Home › Forums › Campfire Forum › Who is your bowhunting hero and why?
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Mine is G.Fred Asbell. He is likely the one that got me interested in traditional shooting back in the eighties. It was an article in an archery magazine saying that we really don’t need sights,stabilizers and releases to shoot accurately with a bow.
I have never read an article of his that I didn’t like. They vary greatly; neck knives, keeping a journal, wool clothing and all having a practical element to them.
I have his book and video on instinctive shooting and I would suggest strongly for anyone starting into traditional shooting that the book or video would be very helpful. There is also a very hands on section in the book on building wood arrows.
I have never met the man but I get a picture of somebody that is an exceptional hunter, high moral standards, but also fairly open-minded.One of bowhuntings true ambassadors!!!
PS: The article in the last TBM “Avoiding Easier..” really makes you think.
Photo also of two amazing caribou racks!!!!Bruce
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Fred Bear,Howard Hill,Ben Pearson.
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got several but I’d have to say Dan Quillian stands out for me. Mostly because we were friends and he had a lot to do with me getting back into traditional archery. He also campaigned for and was very important in us getting an archery season here in Georgia. We didn’t always agree on everything (we were both too opinionated for that) but I sure do miss him. i catch myself sometimes thinking about calling him to talk about something (he’d almost always have a different perspective that helped me see something I might have missed). Even now, when I’m shooting I usually imagine him there watching and it helps me somehow….
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my good friend tim light, because after my dad past away! i was hanging out with son and thinking about give up hunting all together and he open the door to traditional archery that i would never exsited if it wasnt from him taking me under his wing and showing me how to shoot how to bowhunt the true way, i wouldnt be where i am today
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Several, young and old. But at top my list is Greg Munther of MT. He is older than me (68 I believe) yet tougher than me, hunts ALL the time when not fishing, and is very successful. His ethics are impeccable and he doesn’t limit his dedicating to hunting just to “taking.” He also gives back, fighting hard to keep ATVs from finishing the job of ruining hunting adventure and democratic access on western public lands. Greg is chair of Montana BHA. dave p
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Of the iconic bowhunters, Fred Bear is my favorite but I look up to the others too and enjoy reading of their exploits with bow and arrow. But it was my uncle who got me started with a Shakespeare glass target bow and some arrows for my 12th birthday. Shot a blackbird and a few field rats with it!
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Barry Wensel. After viewing Bowhunting October Whitetails in the 1980’s I knew there was something to shooting traditional equipment. I had only been bowhunting for 2 seasons but at that time got rid of my compound,bought a recurve and never looked back. I also had the pleasure to hunt with Barry and he is a super great guy!
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Fred Bear….because he missed a lot like I do but still managed to get lucky with the big ones. Plus I love those old movies!
I also like Hill becasue he didn’t miss a lot 🙂
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I personally struggle with the whole hero thing, especially in bowhunting circles. That said, there are quite a few archers within the ranks that I admire and take from. Saxton Pope is way up on the list in regards to his wonderful books on bowhunting. I have always admired Papa Bear because as a kid I thought he was the coolest cat out there. Watching him on TV and reading his Field Notes only stoked the fire. I have a growing admiration for Paul Schafer and Bart Schleyer. They were both hardcore hunters and their stories captivate me every time. For many years, the standard bearers in how I want to carry myself in regards to ethics and love of the bow are Jay Massey and Doug Borland. I admire and respect the writings of Don Thomas and Dave Petersen. Their writings have been extremely influential in my development as a traditional bowhunter. Lastly, my father is the ultimate source of inspiration for me and if the word hero has to be used, then it is him who fits the mold. He is as tough as nails, disciplined, and has a true passion for traditional bowhunting. Like all fathers, he made mistakes with me when he was younger, but since traditional archery came to the forefront in our hunting, he has exemplified ethics/principles beyond reproach. T
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For me, my friend Dru Saddler is. He is a fellow teacher at my high school who has taught me a lot about archery and hunting so far. His offer to teach me and invite me to start scouting and hunting has shown me a new skill that I am really enjoying. I may never be successful in hunting a deer, but I am really enjoying the journey.
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I also think word Hero is a little much, but there sure are some influences and people I look up to. So I am going to add to the list above.My father who is a miminalist in every sense of the word. Paul Bruner was one that I learned a lot from. Dave’s Passion for elk, and the dark timber they in habit is infectious! You, all here, have added something!That is the cool thing about the mind set of the of the traditional Bowhunter–we feel as we are a part of something transcendent of ourselves. So in short I, like being part of a diverse tribe, have gained more that I have given; from far to many people to list! knowledge and wisdom that makes me consider them all”heros”
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Yes I have to agree that “Hero” isn’t maybe the correct word but with my limited writing and vocabulary skills, I couldn’t think of another word to use. The reason for the thread is that I feel a lot of these people maybe don’t get the credit they deserve !!!
Bruce -
I’m always uncomfortable with the word “hero ” . But away across the pond here in Australia , bowhunting is still on the outer and misunderstood . The ‘high profile ‘ bowhunters we have are more often than not people with whom I would rather not share a camp .
The people I admire tend to come from people whom have written books that in some way connected with me …
so in no particular order …
Glenn St Charles [ RIP ] … for reminding us of the adventure of it all
John Schulz … for unashamedly carrying a torch with which I identify , just by simplifying !
Bob Swineheart … for making a lil’ kid in Australia dream of bigger and grand adventure whilst having perfectly oiled hair
Saxton Pope … for being Saxton pope
Dave Peterson … for writing exactly what I want to say , -
Yep.. Have to agree with most, My only “Hero” is Jesus Christ.
Never had any bowhunting / archery heros mainly because I had no mentors other than my friends, so I am for the most part – self taught.
Although, I owe most credit to my Dad, who always had time to take me fishing and introduce me to the outdoors.
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SteveMcD wrote: Yep.. Have to agree with most, My only “Hero” is Jesus Christ.
Never had any bowhunting / archery heros mainly because I had no mentors other than my friends, so I am for the most part – self taught.
Although, I owe most credit to my Dad, who always had time to take me fishing and introduce me to the outdoors.
Steve, I’m right with you there brother <
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I have alot of people I look upto in bowhunting….and alot of them are still with us. But the one guy that I used to love to read and read about was Paul Schafer. His stories were real down to earth but adventurous at the same time. I miss him.
Of course, I enjoy FB,GFA,DP,GW,BW,TJC,EDT,and MRJ,just to mention a few.Wish I could express things half as well as they can and did.
I feel fortunate just to be in the midst of some of them. -
A tough question … to isolate a single individual, however, it would have to be my brother, O.E. Linsin. Still actively hunting, and hunting well, OE has served as my bow hunting inspiration throughout my life. He stands for all that’s best in the role of hunter/conservationist.
Of course, Fred Bear, Art Young, Paul Shafer, Roger Rothharr, and the Wensels have all inspired me in varying degrees.
Chris
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Different Folks for different strokes as far as I’m concerned:
1. T.J Conrads for introducing me to traditional archery and teaching me all about it thru his Traditional Bowhunter handbook.
2. David Petersen for teaching me my place in the Wild and in the World as a Man, a Hunter and Traditional Bowhunter.
3.Ray Hammond, my day-to-day Archery and Bowhunting techniques “Guru”.
4. Ron LaClair, the archer I always try to emulate when I shoot an arrow.5. Glenn St Charles, Saxton Pope and Art Young, no comment.
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I would have to say that the word “hero” is over the top for me, I look up to anyone that is willing to contribute thier own personal time and energy for they believe in. I also believe that there are to many people past and present to list, thanks to all of those that made bow hunting what it is and those who continue to make it better.
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I am fairly new to this forums, and I don’t know what the general attitude is of Trad Barta…but I really don’t care anyway..but HE is a TRULY inspirational guy and in MY book a HERO! Have any of you guys seen what he has gone through, how passionate for life this man is, how dedicated to traditional archery? NOTHING can stop this guy! I admit, there are only a few things I admire about Ted Nugent, but Tred is out there defending hunting and fishing, he shows when he misses and can laugh at himself unlike many celebrity hunters…. If you don’t know about him, just check him out. This man was a trad hunter, was paralyzed from the waist down…but now he is skiing with a mono-ski, shooting his longbow again and took a nice bear, riding his horse… My hat is off to Tred Barta!8)
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Larry O Fischer and Yote Robertson. Both for very different reasons that would take to long to list here.
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Any regular guy who stays after it! With this criteria; Honest,benevolent,trustworthy,fair to the animal he hunts, and law abiding. I have made some mistakes in my youth! Now I will live and hunt to be an example! That is the guy I admire. No one guy has ever got it done for the entire world of Bow hunters. It has taken the efforts of many who share the “Art”of using Archery equipment to take Game. Actually, all of us should strive toward that end for the longevity of Bow hunting in the “Traditional Way”.:)
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I’ll offer a couple more. Guys i’ve met that had that little something that made them stand out in my mind. Jay Massey and Vern Struble. I met Jay at the GLLI back in the 90’s sometime. We shook hands and talked for awhile. It was like i was talkin to my brother. The most genuine person i ever met. I ran into Vern in South Dakota in a little cafe. He was on a deer hunt and i was chasing pheasants. We had supper together and talked for hours. A true gentleman to be sure!
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Gene & Barry Wensel! Why? Because they are the real deal when it comes to hunting, and because when I was 18 years old they did a seminar at a local college in my homestate of NJ. I wanted to attend, and my girlfriend at the time (a super beautiful Italian gal that took me months to go out with)threatened to break up with me if i did. I was single in a NY minute a after attending the seminar.:D
They took to time to talk to me and answer my questions, they treated me like a normal human being ..not like the typical celeb.pukes you meet at events nowadays…snotty and full of themselves.
To this day they still treat me like a regular Joe and i never forgot that from that day in 1978. I want to saythey had a small role in the development of my character as young adult. I make sure I treat everyone i meet withthe same friendly demeanor and rspect.
Thanks guys,
Rich -
Bruce you just made my day:D
But I think I’ve got a long way to go to reach “Hero” status . . . I think I’m with Steve about only one individual meeting my Hero requirements . . . but there are a lot of individuals that I look up to and respect.
I really respect the writing/story telling abilities of Don Thomas, and Dave Peterson
I respect/appreciate the guidance I’ve received through text/video formats from Fred G Ashbell, TJ Conrads, and the Wensels
I totally respect the gumption of Tred Barta, even if he is a little crazy.
The real Hero’s are the average guys who squeeze in a hunt among their crazy schedule to fill their freezers!!! Those are the guys that keep the REAL hunting traditional alive!
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I watched ‘The Last Farm’ earlier this week and have been left wondering what the reaction of the old couples family might have been, did they understand.
I think I understand but find it difficult to put into words.
Mark.
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Fred Bear
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Chiloquin ~ What a beautiful video. It made my heart ache for the longing to live that life style. It sure does bring up a feeling of belonging to the land. Thanks.
Dan
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