GORH Committe Members and Advisers.

Tony Phillips, John Gesner, Steve Gossage, Jamie Miller, Greg Scott, and Jim Suttinger.

Carrying on the hunting tradition started by our forefathers in Ohio Bowhunting history in 1934. 2013 will be the 79th anniversary of the Great Ohio Rabbit Hunt and the 14th anniversary of the re-birth of this tradition brought back to life by Dean Torges in 1999. GORH is held every other year and the next will be February 2013. Recurves and longbows are the equipment of choice. There are many that see this event as a memorial to what bowhunting used to be and a link to our rich archery past. One who put it eloquently is the current President of the Ohio Society Of Traditional Archers, Jamie Miller.

"The spirit of GORH focuses on celebrating the simple pleasure and excitement of pursuing small game with stick and string, and the unique camaraderie and fellowship that can only be found while hunting with like minded archery hunters. It is a means for us to re-establish the core values of bow and arrow hunting that have been stolen from us by a shameless, irreverent, success oriented archery industry. As a ten year GORH survivor, all I can say is that if you've never attended the Great Ohio Rabbit Hunt, you are missing out on something very, very special. " (2009)

Traditional archery became traditional archery with the invention of the compound bow. GORH is a link back to a time when all there was were classical bows and arrows in the archery season and small game hunting was the norm. Today we are over-run with the marketing of bow hunting from the latest gadget, to "growing" bigger deer, and the introduction of the latest technology to make instant gratification and success for the newest would-be bowhunter. It is an epidemic in almost every form of hunting media. The trophy hunt is the norm of this age and we as bow hunters have suffered for it because we have allowed someone else to choose our trophies for us. Jamie Miller's words above ring true concerning how shameless and success oriented the archery industry has become.

Dean Torges has done Ohio bow hunters a great service by reviving this tradition in 1999 and we are be grateful to Dean for rekindling GORH. It is said that was experienced in 1999 cannot and will not be repeated. It can be assured that the original GORH's were just as special. The hope is that future GORH's will remain true to a more simplistic time that keeps bow hunters in touch with their roots. Those who have attended a GORH have found a place in Ohio to get connected with their archery heritage. As it was heard someone say at GORH 2009, "This is the way animals were meant to be hunted".

GREAT OHIO RABBIT HUNT 1999

GREAT OHIO RABBIT HUNT 2009

This page and pictures are from "Ye Sylvan Archer" which is the only known record of the early Great Ohio Rabbit Hunts.