage making. Visitors to the museum will have an opportunity to try using the atlatl in the museum’s backyard. For further information check out the museum’s website at: http://www.abbemuseum.org or call our toll free number: 1-800-836-4520.

http://www.abbemuseum.org/index.php

Due to the heavy flooding in the Equinunk, Pa. and Hancock, NY areas, the atlatl presentation has been cancelled. We hope to be able to reschedule in the future.
Bob Berg of Thunderbird Atlatl will be presenting a program on the atlatl along with a demonstration on Sunday, July 2, at 1 p.m. at the Calder House Museum in Equinunk, Pa.
The museum is located on the corner of Route 191 and Pine Mill Road in Equinunk, Pa. Check out our event calendar for contact information.
The Bureau of Land Management staff and the Outdoors Writer Association provided Thunderbird Atatl will a warm reception June 19, 2006.
Unfortunately the outdoor demonstrations for Shooting Day had to be cancelled because Lake Charles, La. managed to get a lot of the same rain that flooded Houston last week.
The Bureau of Land Management staff did a wonderful job setting up indoor display tables for all the exhibitors. Thanks to all who made the event a success.

Posted by Cheryll Berg

Thunderbird Atlatl will be attending “Shooting Day” at the Outdoor Writers Association of America Conference in Louisiana on Monday, June 19.

We will be demonstrating the atlatl and giving writers and other interested folks an opportunity a chance to try the atlatl.

The US Department of Interior is coordinating Shooting Day.

On June 22, Bob Berg is offering a fishing line workshop – showing how to make fishing line out of flax at the Home Textile Museum in Orwell, Pa. For further information contact the Home Textile Museum at www.hometextiletoolmuseum.org or (607) 648-4146.