When I was a youngster growing up in Western Pennsylvania, one of my favorite TV shows was “Daniel Boone.” I watched the Daniel Boone show every week but remember very little from it. I valued my coonskin cap and my “cork” gun and when Daniel Boone was on TV, I was prepared with each.
Boone is an American legend. Fes Parker was the star of the show and sang the Daniel Boone theme song. His sidekick was “Mingo,” a Cherokee native played by Ed Ames.
Ed Ames appeared on the Johnny Carson TV show in 1965 in which he was showing Carson how to throw a tomahawk at an outline of a lawman. In the unrehearsed exhibition, the tomahawk hit the target right in the groin. The audience went wild with laughter.
I hadn’t thought about the tomahawk sequence on the Carson show until I recently stayed in a “tiny house” in the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are bears in those mountains.
While in the mountains I reminisced about Boone and Davy Crockett, another American folklore hero. In a song lyrics say that Crockett “kilt him a ‘bar’ when he was only three.” I thought about these guys toting tomahawks and hatchets and recalled that axe throwing is growing in popularity in the USA.
Bingo! I added it to my bucket list.
Several days ago I went to “The Axe Haus” in North Port, Florida. There I learned how to throw the axe at a target and have a lot of fun. While others play golf or other pastimes, I have found axe throwing to be challenging, relaxing, and enjoyable. I likely will do it again! Here are some photos of a throwing sequence. All I need is the coonskin cap to cover my balding head.
Barry's Adventures Following Retirement 
Funny you mentioned Daniel Boone! Rog absolutely loved watching the show and one year for his birthday I bought him the complete series ! We had it in our car and our grandsons watched it and loved it as well! Both boys had the complete outfits one year for Halloween! I know where you could find a coonskin cap! And this might be a new sport for you!
Pam
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Thaanks, Pam! That is an interesting comment!
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Barry, thank you for sharing this. I too was a faithful fan of Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett as a lad. I also had a coonskin hat which was purchased at Davey Crockett’s home during family trip. I also recall Ed Ames famous hatchet throw on Carson. It still can be seen on YouTube.
Thank you for the memories. I hear axe throwing has potential for us aging Boone and Crockett fans. Johnny
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Johnny, I am glad you enjoyed the blog and the memories.
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Barry, Thanks for another interesting blog. Your story brought back lots of memories of TV in the 1950s, especially the frontier shows and westerns that were so popular then. And the Ed Ames/Carson episode was hysterical! What a great memory you have! Perhaps they’ll put ax throwing into the Olympics someday, and you can try out for the team!
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I actually sucked at throwing. I hit the wall beside the target and the floor many more times than the target! LOL!
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Sounds like a great outing. I remember belting out the Davy Crocket song when I was a preschooler. You may have found your new athletic talent. I bet they have a world competition in axe throwing.
Kathy L
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LOL!! I wasn’t very good! I hit the floor more times than I hit the target.
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As always, your words made your activity come alive! Not only did it bring back memories of shows I also enjoyed as a child, but definitely made me want to experience the fun of axe throwing. I love the photos of you sending that axe to the target!
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It was a fun experience and I think you would be good at it!
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I remember those Davy Crockett days! There was a contest at Somerset Playground where my brother and I dressed up in coon skin caps & costumes made from A&P paper bags, complete with sissor cut fringe and a wooden ” rifle”. So much fun! Thanks for bringing back memories, Barry.
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Wow! I forgot about that! I participated too and it was so much fun! A much simpler time!!
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Nice blog post! When you come visit, I have a small hatchet from Lowe’s and I’m sure I could set up a plywood target for you to demonstrate your new skills!
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Outstanding! Attaboy, Barry—bringing an idol to life! Keep practicing … you’ll be a champeeen in no time. Having no particular athletic skills, Kathy Lioi and I have singing the theme in common.
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Barry, I can’t imagine anyone our age not watching Davy Crocket. I certainly did. There was an axe throwing venue here in Somerset in the shopping plaza across from the old Giant Eagle on West Main. I thought I should give it a go, but never got around to it and now its closed.
Will you try again?
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Yes, I will do it again. It is interesting.
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