We designated this event as a charity endeavor when we started hosting this event in April of 2002 with the help of a lot of great friends. We were pleasantly surprised to find out just how special the whole family of traditional archers were. The donations of animals, money, time, raffle items, hunts, and handcrafted items such as custom bows, knives, arrows, quivers, wallets, belt buckles, atlatl’s etc. were incredible and certainly welcomed. The greatest thing is that these generosities have continued every year to make this event what it is today.

Since that time in 2002, the Chamberlin Ranch Rendezvous charity event has evolved into much more than we ever expected. Consequently we have expanded our intentions and even our own expectations as to what the possibilities might hold for the future.

Our intention from the start was to work hard to give traditional archers a weekend of friendly competition, fun, camaraderie, campfire conversation, and the luxury of sleeping under the stars, because as you know these events are few and far between. It is these types of events that help keep the old traditions alive, with those who attend able to see the artisans who show their wares and their craft as they demonstrate their skills. Bowyers, arrow makers, falconers, flintknappers, knife makers, leather crafters, trappers, jewelry artists, atlatl crafters, carvers, and more, attend to make the rendezvous atmosphere something that we are most grateful for. Our venders list is long and grows each year as well. This event is usually held on the first full weekend of April rain or shine.

Traditional Bowhunters of California is not an archery club per say with a range, officers or a board of directors at this time, although we are insured and sanctioned by IBO for our events. We are not going to have a membership fee in order for one to belong. We are a newly formed organization that has many goals, only one of which generates monies for charity. We are in the process of looking into and obtaining non profit status.

Our initial goal financially to give profits above and beyond shoot expenses to a deserving charity will remain our mission now and in the future as long as we host this event. In April 2004 after our event, we were finally in the black after paying off the new animals, animal trailer, shirts, food and all miscellaneous things related to doing an event like this for the past 3 years. So in April 2005, combined profits from the past 2 years are earmarked for the “Hunt of a Lifetime” foundation charity (www.huntofalifetime.org). This organization sends young hunters with various health issues or life threatening illnesses on the hunting or fishing trip of their dreams. This is possible through donations of all kinds from services, air fare, hunts, frequent flier miles, clothing, gear, etc. The list of sponsors is long and we felt it was a good charity to start with. We hope to be able to donate to other great charities for kids as well.

The Traditional Bowhunters of California (TBC) website was started to focus on many areas related to traditional archery with an emphasis on preserving, promoting, and “Passing on the Tradition” of the old crafts and of hunting with traditional equipment. Related issues of values, ethics, safety through education and knowledge through mentoring will also be an important area of interest. Mentors we need you, your knowledge and your expertise. We really need you to volunteer for our list of “Mentors Mentioned” on the TBC website. We all know how important passing on these crafts are to preserving the old traditions. It might simply mean that you provide an email address or contact number so that one might simply inquire about the craft you are already passionate about. Passion is contagious and intoxicating and we hope that you will use your passion to ignite the excitement in someone else. There is something you can share no matter how small. You may be an experienced hunter and can help someone get started with traditional equipment. If you know how to do it, someone may benefit from your knowledge. This is an important way you personally can help to secure these traditions for the future.

The TBC website hopes to provide a place for members and visitors to find a Calendar of Traditional Events in California or elsewhere when we’re provided the information, and place for you to advertise your event, or when you will be demonstrating your crafts. We would like to have a Mentors Mentioned page with their contact info, a Hunters Harvest page for your pictures and related stories, a History and Folk Lore page, and in relation to the mentoring philosophy we will try and provide an Arts and Craftsmanship page for tips and technical questions from building bows to shooting or equipment questions. These are some of the things we will attempt to provide as we develop the site. We will welcome anything you have to offer whether it is any article of interest, such as an historical article, your hunting pictures, or any technical tips you may have. In the future we may consider a forum or discussion board if all goes well. The website will be a work in progress with changes, additions, and deletions as we see what the interests are. We would like you to get involved with your input and suggestions and hopefully an offer of website help. Someone who loves the history and the old traditions could help to maintain the History page for example. Even sharing that responsibility with someone who has the same interests would be of value to us. We could use help with any category. We know we can count on you to be a part of this effort in some way because we’ve seen so many of you be a part our efforts in the past!