And after picking up trays and passing through the serving line, we all gravitated to any tables offering empty seats. And, of course, there too was the most famous bowhunter of them all, Fred Bear.īack in those early days of Pope & Young Club banquets, dinner was strictly cafeteria-style. Down from Alaska was the Club’s self-appointed curmudgeon, crusty George Moerlein. Colorado Governor John Love and DOW Director Harry Woodward.

And there was Club treasurer Carl Hulbert. Beyond Roy were brothers Joe and Jack Jonas of taxidermy fame, and Arthur Young’s grandson, Chuck. And there was Roy Hoff, Archery Magazine editor and the man who purchased and published my very first bowhunting articles. Charles talking with Larry Bamford, current Club president and newly named Bowhunter magazine hunting editor. Over there was Pope & Young Club founder Glenn St. What better reasons where there to meet and rub shoulders with some of the country’s top bowhunters? None that I could name.Įverywhere we looked in the crowded room were people we knew personally or by reputation. Earlier, I’d received an invitation to pick up the plaque in person from Pope & Young Club records chairman, Dick Mauch, during the two-day gathering. Not only were Don Clark, Bob Schisler and I covering the gathering for our fledgling publication, Bowhunter magazine, but a huge 20-inch black bear I’d arrowed in June of ’71 had earned an Honorable Mention record book award. My hunting partners and I had decided to take in the Pope & Young Club’s eighth biennial convention and awards banquet before heading back home to Indiana. But we didn’t the hotel was crawling with other bowhunters. Bewhiskered, bleary-eyed and bone-tired, we could have felt out of place within the plush confines of Denver’s towering Regency Rodeway Inn. WE LIKELY WERE A RATTY-LOOKING, RAGTAG BUNCH after spending a full week in Colorado’s Book Cliffs chasing velvet-racked muley bucks. It’s one of my favorites because it’s totally unposed and captures the familiar face in a rare moment of quiet reflection. My Bowhunter partner Steve Doucette, a talented photographer, snapped this candid picture of Papa Bear reflecting on some private thoughts before addressing a large crowd of admiring bowhunters.

I’ll join you in the big hunt before too long. I felt his touch, I felt his guiding hand.īecause of Fred Bear I will walk down those trails again.įred Bear, I’m glad to have you at my side, my friend. I tried to remember everything he taught me so well. Fourth and final excerpt from the book 'Unforgettable Bowhunters' BY MR JAMESĬhapter FIVE The Greatest Bowhunter of All Time

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