This is topic Huntmasters "Inner Circle" in forum Member forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.
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Posted by TundraWookie (Member # 1044) on March 04, 2011, 05:59 PM:
Who on this forum is in the "inner circle" of buddies with Leonard? I'm just curious. There's obviously some history with a bunch of you guys, and I just wanted to know the history of it, if it's allowed to be written about anyways on here. Gracias amigos. ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 04, 2011, 06:25 PM:
Every single member, (edit: not to suggest that I have actually met every member, although I would like to)...... I have met since they registered. Didn't know any of them previously, except through the Internet.
None of my local partners are members. Actually hunted exclusively with my son and grandson since early 90's. Before that I hunted exclusively with Pat McGee. So, a very short list.
The rest are people that have been to various Huntmaster's campouts. I don't know that there is an "inner circle" since my former BFF( Higgins) is no longer somebody I count among my friends.
But, I get along very well with the Arizona Posse and like hunting over there.
Maybe somebody else knows more about it than I do? Who's Leonard's inner circle?
Good hunting. LB
[ March 04, 2011, 06:27 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by TundraWookie (Member # 1044) on March 04, 2011, 06:34 PM:
Thanks Leonard, that is helping me piece together the group a bit more. It just seems as though in the forum banter, some people appear to be good buddies, as though they've been friends in the "real" world for years (as opposed to the "internet" world). ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 04, 2011, 06:52 PM:
That's true, but it's because of personal contact after the computer shit. Mostly via the HM campout. I have been active on hunting forums for about twelve years so there is quite a history with some of these folks. Like Vic Carlson, we go back beyond HM and beyond PM and beyond Posse country and beyond The ShadeTree. We actually met on a board nobody ever heard of, Sporting Adventures, and it wasn't pretty. We met in person at the ShadeTree BBQ in 1998 at Bruce Kennedy's house. Along with about fifty or so other peeps.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by TundraWookie (Member # 1044) on March 04, 2011, 06:58 PM:
I've heard mention about the Shade Tree before. Who was it that started that forum and what years was that site active? I'm guessing somewhere along the way, Al Gore had something to do with it all.
Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on March 04, 2011, 07:04 PM:
And here I had thought Leonard and Vic Carlson went back as far as the sixties.
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on March 04, 2011, 07:51 PM:
Geesh, that Sporting Adventures board seems like a lifetime ago. At the time, it was state of the art. If I recall, it had a steaming coffee cup and spoon for an icon, whatever the hell that meant. Must have been about three dozen ppl on the entire WWW at that time. LOL
Posted by RagnCajn (Member # 879) on March 04, 2011, 09:26 PM:
I probably better wait till the whiskey buzz subsides before I answer this one.
If I am even "inner Circle"
Posted by bucksnort (Member # 202) on March 05, 2011, 04:21 AM:
My late husband, Bruce Kennedy, started the Shade Tree. At the time, his board was the latest and greatest in the way it was set up -- like this board. Like Leonard, he met most of the guys on the board and at the camp outs. He was also the one who came up with the Arizona Posse. It's original members were Bruce, Vic, Jay Neistetter and John Henry. We had the BBQ here at the house for people to meet. Leonard and Nancy were here as was Danny B. Gerald Stewart was also in attendance. I was so busy getting food prepared I really didn't enjoy myself but, I understand everyone had a great time. Nancy was a huge help to me -- didn't ask what she could do, just started helping.
Posted by smithers (Member # 646) on March 05, 2011, 07:23 AM:
Apparently, to be a part of the Circle of Trust, you just have to endlessly bash TA17.
Posted by TundraWookie (Member # 1044) on March 05, 2011, 10:15 AM:
Wow, thanks for sharing the Shade Tree information and a bit of the history about your late husband, I appreciate it. I'm learning all kinds of new things here.
So what's the secret handshake and codeword to get the fancy T-shirt and hat?
smithers,
I think most on here are in the Circle of Trust with TA bashing. That's almost like the "Outer Circle" of friends, since it's basically open to everyone.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 05, 2011, 10:17 AM:
Totally inaccurate, smithers. I have no idea how you arrived at that conclusion?
Yes, the ShadeTree BBQ was fun. Hard to believe how things can change, since then. Nanc is gone, Bruce is gone, Danny is gone. I got some static at work because at the last minute they wanted me to work and I said; "See ya".
Lance, for the life of me, I can't think of the Board with the steaming cup of coffee but it wasn't Sporting Adventures. Seems to me they had a red shotgun shell as a logo?
Good hunting. LB
Posted by smithers (Member # 646) on March 05, 2011, 10:38 AM:
It was sarcasm, Leonard.
Posted by Okanagan (Member # 870) on March 05, 2011, 11:19 AM:
Yeah, I remember the coffee cup thing and posted there a few times. Still remember a topic or two there that interested me. Seems like there was a gal who posted there quite a bit, or maybe ran the place.
I'm kind of oblivious to circles, unless they become obvious enough to be noticeable, and then they make me wary. There are some good, knowledgeable men here, and women. That's enough.
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on March 05, 2011, 11:21 AM:
"So what's the secret handshake and codeword to get the fancy T-shirt and hat?"
----------------------
Tundra,
I am thinking that Leonard would supply all of us with a T shirt and hat if we simply ask him. He is always gracious ya know. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on March 05, 2011, 11:24 AM:
"Apparently, to be a part of the Circle of Trust, you just have to endlessly bash TA17"
-----------------------------------------
Nope, all he had to do was ASK for it.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 05, 2011, 12:30 PM:
Yes, okanagan is right, I believe? I think a female moderated that board? Maybe it was called The Coffee Shop? Not a whole lot of predator dialogue, more guns and ammo stuff, as I recall? But, I think it went belly up or someone just pulled the plug? But John Henry was over there, and Vic, and me, once in a while. But, in those days, yours truly and the future "Coyote Gods" did not get along, at all.
The CSVCA had a message board that I moderated for a while. It got good traffic.
Good hunting. LB
edit: okay, I almost said come to the next campout and get a teeshirt, but nah, we don't do promotions and tempting gear and never will. That's wannabee shit.
[ March 05, 2011, 12:33 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on March 05, 2011, 12:43 PM:
I'm wanting to say your right Leonard. I think it was called the Coffee Shop. Or something like that.
I go way back with this internet stuff, to before there even was a "web" or "browsers". Usenet user groups, you know, rec.hunting.guns and stuff like that.
But I think the first place I ran into Leonard, Vic and John-Henry was on the old Go Go Varmint Go board. Would have probably been about '97 or so? GGVG is still running, still owned by the same two guys. I don't go there much anymore, but do still check in there occasionally.
- DAA
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 05, 2011, 12:59 PM:
That's absolutely correct, Dave! How I forgot GoGoVarmint Go, I will never know. It's was and probably still is a very good board.
I quit going over there during the phase when they were chipping in and buying deserving people rifles and such. I don't agree with that kind of charity, yet also don't like to be perceived as a cheapskate, either.
The people that I knew on that board were first rate; including DAA. I was always jealous of Dave's rifles!
Good hunting. LB
edit: not jealous, just envious.
[ March 05, 2011, 12:59 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by TundraWookie (Member # 1044) on March 05, 2011, 01:27 PM:
This "inner circle" thread here is really digging back into some history. I really like hearing about it too, thanks. I'm a young guy in the world of predator hunting, so like to hear it from the guys (and gals) who've been around for awhile.
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on March 05, 2011, 02:30 PM:
OK,
When the AZ Predator Posse board crashed and Bob Davis out of South Dakota got it up and running again, what was the board called? Posse Country?
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 05, 2011, 03:01 PM:
Well, it didn't crash, but happened directly following a trip to Texas with Bruce, Uncle Jay and JohnHenry. Bruce was so pissed off that he shut the board down and created a page ragging on Jay for a very long time. I think they got over it eventually, in fact, I'm sure they did.
And, yes. Bob Davis immediately began work on another board, as did Frank Heartlein. Frank's Board was called Huntmaster's and really did n't do too well, but Bob's board took off and attracted a very large majority of ShadeTree members. That board was called "POSSE COUNTRY" and was a tip of the hat to Bruce's Arizona Predator Posse, which also shut down.
When Will Craig created Predator Masters, he asked me to moderate the Predator hunting forum with Scott Huber, but I never agreed to it, he just drafted me anyway. I broke the news to Bob Davis and he got all pissed off. Due to a series of events, Bob transferred his entire membership list to Predator Master's and shut down his board, and that's how PM became the biggest deal in predator message boards. It was a while after that that I quit PM and took over HM.
So, brief history of predator hunting evolving on the Internet.
Good hunting. LB
PS I left out a few details. So what?
Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on March 05, 2011, 03:07 PM:
Side note, Bob still has a board, The Texas Predator Posse, it has a faithful following of Texas hunters and others.
Posted by bucksnort (Member # 202) on March 05, 2011, 03:15 PM:
I believe Bob Davis did have Posse Country. Bob and several other guys came to Tucson one weekend to hunt. They didn't stay with us but, Bruce did fix his infamous ribs for everyone.
I forgot to mention earlier that Bruce built the Coyote Gods board for JH. I was really glad when that supposed friendship ended. It wasn't pretty but at least JH was out of our lives forever.
Leonard, was it you or Tim Behle that I gave some Shade Tree BBQ hats? I found them not long after Bruce passed away.
Posted by smithers (Member # 646) on March 05, 2011, 03:37 PM:
You can still go back into the archives on PM and read posts by all these chaps It'd do ya some good to go browse.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 05, 2011, 03:40 PM:
It was me. I passed them around, I don't think I have an more, but it was only a few to start with. I know my grandson Robbie got one, maybe Aaron, too?
Vic, thanks for the information but you could supply a lot more, if you had a mind. You people may not believe it, but Vic is very shy. I'm serious. He's a good man though. Hey do you want to meet us up in northern Nevada? I know you have hung it up, but you might have a good time.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on March 05, 2011, 04:19 PM:
Im sitting here now, with a pending tornado watch until 10pm, a nice welcome for a desert rat into the gulf coast:)
Hey, found my first snake here the other day, a cottonmouth, better known as a water moccasion, ugly sonofabitch for sure, just looked mean nasty.
The upside is, it's a paradise for the airgunner, Ive popped half a dozen squirells with my sons pellet rifle, more plentiful than jackrabbits back home!
Posted by bucksnort (Member # 202) on March 05, 2011, 05:40 PM:
I thought it was you but, wasn't sure. I did give Tim a box of videos and calls I found that were left over from Back Outdoor Supplies. I think I found some more if you or someone would like them. I'm certainly not going to use them.
Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on March 05, 2011, 05:53 PM:
Chris; I snagged about half that box Tim had, and I can't tell you how happy a whole bunch of kids were to get their hands on some calls, both predator and turkey, as well as handing out some of the videos to accquaintances I know, who had an interest in predator hunting.
Posted by bucksnort (Member # 202) on March 05, 2011, 07:35 PM:
Vic, I'll dig out what I have left and give them to you if you still know kids who'd like them.
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on March 05, 2011, 07:38 PM:
I stand corrected. That was the Coffee Shop. One of the first boards I hit and I believe it was there that I met Higgins and he called me, we talked, and he invited me here. I was at Sporting Adventures, too, but never mde it to Shade Tree.
Posted by Krustyklimber (Member # 72) on March 05, 2011, 11:42 PM:
Bob Connell runs TxPP... wasn't Bob Davis "Evil Bob" from Califonia?
Krusty 
Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on March 06, 2011, 07:55 AM:
I knew I had the Bobs' mixed up; thanks for the correction Krusty....yep; Banzi Bob as Bruce used to call him.
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on March 06, 2011, 08:16 AM:
"Bob Connell runs TxPP... wasn't Bob Davis "Evil Bob" from Califonia?"
--------------------------------
Bob Connell does run the Texas predator posse board. Predator Posse's Bob Davis lived in Sturgis, South Dakota.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 06, 2011, 08:46 AM:
I agree with the corrected info. I thought what Vic wrote didn't seem right, but he is so seldom wrong? And, yes, Bob Davis is the big promoter up in Sturgis. One of the conditions of handing over his membership to PM was that he would not create another message board targeting predators and predator hunters. Of the four parties involved in that agreement, two are deceased, Wil Craig and Bruce Kennedy, leaving myself and Bob Davis as the only persons with knowledge of the strictly verbal agreement.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on March 06, 2011, 10:09 AM:
quote:
Of the four parties involved in that agreement, two are deceased, Wil Craig and Bruce Kennedy, leaving myself and Bob Davis as the only persons with knowledge of the strictly verbal agreement.
So then you went back on your word!!!! Hmmmm
Posted by smithers (Member # 646) on March 06, 2011, 10:41 AM:
TA, although your reply was made in jest, I will correct you, nonetheless. Leonard stated he was privy to the agreement, not a party to the agreement.
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on March 06, 2011, 02:56 PM:
TA17Rem ,
Read Leonard's post real slow. Well maybe JD could read it for you? Bob Davis made the promise, NOT Leonard. ![[Confused]](confused.gif)
Posted by DEL GUE (Member # 1526) on March 06, 2011, 04:06 PM:
Vic,
Where on the Gulf Coast did you end up?? And yes, the weather can get ugly here..just think: hurricane season is less than 3 months away!
Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on March 06, 2011, 04:11 PM:
Im up in the panhandle Del; Destin,FWB area, a little hamlet called Crestview, about 20 miles north of the redneck rivera:)
Posted by JoeF (Member # 228) on March 06, 2011, 04:39 PM:
I remember Dave and LB from the Go-Go days, though I might suspect earlier than 1997 a bit. Maybe not.
Hard to say, those were some busy times.
Posted by DEL GUE (Member # 1526) on March 06, 2011, 06:31 PM:
Gotcha, Vic. You're just north of Eglin. I've never hunted Eglin. My father and brothers have..last I knew it was 'shotgun only', which is one reason I was never terribly excited about hunting it. You're right close to 'bama, though, and I've hunted 'bama before. We used to hunt it back in the mid to late '70's. And I was up there a few times last year. 'bama's got good huntin, that's for sure. As far as north FL, you're a few hours out of Apalachicola Nat'l Forest. I've never hunted there. Most of my hunting has been in Ocala N. F. and Camp Blanding, a National Guard base near Starke, which is SW of Jacksonville. If I can do anything at all to help you with anything, lemme know.
I seem to remember my brother saying something when he was going to Auburn University about him and some of his posse heading down to Panama City on spring break back in the day. He attended the College of Forestry, and those ol' boys liked to party. The area around Auburn was dry, and they used to make a run over to Columbus and get a keg and take it back and have a 'keg party' out in the woods somewhere. The professors attended, too. Those 'bama boys are real serious about their hunting..that they are.
[ March 06, 2011, 06:37 PM: Message edited by: DEL GUE ]
Posted by Jrbhunter (Member # 459) on March 06, 2011, 06:41 PM:
Vic, please shoot me an email sometime.
Jasonrbruce@thenpha.com
Posted by honestjohn (Member # 2651) on March 07, 2011, 01:23 PM:
The wife and I went on vacation week before last to Panama Beach,the weather was great that week,the sand was white as sugar,glad we left before the bad weather.Sounds like we were not far from where you guys are talking about.
Posted by DEL GUE (Member # 1526) on March 07, 2011, 01:39 PM:
Panama City is about 65 miles SE of where Vic is.
[ March 07, 2011, 01:40 PM: Message edited by: DEL GUE ]
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 07, 2011, 02:44 PM:
I spent a hell of a lot of time at Eglin and Hurlburt Field during the Cuban Missile Crisis, if anybody remembers that little bit of history? Six months, in fact.
Air Force had a mock up village at Hurlburt for what was called the Air Commandos, at the time. Lots of supposed Guatemalan airplanes like B25's and Thunderbolts. That deal lasted a lot longer than the public knew. I don't think any other U.S. Army has been TDY in the State of Florida, before or since. They rotated me right from Germany to El Paso and then spent the night traveling to Eglin after Kennedy did his speech. On civilian flights, with civilians on board, as far as New Orleans then we switched to 141's and 124's into Elgin and stayed at their yacht club for a couple weeks and after, their BOQ. The whole time, there was an information black out, not even family was supposed to know where we were. As far as I have been able to find out, nobody else has ever been subjected to censoring of mail home, since WWII. Got all the tropical inoculations before we left, made out a will.
My friends, that was a scary time. More than you will ever know. Some day, I may write about what I remember, if it's okay, but it might not be?
Oops, here come the black helicopters!
Good hunting. LB
Posted by George Ackley (Member # 898) on March 07, 2011, 03:26 PM:
DUL GUE
I also hunt the Ocala area and was just down there picking up gator mounts.
you hunting the nation forest or on a lease ?
my family is in St. Augustine and Jacksonville near Cecil field
trying to get down there this month for turkey .
[ March 07, 2011, 03:32 PM: Message edited by: George Ackley ]
Posted by DEL GUE (Member # 1526) on March 07, 2011, 04:15 PM:
I hunted the national forest. Last year in 'bama my brother belonged to a lease and I went up there a few times with him hunting. I haven't hunted Ocala in a while. After my mom died in late '03 I didn't hunt for a spell. Then in 2008 my brother and I went on a guided elk hunt in Montana. We didn't get anything, but it was, how shall I say, an interesting experience. Then late 2009=early 2010 we hunted on that lease he belonged to in 'bama. Fall of 2010 I didn't do much, as I was dealing with a 'situation', shall we say, and my motivation was non-existent. We'll see what happens this year..the jury is still out. I'd like to try to get to Glacier on vacation this summer. I haven't been to Montana in a while, and I'm due. I'm considering another rifle, but maybe not. I'm pretty happy with my Savage .25-06 and 7mm Mag and my Tikka .30-06. There's just something about that .25-06 that makes me feel, well, content.
[ March 07, 2011, 04:16 PM: Message edited by: DEL GUE ]
Posted by CrossJ (Member # 884) on March 07, 2011, 07:20 PM:
Del....my ex's family ranched in the Wildwood area. Used to go down there once a year for their family reunion. We always did some hog hunting when I was down there. I used to trade dogs with her cousins. They also had a place in Salt Springs. Really neat country. They have since sold all their land holdings and moved to Al. I sure miss her family....lol.
Posted by George Ackley (Member # 898) on March 07, 2011, 07:27 PM:
crossj
Funny that you said Wildwood, that's were my taxidermist is that did my gator's .
For me Florida is turning out to be my new top 4 destination for hunting.
[ March 07, 2011, 07:27 PM: Message edited by: George Ackley ]
Posted by Crow Woman (Member # 157) on March 10, 2011, 09:55 AM:
Wow Vic... guess I've been away for awhile. I have a brother, retired Airforce that lives in Crestview. Might have to give ya a hollar, he's always asking when I'm coming down.
Posted by DEL GUE (Member # 1526) on March 11, 2011, 08:54 AM:
CrossJ: we used to camp at Salt Springs when we were hunting up there. We'd go into that little grocery store there and I'd get potato wedges to scarf down.
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