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  • Glock22

    Sharpshooter
    Site Supporter
    Mar 22, 2009
    337
    59
    Bedford
    I might actually go and look for an old Thompson Center Renegade. Me and the Wife went to the Elnora antique tractor show today.
     

    Vanderbilt

    Plinker
    Jul 11, 2022
    107
    43
    Nineveh
    ...buddy of mine lives down in that neck of the woods. He'd commented on coming up for the 1500. Decided I'd drive down and we'd run through Friendship instead. Good place to go but have to admit, been going down there off and on for 30 or so years. It's not the same as it was then.
     

    cg21

    Master
    May 5, 2012
    4,545
    113
    ...buddy of mine lives down in that neck of the woods. He'd commented on coming up for the 1500. Decided I'd drive down and we'd run through Friendship instead. Good place to go but have to admit, been going down there off and on for 30 or so years. It's not the same as it was then.
    Curious what is different? The vendors? The upkeep? Crowd? New to all of this I have noticed most things I’m interested in are becoming extinct…. Everywhere I go the volunteers/participants are getting older crowds getting smaller infrastructure run down. I do my best to look past all that hoping my support financially and physically will help revive things.

    seems if it isn’t Disney world, wisconsin dells, or on an electronic device people don’t DO things anymore. All the little tourist trap towns are dying, all interest in history is dwindling.
     

    Vanderbilt

    Plinker
    Jul 11, 2022
    107
    43
    Nineveh
    Curious what is different? The vendors? The upkeep? Crowd? New to all of this I have noticed most things I’m interested in are becoming extinct…. Everywhere I go the volunteers/participants are getting older crowds getting smaller infrastructure run down. I do my best to look past all that hoping my support financially and physically will help revive things.

    seems if it isn’t Disney world, wisconsin dells, or on an electronic device people don’t DO things anymore. All the little tourist trap towns are dying, all interest in history is dwindling.
    ....yeah, say you're on point with this. The crowds down there seem big as ever. First I'll address the NMLRA side. The "sheep sheds" and shooting lines were decent in my view. Plenty of people looking and I suspect buying. Now, the types and variety of vendors, well, compared to when I was much younger. I'd have to say they have evolved to morph with the times. I got into BP in my late 30's, staring at 70 now. Back then, you had to make a lot of your own gear or become friends with people who did.

    That leads to the primitive area. Not many participants in primitive camping. My buddy remarked, "there were a lot of expensive RV's" in the adjacent lot. So, draw ones own conclusion to that. I just recall a time when there were many people making crafts, clothing, many smiths openly working. Saw next to none of that, in fact there was a fraction of the area in use.

    The flea markets both the one in town and the one across the creek from the range. Both still have a variety of characters. If you're looking for antiques or something unusual. There are still things to be found. More so at the town end. The other one is full of what you would find at your typical flea market. I will keep my feelings about that to myself.
     
    Last edited:

    cg21

    Master
    May 5, 2012
    4,545
    113
    ....yeah, say you're on point with this. The crowds down there seem big as ever. First I'll address the NMLRA side. The "sheep sheds" and shooting lines were decent in my view. Plenty of people looking and I suspect buying. Now, the types and variety of vendors, well, compared to when was much younger. I'd have to say they have evolved to morph with the times. I got into BP in my late 30's, staring at 70 now. Back then, you had to make a lot of your own gear or become friends with people who did.

    That leads to the primitive area. Not many participants in primitive camping. My buddy remarked, "there were a lot of expensive RV's" in the adjacent lot. So, draw ones own conclusion to that. I just recall a time when there were many people making crafts, clothing, many smiths openly working. Saw next to none of that, in fact there was a fraction of the area in use.

    The flea markets both the one in town and the across the creek from the range. Both still have a variety of characters. If you're looking for antiques or something unusual. There are still things to be found. More so at the town end. The other one is full of what you would find at your typical flea market. I will keep my feelings about that to myself.
    I was happy with what I did find in the primitive area but I was a little let down by it also. The people over there were great and friendly but I did expect what you mentioned people openly crafting etc. oh well hopefully my membership and continued support will help make a difference. Preserving history and tradition is important to me.
     

    G192127

    Sharpshooter
    Feb 19, 2018
    440
    63
    Shelbyville
    I went Saturday and a quick trip there this morning to loan a pistol.
    Had a great time. Lots of cars, maybe not so many shooters. I watched some guys shooting bench modern inlines- pretty cool- I may try that. Picked up a Dixie Gun Works catalog- at 5$ its the deal! Bought 20$ worth of flint shards- knap my own. Got into an expensive conversation with Rice Barrel Co....
    " I wish you made a 30" .32 cal. Swamped bbl".
    "I can make that". Hey, what's $290 among friends? Oh, then over to Pecatonica for a 4+ stock...hey you only go around once.
    Number of vendors was less than 1/2 full. But you could find anything you needed.
    As for primitive camping I think a/c teepee are easier on old bones...
     

    chubbs

    Master
    Jun 2, 2009
    1,526
    99
    North of hell, south of heaven
    Friendship was dead today it seemed. We walked around the vendor area and checked out things before we come to shoot this next week. Less vendors than normal and no crowd at all. Found a few odds and ends and headed back home. Will be back for the woods walk and running boar this coming week
     

    Lee11b

    Master
    Apr 22, 2014
    2,591
    113
    North Webster
    Curious what is different? The vendors? The upkeep? Crowd? New to all of this I have noticed most things I’m interested in are becoming extinct…. Everywhere I go the volunteers/participants are getting older crowds getting smaller infrastructure run down. I do my best to look past all that hoping my support financially and physically will help revive things.

    seems if it isn’t Disney world, wisconsin dells, or on an electronic device people don’t DO things anymore. All the little tourist trap towns are dying, all interest in history is dwindling.
    WOW!!!! so well stated, cg21!!! sad but true. :+1:
     

    G192127

    Sharpshooter
    Feb 19, 2018
    440
    63
    Shelbyville
    Sat afternoon...just go back from f-hip. Only a few booths open- but if you need something they probably have it. Watched some bench and then some pistol. Just a few were shootin because most all have finished up. Looks like everything ran smoothly and everybody I talked with had a good time.
    I just don't have the health to compete at pistol anymore, but I do still want to go there and shoot. Think I'll try bench of some sort. Definitely NOY CHUNK GUN lol.
    .
     
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