So, I am hosting this atlatl tournament this weekend at Hueston Woods.
  If all goes well, I am hoping to expand the offerings to blowguns.
Do you think you guys would be interested in exhibiting blowgun usage
to the throngs of campers that infest Hueston Woods every 4th of July
weekend?  We are talking over a thousand people in the park.  Even a
small percentage would be a lot of people to expose to blowguns.

--
Chad Wilson

Check out the video at:

http://www.schlag-den-raab.de/videos/videoplayer/47651/

I had an idea today.  Place a small ring one the end.  It would be big
enough to allow the dart rod to exit, but small enough to be caught by
the cone.  The fishing line would be attached to this ring.

--- In blowgun@yahoogroups.com, "Chad Wilson" <chadrwilson@...> wrote:
>
> The line in the tube won't bind up as the dart exits?
>
> -w
>


I hate getting jinks with Murphys Law.. Just got back from early
morning fishing, and wouldn't you know it, the darn line binded up on
me! Not once or twice, naw.. Almost every damn time I tried.  It was so
frustrating seeing a fuzz ball with the dart.  Old line or just one of
those days.  Well, can't say it never happens.  Has anyone ever tried
that braided fishing instead of mono?

--- In blowgun@yahoogroups.com, "Chad Wilson" <chadrwilson@...> wrote:
>
> The line in the tube won't bind up as the dart exits?
>
> -w
>


I haven't had that problem.. hopefully never will.  Just cut lines from
using the x'acto bladed tips.  Now for fishing, I use a large fishing
hook.. say a 5/0 to something you'd use to catch shark.  At least
something to match the width of the skewer, with a nice barb on it
(Some of my friends fashions their tips using wire hangers).  I cut the
hook where it begins to bend, superglue it to the tip (yes the tip, not
the side) of the skewer, then use something like superglued paper or
shrink tubing to cover the joint.

The line in the tube won't bind up as the dart exits?

-w

--- In blowgun@yahoogroups.com, "Chad Wilson" <chadrwilson@...> wrote:
>
> I have not yet tried hunting with my blowgun.  I have about 20 6" long
> darts with a small broadhead point on them supposedly meant for that
> purpose, though.  Maybe once warm weather returns.
>
> Anyone tried blowgun fishing?  If so, how did you handle the fishing
line?
>
> -w
>


Tie the line on the back , near the cone of the dart and load from the
front.  Make sure your line has enough slack for the distance you want
to cover.  Using a small spincasting reel also works for holding line.

I have not yet tried hunting with my blowgun.  I have about 20 6" long
darts with a small broadhead point on them supposedly meant for that
purpose, though.  Maybe once warm weather returns.

Anyone tried blowgun fishing?  If so, how did you handle the fishing line?

-w

--- In blowgun@yahoogroups.com, "ribron32" <ribron32@...> wrote:
>
> I was wondering if anyone had any luck making their own home made
> hunting darts for a .40 cal blowgun. I am considering it for small
> game, but have yet to find any helpfull info on the web. Any input
> would be trully apriciated.. Thank you _Duane
>


Yeah, I have using bamboo toothpicks, or skewers and the snap-off type
x-acto blades.  You could even use the tip of #11 x-acto blades, but
kinda dangerous to cut or break off.  Believe me, I know!  They do
pretty good for dispatching small to medium-sized game.  Whoa.. just
noticed the time you posted this... hopefully you found info you were
looking for.

Here's what you've been waiting for, in a simple, illustrated "How-To"
format. Eight easy-to-follow steps, including loading darts,
holding the barrel, finding the proper stance, aiming and shooting.
Sections on safety, storage, maintenance, accessories, and
terminology complete the work.  Easy to read 8.5 in. x 11 in. format
finished in a saddle binding, 34 pages, with 30 photographs and
illustrations to guide you.   "Blowgunning for Beginners" is available
online at:

http://www.cafepress.com/cp/prod.aspx?p=Meijin2.192351214

I'll be uploading "Blowgunning for Beginners" in a day or so (I'll post
the link once it's online) - It's the "Cliff Notes" version
of "Fukiyado: The Way of the Sport Blowgun" - just the basics (How to
load a dart, hold the barrel, stand, breath, aim and shoot) briefly
touches on safety, accessories, care and maintenance, has a basic
Glossary of blowgun terms.

I've been promising to let everyone know when I finally got my first
book published, so here it is: 258 pages in 4.18" x 6.88" paperback
format. Color covers, B&W photos inside. Went with the least expensive
print method -

http://www.cafepress.com/cp/prod.aspx?p=meijin.186902864

I'll be putting up a "cheap" (their binding fees are outrageous!) down
and dirty version - "Blowgunning for Beginners" (I think "For Dummies"
is registered) which should be a lot less expensive, and will focus
solely on the basics. Should be online in a few days - designing the
cover will be take more time than the book.

After that is online, I'll be focusing on completing the next
book "Fukidake-jutsu: the Martial Art of Blowgun Fighting"

I have gotten the "green light" to demonstrate competition sport
blowgun target shooting at the 2008 event.  It will be held July 10 - 13.

I have asked the chairman of the American Sport Blowgun Association to
coordinate the demo (his reply is pending).

I am seeking a firm commitment from at least a dozen or more
blowgunners to lend their time to help promote the sport in the USA.
You do not have to be from the USA ... any IFA sanctioned blowgunners,
or members of this forum are welcome to join us (aged 18 and older).
Plan your vacation around us - we're just over an hour drive from New
York City, the New Jersey Shore, and Philadelphia - about a half hour
from the Pocono mountains.  Just plan to give us one day of your time.

I will need firm commitments by November 20, 2007 for this to happen.
Lehigh Valley Sports Fest 2007 had over 150,000 attendees.  This is
the opportunity we've been waiting for to heighten the awareness of
the sport to the general public.

I anxiously await your replies.

I was wondering if anyone had any luck making their own home made
hunting darts for a .40 cal blowgun. I am considering it for small
game, but have yet to find any helpfull info on the web. Any input
would be trully apriciated.. Thank you _Duane

There's still time to sign-up for the 4th Annual Sport Blowgun Target
Shooting competition (Saturday June 9th, 2007).  We will again be
using  the facilities at the Northampton County Park, Bear Swamp
Archery Complex in Upper Mt. Bethel, PA.  This is an American Sport
Blowgun Association (ASBA) sanctioned Point and Match competition
sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Fukiyado Association.

The 10-Meter World Record score has been raised at the Bear Swamp
Archery Complex twice in the past three years, from 192 to 194 by
Morikuni Matsumoto of the Japan Sport Fukiya Association in 2004, and
from 194 to 198 by "Old Wayne" Wilson from Lynchburg, VA in 2005!
Will "lightning strike" a third time and the 10-meter World Record
score be raised again?  (The score has been tied twice now, in France
and Japan.)
Will Master "Old Wayne" Wilson (8 dan) return to achieve his goal of
a perfect 210 point score?
Join us and watch history in the making!
All blowgunners are welcome to participate in the Match shoots.  ASBA
members or members of an IFA national affiliate can participate in
the Point competition, which starts promptly at Noon (Registration
and Check-in on the day of the event runs from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM
local time).
For non-ASBA members, a "Point competition" is their rank test, where
they shoot to officially register their scores towards achieving rank
advancement.)  Open shooting starts immediately upon completion of
the Point shoot.  Observers are welcome.

We'll have standard competition shooting (see how well you can shoot
on a standard course), and if there is enough interest and
participants:
Long Distance Record attempt in the Olympic Archery field across the
street;
First Nations-style Field Competition in the half-mile loop, 16
target archery field range behind the main target range.
Pictures of the facilities can be viewed at:
http://groups.msn.com/BlowgunsNorthwestPlayersGroup/bearswamparcheryco
mplex.msnw

There's plenty of  free parking!  Also, if you have a Pennsylvania
resident or non-resident fishing license, you can try your skill at
blowgun fishing at scenic Minsi Lake, a short walk to the west of the
complex.  There's even a charcoal grill and covered picnic area at
the Olympic Archery range, if you want to make a day of it and grill
up some burgers or hotdogs while you're there (Bring charcoal and
food to grill, or there's a small general store a 2 minute walk from
the complex).

As always, the competition is fee free!

E-mail registration accepted up until June 1st, 2007 - see the ASBA
website for details.  If participating, please e-mail me direct.  Let
me know if you need directions, and where you'll be coming from.  For
hotel reservations, search on East Stroudsburg,  Allentown, or
Bethlehem, PA.

May your darts always fly true!

No spams here! Great!
See you around.
Ben

Yes ! It's on the pipe !

You know since one year and a half that France will hold the 1st Sport
Blowgun International Championship (say "s.b.i.c") in 2007. the
calendar is unchanged, it will still be from saturday 7th of July 2007
(Say 07-07-07) to monday 9th of July 2007.

Now we've got the place !

The bureau of FSBA decided, with members of one of our most acitve
blowgun clubs that it will be in Weyersheim, which is :
- 20Km north of Strasbourg, economic capital or Europe
- 140Km west of Stuttgart, capital of land Bade-Wurtemberg of Germany
- 250Km of Bern, big town of Switzerland
- 500Km east of Paris, capital of France
- 600Km south-east of Amsterdam, capital of Nederlands
... (the map is here http://www.fsba.fr/photo/sbicmap.jpg)

The place is very cool, a perfect big indoor place, with bar and all
accomodation...

For fure a lot of french shooters will be here, but we hope to receive
the near-countries shooters also, such as German shooters, Dutch
shooters, Swiss  shooters, Belgium shooters... and probably American
shooters, Japanese shooters, and maybe Philippine shooters !

The site http://blowgun.googlepages.com will be dedicated to this
event (it's the website of the last year 1st Sport Blowgun French
Open). You will find here :

- Sport Room informations (soon)
- Agenda Information (march)
- Registration information (free for foreigners) (march)
- Travel Information (trains, planes) (march)
- Hotel Information (march)

We hope to see you there ! personnaly I need to acquire experience
again to be able to make great nigiri-sushis and maki-sushis !

With the Bejing Summer Olympic Games only two years away, and the
first International Blowgun Games being held this summer in France, I
thought it was time to post an update on the progress we're making
about getting Competition Sport Blowgun Target Shooting recognized as
a sport by the various National Olympic Committees and the
International Olympic Committee.  The individuals that I have been in
communication with from the various National Olympic Committees
(NOC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have been very
helpful, and have provided a great deal of information to me towards
getting our sport recognized and sanctioned.

First the bad news.
1.  No National Olympic Committee recognizes our sport as
an "official" sport.  Why? Lack of participation!  Not even in Japan
is it recognized by the Japananese NOC ... although they are the ones
with the largest national participating membership, and meeting all
the other requirements for recognition. They will most likely be the
first IFA affiliated organization to be recognized by their NOC.

2.  Any new sport must be admitted to the Olympic program at least
seven years before the next Olympic Games.  For the original goal set
(2016), that means we have to be on the list by 2009!  Sadly, Talon-
xls may have called it - we may not be able to meet our original goal.

3.  In order for a sport to be played at the games, the sport's
International Organization must be recognized by the General
Association of International Sport Federations. The General
Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), founded in
1967, groups together the International Sports Federations and
various associations with the aim of defending world-wide sport,
becoming better informed and making themselves known, and cooperating
and coordinating their activities. Its aim is to create a forum which
brings together all the sports bodies once a year for an exchange of
views on subjects of common interest. Its mission is to maintain the
authority and autonomy of its members, promote closer links between
its members and all sports organisations, coordinate and protect
common interests and collect, verify and disseminate information.
Currently, the International Fukiyado Association (IFA) is not
recognized (see #1, above).  But, Air sports, Netball,
Bandy,            Orienteering, Billiards, Sports Pelote Basque,
Boules, Polo, Bowling,         Powerboating, Bridge, Racquetball,
Chess, Roller Sports, DanceSport, Rugby.
Golf, Squash, Karate, Surfing, Korfball, Sumo Wrestling, Life Saving,
Tug of War,
Motorcycle Racing, Underwater Sports, Mountaineering and  Climbing,
Water Skiing, and Wushu ( a martial Arts sport) are - and are ahead
of us on the waiting list, with the smallest following having more
than double the number of participating nations that we have.

Now, the good news:
1. We have over a dozen national organizations, representing nations
on four continents. Some of these actually have held national level
competitions.  However, we need to get a lot more official
participants on the national level (come on, USA - 50 registered
blowgunners?  That will never do!)
2. National competitions have been held in Japan, France, the USA,
and Germany.
3. The first International Blowgun Games will be held in France this
year.

What needs to happen next?

In a word - PARTICIPATION!

If you are reading this post ... participate!
Join your national organization if you already haven't.
Form a local club, if you already haven't.
Have a membership drive (Hey!  This IS a sport ... we're behind
boules (lawn bowling ...petanque, or bocce ball), Tug-of-War, chess,
Korfball, Netball, and Orienteering ... Curling actually IS an
Olympic Sport already (quick, hand me a broom!  LOL).
Be proud of the fact that you are a Blowgun Target Shooter, and good
at it!
Wear your local club or national organization logo.
Hold a local competition and advertise it in the media (newspapers,
radio, TV), and publish the results!

Want more information?  Here's some that might help you -
FAQ's and more -

General Olympic Information
Q: Who is eligible to compete in the Olympic Games?
A: Each athlete must be a citizen of the country of the National
Olympic Committee which he/she represents, and must also meet the
eligibility requirements of his/her respective sport's International
Federation, in accordance with the Olympic Charter. No competitor in
the Olympic Games may allow his/her person, picture or sports
performance to be used for advertising purposes during the Olympic
Games.

Q: Is there an age limit for Olympic athletes?
A: The only age limit for Olympic competitors are prescribed for
health and safety reasons in the competition rules of certain IFs,
including bobsled (minimum of 14 years old), boxing (17-32), diving
(minimum of 14), equestrian (16 or older), figure skating (15 by July
of previous year), gymnastics (must be 16 years old in Olympic year),
judo (15 or older), luge (16 or older), soccer (under 23), team
handball (over 18), weightlifting (17 or older) and wrestling (must
be at least 17 on day of Opening Ceremonies). There are no general
restrictions among the International Federations on an "upper" age
limit.

Q: How does a new sport, discipline or event get added to the Olympic
program?
A: First, the respective sport's IF must be recognized by the
International Olympic Committee as a federation operated and
organized under the principles and regulations of the IOC. Second,
for a new sport to be considered for the Olympic program, the IF must
present proof that the sport is widely practiced (i.e., national
championships, regional competitions such as the Pan Am Games, world
championships and other international competitions are held on a
regular basis). Starting in the year 2000, for those sports seeking
inclusion or currently on the summer Olympic program, sports for men
must be played in at least 75 countries on four continents before
being considered for inclusion on the Olympic program and, for women,
the sport must be contested in at least 40 countries and on three
continents. Any new sport must be admitted to the Olympic program at
least seven years before the next Olympic Games and, with a few rare
exceptions, no changes are permitted after that time. The standards
for admission of disciplines or events to the Olympic program are
very similar to those for a sport.

Q: What are the Paralympic Games?
A: The Paralympic Games (not to be confused with the Special
Olympics), both summer and winter, are held for elite athletes with
physical or visual impairments, representing the four international
federations of the blind, paraplegics and quadriplegics, people with
cerebral palsy, amputees and others (including dwarfs). The first
Paralympic Games were held in Rome, Italy, in 1960, and have been
held in the same city or country hosting the Olympic Games and
Olympic Winter Games since then.

France has a website dedicated to Paralympic Blowgun Games!  This is
not part of the games in the USA.

Q: Where can I find information on Olympic drug and substance abuse
policies?
A: The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is the organization
responsible for setting and enforcing Olympic drug policies. To find
out more about USADA and its policies, visit their official website.

Q: What is the Olympic motto and what does it mean?
A: The Olympic motto -- "Citius, Altius, Fortius" -- is Latin and
means "Faster, Higher, Braver" in Latin, but the universally accepted
meaning is "Swifter, Higher, Stronger." The motto is believed to have
been conceived by Father Henri Didon, headmaster of the Arceuil
School near Paris, to express the aspirations of all the athletes in
the Olympic Movement.

Q: What is the Olympic creed?
A: "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but
to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the
triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have
conquered but to have fought well." These words, referred to as the
Olympic creed, are commonly attributed to Baron Pierre de Coubertin,
the founder of the modern Olympic Games, although there is some
question as to whether or not he was the actual author. De Coubertin
is believed to have first delivered the Olympic creed following the
Congress of Paris in 1894.

Q: What is the Olympic oath?
A: The Olympic oath is a symbolic gesture of sportsmanship that
traces its origins to the 1920 Olympic Games. One athlete from the
host country takes an oath at Opening Ceremonies on behalf of all the
athletes. The oath is "In the name of all competitors, I promise that
we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by
the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without
doping and without drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for
the glory of sport and the honor of our teams." A similar oath is
also taken by a judge from the host country.

Q: What is the International Olympic Committee's role in the overall
Olympic Movement and where is it located?
A: The International Olympic Committee was created by the Congress of
Paris on June 23, 1894, and was entrusted with the control and
development of the Modern Olympic Games. The IOC is the final
authority on all questions concerning the Olympic Games and the
Olympic Movement worldwide. The Olympic Movement includes the IOC,
International Sports Federations (IFs), the National Olympic
Committees (NOCs), the Organizing Committees of the Olympic Games
(OCOGs), the national sports federations and other associations. The
IOC's headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland, and its web site is:
www.olympic.org.

Q: What is the role of a National Olympic Committee (NOC) and how
many are currently recognized by the IOC?
A: Each "nation" has but one NOC. Although most the NOCs that are
recognized are from nations, the IOC also recognizes independent
territories, commonwealths (such as Puerto Rico), mandated
territories, protectorates and geographical areas. As of February
2000, the IOC recognized 200 National Olympic Committees. Each NOC
has the responsibility for governing Olympic affairs within its
nation, including identifying, training, selecting, entering and
funding an Olympic Team from that nation to compete in the Olympic
Games.

Q: What is the role of an International Federation (IF) and how many
IFs are currently recognized by the IOC?
A: The International Federations (IFs) for Olympic sports and those
sports wishing to be considered for the Olympic program establish the
eligibility and competition rules, set the schedule of events (which
then must be approved by the IOC and the host organizing committee
for the Olympic Games), and select and identify the referees, judges
and other officials to "run" the sport. The IFs can also make
proposals to the IOC concerning the revision or development of the
events in its own sport, and recommend the addition or deletion of an
event on the Olympic program. The IF is responsible for resolving all
technical issues such as officiating disputes and recognizes only one
National Governing Body (NGB) per sport in each country. As of
February 2000, there are 35 International Federations for the
different medal sports on the programs of the Olympic Games or
Olympic Winter Games. There are another 22 "Recognized International
Federations" for those sports seeking inclusion on future Olympic
programs.

Q: What is a National Governing Body and how many are currently
recognized in the U.S.?
A: A National Governing Body is the sports organization that is
recognized by and affiliated with an International Federation. In the
U.S., there are currently 39 Olympic Sport Organizations or NGBs for
the sports on either of the Olympic Games, six Pan American Sport
Organizations for the sports on the Pan Am Games, and another six
Affiliated Sports Organizations such as karate, rugby, sports
acrobatics and underwater swimming, which are among the sports
seeking inclusion on future Olympic programs. The NGBs operate
independently of the USOC. Information about NGB calendar of events,
Olympic Trial and/or Selection Dates and answers to sport-specific
questions should be obtained through those organizations.

Q: Who determines the program of sports, disciplines and events for
the Olympic Games?
A: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) establishes the program
for both the winter and summer Olympic Games, which includes only
those sports recognized by the IOC as Olympic sports meeting the
criteria outlined in the IOC Charter. The program of the Games of the
Olympiad must include at least 15 Olympic sports, but there is no
minimum number of sports required for the Olympic Winter Games
program. After each Olympic Games, the IOC reviews the program and
may rule to admit or exclude sports, disciplines or events or may
change the standards from admitting or deleting sports, disciplines
or events from the future Olympic Games programs.

Q: What is the USOC?
A: The United States Olympic Committee, which has its administrative
headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., is comprised of 72 member
organizations. It is the coordinating body for Olympic-related
athletic activity in the United States. The vision of the USOC has
been to assist in finding opportunities for every American to
participate in sport, regardless of gender, race, age, geography or
physical ability.

Q: How can I make the U.S. Olympic Team?
A: Each sport's National Governing Body develops their own athletes
and sets the selection procedures and/or Olympic Trials dates, which
must then be approved by the USOC's Games Preparation Committee and
the USOC Board of Directors. Each athlete must meet the requirements
of his or her respective sport's International Federation and
National Organizing Committee. The NGB websites contain further
contact information.

Official Olympic Summer Sports:
archery
badminton
baseball
basketball
bowling
boxing
canoe/kayak
cycling
diving
equestrian
fencing
field hockey
gymnastics
judo
karate
modern pentathlon
racquetball
roller sports
rowing
sailing
shooting
soccer
softball
squash
swimming
synchronized swimming
table tennis
taekwondo
team handball
tennis
track & field
triathlon
volleyball
water polo
water skiing
weightlifting
wrestling

Official Olympic Winter Sports:
biathlon
bobsled
curling
figure skating
ice hockey
luge
short track
skeleton
skiing
snowboarding
speedskating

A discussion thread came up on the BGNW MSN forum about biodegradable
stun darts, and "clay pigeons" (targets).

PhiSBA's original website used animal crackers (the ones we ate as
kids) - but left the darts for pickup. I remembered Jock Elliot's
discussion about taking walks with a stealth blowgun (looks like a
hiking staff, or walking cane), but using marbles, or ball-bearings,
and I began to think about this a bit ...

Candy canes, with the crook lopped off and a gumdrop tailcone? Leaves
a sticky mess in the barrel!

Although, using pre-made candy might have it's advantages -
especially the hard-shell type - like gumballs
(http://www.candy4u.com/gumballs.html ranging in size from small to
medium to large - from $3.50 to $5.50/;b. - again, no idea what the
caliber is - but gumballs would leave a gum residue that takes
forever to biodegrade), or jawbreakers ("Wonka" brand "Gobstoppers"
are 1/2 in. diameter (no guarantee that they'll fit a .50 cal.
barrel) and sell for $2.50 + S&H for a 7 oz. box at:
http://search.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/nsearch?follow-
pro=1&vwcatalog=candydepot&catalog=candydepot&query=jawbreakers&.autod
one=http://www.store.yahoo.com/candydepot/nsearch.html&I1.x=15&I1.y=11
/
Want to have the coolest looking jawbreakers? All black, 30# for
$68.00 + S&H at: http://www.candywarehouse.com/blackballs.html and
let's not forget the Red Hot "Atomic Fireballs" (cinnamon flavor) -
38# of unwrapped .75 cal. for $76.00 + S&H.

Some of the jawbreakers are huge (1.5", 2.5", on up to 4"
diameter) ... awesome slingshot ammo, or as a "baseball" - these can
most likely be used for hunting with no problem about their stopping
power! ... and missed shots - no problem, it'll eventually dissolve
or be eaten! And, if they are a little too big to fit, just suck on
them a little while, and let them dry off to size them! LOL

Hmmmmm. Walking down the street with a "stealth" blowgun, and a
pocket full of jawbreakers. No way could that be construed as a
concealed weapon!

"My new book The Art of Throwing is now available.
Book Title: The Art of Throwing
Paper back: 6" by 9"
Cost: One book including shipping (in continental US) $23.00 - Signed
Number of pages: 114
Number of Photos: 128
Number of computer sketches: 41
Number of learning curves: 21
Number of throws made for statistical information presented in book:
1,300,000
Time span to throw 1,300,000 times: 14 years
Actual time for throws: 3,500 hours
Distance covered to and from target: 1,600 miles
Height of target cardboard used if stacked: 120 stories
Tuttle published it.
I have another book that is scheduled for publication this year
(2007) by Action Pursuit Group publishers of Inside Kungfu magazine.
The book is on the very popular Philippine balisong - aka butterfly
knife. The book has 499 photos."
=============
Anyone interested in buying one, send me an e-mail and I'll forward
you Dr. Marinas' e-mail addy.
-Craftsman

The Lehigh Valley Fukiyado Association (LVFA) competitions are
cancelled only for the following reasons:
a. Snowfall (active) expected to exceed 3 in.
b. Heavy, steady rainfall, or accompanied by lightning
c. Winds (steady) exceeding 15 MPH, or gusts exceeding 20 MPH
d. poor visibility (fog, sleet, snow, rain); less than 1/4 mile.
All other conditions - game on!

The "home turf" for the LVFA is Bear Swamp Archery Complex, located in
Upper Mt. Bethel, PA (a liitle bit south of the Delaware Water Gap).
There is a 25 yard, 4-person archery range (suitable for 8 blowgunners
side-by-side), behind that is an Archery Field course with 14 stations
and 16 targets (suitable for the Cherokee style Field Competition).
This is a one-half mile long loop course. One of the stations includes
a 10 ft. tall platform tree stand (can hold up to 6 adults comfortably
- but blowgunners shoot at the three targets there from the ground -
too far for the darts, can easily be lost).  Across the street from
this main part of the complex, and a liitle south is the Archery
Olympic Field, which includes an overhead shelter and 10 picnic
tables, and 2 charcoal grills.  This field is ideal for the Long
Distance blowgun competitions, and includes another platform stand
that can be used for supporting the Long Distance target for blowgunners.

The Bear Swamp Archery Complex is part of the Northampton County, PA
Parks system, is open to the public, and free to use.  Reservations
can be made in advance (none before 01/01/07 for the upcoming year).
Photos of the complex can be found online in this forum at:
http://groups.msn.com/BlowgunsNorthwestPlayersGroup/bearswamparcherycomplex.msnw
Bear Swamp has been the home of three international blowgun
competitions, and has seen the 10-meter World Record fall twice during
that time.

The LVFA will be sponsoring four ASBA point sanctioned competitions
for 2007.
All competitions require advance registration, and begin promptly at
12:00 Noon.
Send registration requests to craftsman@...

1.  New Year's Day Blow-out at Bear Swamp - fun shoot and 10-meter
point competition.  Dress for the weather! Monday, Jan. 1, 2007

2. Vernal Equinox Invitational.  Competition will be at my home, by
invitation only. Three ranges - 2 outdoor: uphill, downhill, and
"level" (semi- outdoor). Sat. March 17th, 2007.

3. 4th International Competition at Bear Swamp.  Saturday, June 16th,
2007.

4. Fall Open Classic at Bear Swamp.  Saturday, September 15th, 2007.

I will not be making formal advance reservations for Bear Swamp,
unless requested to do so by the ASBA, or pre-registration numbers
(exceeding 24 competitors)warrant.  At this time, there are no
registration fees.

In France, we have Dpe, Jeff and Marcobal already certified (all
requirements done)

--- In blowgun@yahoogroups.com, "meijin1951" <meijin1951@...> wrote:
...

I am pleased to announce that "kathunter" (Ed) has requested to
participate in the instructor certification program.  I know many of
you, who have been on this board and it's predecessor,  recognize
kathunter as one of the "founding fathers" of blowgunning in the
current era, and respect his skill and ability.

His support of the sport as shown by his participation in the
program, is greatly appreciated. I hope that others will follow his
example.  Ed certainly does not need any certificate to train others
in blowgunning, but has given us credibility by adding his name to
our ranks.  For this, I express my gratitude to him.

I strongly encourage all of you who participate in Sport Blowwgun
Taraget shooting, in the USA, Germany, or other participating
nations, to consider becoming certified.  As people discover the
sport, whether through our promotional efforts, or by chance while
web surfing, we want to encourage them to use the blowgun properly
and safely ... not to shoot at song birds, protected water fowl,
pets, or other human beings.

Mike Janich, in his Conclusion of his 1993 work, "Blowguns: The
Breath of Death states, "... I have never heard of any blowgun
related crimes being committed..."  Unfortunately, I have, on the
former NSBA website, documented multiple incidents of blowgun related
crimes ... drive-by blowgun shootings on human beings (thankfully, to
date, no fatalities) including a woman shot in the leg, a
motorcyclist shot in the chest (through his leather jacket, and stuck
into his sternum, and have even had a surgeon contact me for more
information about such occurances ... a young girl shot in her cheek
in Japan by a classmate (accidentally) ... many waterfowl and
songbirds in public parks were found living with a target dart stuck
in or through them ... what if the shooter missed, and the dart
struck you, or one of your loved ones???  The members of one blowgun
message board rose together a while ago, in response to one such
report on the BlowgunsNW MSN forum to aid law enforcement officials
in bringing this individual to justice (view the archives).

Newcomers to blowguns need to know that this type of activity is
wrong, and those of us who are serious blowgunners will do all in our
power to bring offenders to justice.  But, we do not want to
discourage newcomers from participating.  We need to teach them what
is right, what is acceptable, pass along our heritage ... and maybe
even make a buck or two while doing it!  LOL - sorry.  Seriously ...
maybe have the sport sanctioned, as is one of the goals of the
International Fukiyado Association, as an Olympic event ... and watch
one of your students bring home Olympic gold.

I would like to offer Sport Blowgun Instructor training for those
interested in the sport.

My qualifications:
I have successfully completed the requirements for, and am certified
by the International Fukiyado Association (Dr. Hironori Higuchi, IFA
founder and co-chairman was my Sensei) as a Sport Blowgun Instructor.
I am recognized by the IFA as a 6 dan ("Master") of the sport.
I hold an Ed.M. from Rutgers University (it says "Master Teacher").
I have taught in the US secondary schools system, and in the corporate
environment.
I have granted Instructor certifications in the USA to:  Michael
Janich;  Dr. Amante P. Marinas, Sr.; Joe Fife (Oklahoma); David Paiva
(Maine); Dr. Dan Wiley (Nebraska), and have 6 other students around
the USA in various stages of requirement completion.

The IFA only sanctions one certified instructor per national affiliate
(other than Japan).
It is the responsibility of that IFA certified instructor to set up a
training program for certified instructors in their home nation.
This was done originally through the NSBA website.

Requirements for interested individuals:
1. Must send me an e-mail (craftsman@...) expressing their
interest and desire to participate in this training.
     Must not be a legal resident of a state (Massachusetts, or
California) or locality where blowguns are banned.
2. Must be an active member of  a national organization affiliated
with the International Fukiyado Association (ASBA in the USA).
3. Must hold the IFA recognized equavalent of a 4 dan (consistently
shoot at or above a score of 162 points in a standard 10-meter
competition).
4. Must be an adult, aged 18 years old or more.
5. Must complete a test on sport blowguns, scoring a minimum of 90%.
      Topics on the test will include the history of blowguns, the
history of the sport, blowgun nomenclature, blowgun and dart
maintenance, blowgun
      safety, and finally the rules and regulations of the sport.
6.  In the tradition of the Martial Arts (honoring the roots of
Fukiyado), hand make a good, working, Fukiya-style, film cone dart and
send it to my Sensei for evaluation.  My certified instructors will be
able to train instructors, once one of their students have qualified
at the 5 dan level (IFA recognized, consistently shoot at or above a
score of 176 points) in 10-meter IFA sanctioned competitions (ASBA in
the USA). Those candidates for instructor will send thier final
requirement to me for evaluation, then their students will send their
darts to my students and so on.  A "grandfather" scenario.

NOTE:  Those who are residents of countries other than the USA ... You
must contact your national IFA affiliated organization to get that
country's certification.  For example, contact Tinus Els, in South
Africa;  Morikuni Matsumoto in Japan, etc.  If there is no National
organization in your country, and you want to start one, (or if you do
not know if there is a national organization in your country) contact
me via e-mail.

Blowguns are banned (therefore, no IFA national organization will be
sanctioned) in the UK, Canada, or Australia.

Questions:
1. What does this cost?
      Your time, effort, and devotion.  I will charge no fee for this.

2. What personal benefit will being a certified instructor have?
      You may, if you wish, charge your students for your services as
an instructor.
      Currently, many of the Martial Art training fees range between
$15 - $35 per session.  Training sessions may be between 1/2 to 1 hour
in duration.
      You may, if you wish, choose to have your students, in a training
situation,
      address you as "sensei" (means "teacher"), as the sport
originated in the tradition of the Martial Arts.
      You will know that you are instrumental in helping to safely
promote the sport, with the goal of having it sanctioned as an Olympic
event.
       In the USA, perception of validity is based in part, on
achievement.  Official certification, therefore, is highly desireable.

3.  What benefit is there to the sport to have certified instructors?
       In the USA (and some other countries), there is a greater
perceived validity to an organization that has a program in place like
this.
       The preservation of the history, safety, and competition rules
and regulations of the sport are passed down correctly.

4.  How long does it take to become a certified instructor?
      How soon can you complete the requirements?  There is no minimum
and no maximum time requirement.  I have several students who have not
yet
      completed their "4 dan" level.  I have other students who only
need to complete their Fukiya dart and mail it to Japan (less than
$1.00 postage).

5.  How is the knowledge test conducted?
      Since I cannot travel around the county (although I would if I
could), and I do not expect you to travel to me, everything is handled
electronically.
      This is conducted using the honor system.  It is as, or perhaps
more important to know where to find information, as it is to rotely
memorize information.
      The test materials will be sent as an e-mail attachement.  They
are to be completed and returned in a like fashion.  Since you can use
all and any sources
      to complete the test, it should be 100% correct (a 10% margin is
allowed for typos and interpretation differences).

6.  How is the final requirement conducted?
      After the other requirements have been compled, I will send you
all the information needed to make a film cone Fukiya Style dart.
      The Japanese traditionally use a 1 gram, 20-23 cm long .51
caliber dart.  You can make your dart to fit your caliber of choice.
      You must test the dart, ensuring it is capable of scoring a
bulls-eye on a standard IFA style target face (ASBA in the USA), from
the standard
     10-meter firing line, and it is reusable. This is a test of the
dart's integrity, and aeodynamics.
     Once you have perfected your dart making, you will send me an
e-mail to that effect.  At that time, I will provide you with an
address to ship the dart
     for personal evaluation.  Once I receive notification that the
dart has been received, the requirement is completed.

Once all requirements are satisfied successfully, you will receive,
electronically, a certificate stating that you have "satisfactorily
completed the requirements for certification as an Instructor in the
sport of Competition Target Blowgun Shooting (Fukiyado), as prescribed
by the International Fukiyado Association.  Therefore, are entitled to
all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto, and may be
addressed with the title:  'Sensei' (which means: 'Teacher')."  It
will be electronically signed and dated. This certificate may be
printed on standard landscape paper (looks best on onionskin or
parchment), and framed.  It will be in color.

The American Sport Blowgun Association (originally founded by George
Fisher) will resurface, re-birthed by Bruce Bell.  The National Sport
Blowgun Association is being dissolved.  Members of the NSBA will be
contacted by the ASBA to transfer their affilation to the new ASBA.
Business as usual.

Bruce Bell will be running the ASBA.

Dave Sustak will devote his time to improving his target shooting,
complete his three books on blowgunning, and will still be active in
his capacity as the laison between the International Fukiyado
Association and the International Olympic Committee.  The goal being
to have a minimum of 75 affiliated national sport blowgun
organizations, having national and international competitions by 2012,
to be considered for the 2016 Sumer Olympic games, at least in
exhibition.

Please join us at Bear Swamp Archery Complex in Upper Mt. Bethel Twp.,
PA at 4:00 PM on Saturday, July 29, 2006.

The newly formed NorthEastPennsylvania Sport Blowgun Association will
be holding a Sport Blowgun Training Session, followed by a fun shoot,
and 10 meter point competition, to try to have the new members attempt
to qualify for their Iron rank.

Come out to watch, come out to participate.

Mark your calendars!  Reserve Saturday, June 9, 2007.  Bear Swamp-4
will begin at Noon (registration starts at 11:00 AM.)

"The craftsman challenge":
This will be my personal challenge to all and any blowgunners who can
attend:
Best oveall performance in:
a.)  10-meter target
b.)  Long Distance Target
c.)  Field Style (1/2 mile loop, 16 targets)
d.)  Blowgun Fishing Target (submerged target -I'll post pics later)

The event will not be the official Metro Sport Blowgun Association
International competition - Bruce will be trying to get a venue for
that, closer to the Newark, NJ International airport on an alternate
(to be announced) date.

Here is a link to a photo that I think you may enjoy!
Check it out:

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?
Avis=PR&Dato=20060607&Kategori=PHOTOS05&Lopenr=410001&Ref=PH

"No Blue!" - here's mine.

http://groups.msn.com/BlowgunsNorthwestPlayersGroup/holidaygreetings.ms
nw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=475

Here is the agenda for the Blowgun French Open
(http://blowgun.googlepages.com)

Saturday July 8th 2006
* 09h00-12h00 : B-Class Shootings (8m)
* 12h00-15h00 : A-Class Championship (10m) 1st Part
* 15h30-19h30 : 4x3 Player Team Tournament 1st Rounds
* 20h00 : Barbecue Garden Evening

Sunday July 9th 2006
* 09h00-12h00 : 4x3 Player Team Tournament Finals
* 12h00-15h00 : A-Class Championship (10m) 2nd Part
* 15h00 : Ranking Results Announces & Trophies
* 15h30 : FSBA Cocktail
* 19h00 : Special Event Dinner (Football Mundial Final) ?

Parallel Events
* Long Distance (beating Bruce Bell ?)
* Object Shooting (demos by Hironori)
* Wheel Game (demos by StJo)
* Level Certifications...

Ragards
StJo
http://fsba.fr