You know you’ve had a successful event when multiple states area vying to host Rendezvous next year and members are already emailing to find out where it will be! Put simply, Rendezvous 2013 was a smashing success. Members had the opportunity to learn how to be more effective advocates for wild public land, water and quality wildlife habitat; were exposed to the joys of llama packing; found out how to mount that monster mule deer and got to try out traditional archery as a sample of just part of the packed schedule.
Listening to last year’s comments we provided time on Friday night just for folks to visit, share new hunting and fishing stories and get their first peek at live and silent auction items. Saturday was full-tilt with seminars, air gun shooting, traditional archery, book author talks at lunch; kid’s casting and visiting the great booths our vendors provided. Energy throughout the weekend was high and that amazing feeling of being together with good friends for a good cause roared right into our evening banquet, speaker Jason Hairston, and live auction. Thanks to the dedication of so many people from all the chapters, live and silent auction items were top notch. Our professional auctioneer, Chris Brown, and his crew, worked the crowd and helped our members open their hearts and wallets.
Between the two auctions and the Paddles Up challenge where members donate money without getting an item in exchange we brought in over $24,000. This money, minus our expenses, will support our OHV reward program, will help keep public land and water wild for the generations that come after us and will give a voice to traditional hunters and anglers in public land and water conversations.
Sunday morning reports from states helped chapters learn from each other and share what issues they are working on and what generates excitement and commitment among members. What was clear is our chapters are busy and making a difference and for that we thank each and every one of you!
Stay tuned for the announcement of where Rendezvous 2014 will be!
About Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
The Voice For Our Wild Public Lands, Waters & Wildlife.