Episode 71: Santa and The Pirate Part 2 - Al Quackenbush: The SoCal Bowhunter

The HHAUSA Podcast

My close friend Al Quackenbush, The SoCal Bowhunter, returns to the podcast to finish the conversation that Aaron Ritter and I started last week. Having formed quite the bond over the last year, I was excited to get Al’s take on all the happenings of a busy and fruitful 2022.
Quackenbush returned to Wisconsin for HHAUSA Mission 20 in Appleton July 9th and 10th in what turned out to be an impactful weekend for so many. Connecting with Ritter in Chicago and making the short drive to Appleton to meet up with myself and Jeff Litteral, Al elaborates on just how special that weekend was for the Fab Four. The few short days we spent together went by too fast but the fellowship and memories made quickly became the highlight of the year for each of us. Good food, great conversation, plenty of archery (thanks Old 45 Archery and Twin City Rod and Gun Club) and a few pair of Hey Dudes made it hard to say goodbye on Sunday.
Two months later, Al and I would connect again, this time in Nashville for an archery shoot on 9/11. An invitation from Logan White, co-owner of The Archery Den in Franklin Tennessee, led to another weekend that will live forever in my mind and the fortunate few that we spent time with. Chad Stillman, Josh Vegors, and Ira Dean joined us for a dinner and an evening for the ages. It was one of the most profound conversations that I have ever been a part of. Five guys from different walks of life sat around a table, shared their stories and lives were changed. Self-subscribed talkers, Al and I did a lot of listening that night, something that we both have wanted to get better at over the past year. We laughed, we cried and a handful of hours later, left better men than when we came.
With limited hunting opportunities in Southern California, Al returned to his home state of New York in early October for a week of whitetail hunting with his family. Trying out his Latitude Outdoors Tree Saddle for the first time, he learned a few things and put two does in the freezer to boot. His brother was able to harvest a buck Al had been targeting and it was a great week of hunting that put his archery and saddle skills to the test.
Early November would reunite Santa and The Pirate once again, this time in Nebraska for a deer hunt as the rut was kicking in. While Al wasn’t able to close the deal, Aaron took his best buck to date and the two friends were able to enjoy that special moment in the Navy Veteran’s hunting career together.
With the calendar ready to flip to 2023, our talk turned to early January and another reunion for the three amigos in Indianapolis at the Archery Trade Association Show. It will be the first time attending for Quackenbush and Aaron’s second ATA. I very much look forward to seeing my friends again, knowing great memories will be made and more importantly, that God will be on the move, providing us more opportunities to touch lives through the sport of archery. I’d say that’s a great way to kick off the New Year!
To connect with Al Quackenbush, you can find him on Facebook and Instagram and visit his page at https://socalbowhunter.com/

For more information about HHAUSA, learn how you can support our mission, or attend an event, visit www.hhausa.org
To purchases HHAUSA hats, tees and hoodies, visit www.hhasports.com
HHAUSA Partner Discount Codes
Hot Shot 15% Off Code: HHAPartner24
Rugid Gear 10% Off Code: HHAUSA10
StealthRig 15% Off Code: Stealth15