Archery Heroes

Legends

Brave Knight Sir Bowen from

• See my Sir Bowen page in Heraldry web

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Robin Hood (1160-1247)

Possibly Robert Fitz-Ooth, Earl of Huntingdon (or Robertus Hoodus, Robert Hode, or Robin of Piers Plowman), 94 years after Norman conquest -- Legendary outlaw, leader of the band in Lincoln green, and master bowman of Sherwood Forest, who has epitomized the fight of free men against oppressive authority through the ages.

• Lytell Geste of Robyn Hode (1495) -- First collection of ballads
• John Maior, a Scottish historian and philosopher 1469-1549 described Robertus Hoodus.

"Here underneath this little stone, lies Robert, Earl of Huntington. No archer was as he so good, and people called him Robin Hood. Such outlaws as he and his men, will England never see again." December 14, 1247

• Movies
  • 1901 - Young Robin Hood: The King of Outlaws - [4 adventures, animated]
  • 1922 - Robin Hood - Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.
  • 1938 - The Adventures of Robin Hood - Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, with archery shots done by Howard Hill; the Oath of Robin's Men
  • 1950 - Rogues of Sherwood Forest - John Dereck
  • 1950 - Trail of Robin Hood - Roy Rogers
  • 1952 - The Story of Robin Hood - Richard Todd, Joan Rice [Walt Disney]
  • 1959 - The Son of Robin Hood - David Hedison
  • 1961 - Sword of Sherwood Forest - Richard Greene
  • ? - Robin Hood - Patrick Bergin
  • 1973 - Robin Hood [animated]
  • 1976 - Robin and Marian - Sean Connery, Audrey Hepburn, & Robert Shaw
  • 1991 - Robin Hood Prince of Thieves - Kevin Costner
  • 1993 - Robin Hood Men in Tights - (Mel Brooks is Rabbi Tuckman)
• TV
  • Robin of Sherwood web site http://plaza.interport.net/logomanc/ROS/index.html
• [See also Zorro]

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Welchmen/Welshmen

• Welshmen living 'between the upper waters of the Wye and the Bristol Channel kept the long bow from dying out in the 12 Century... The people of Venta (or Monmouth) are more used to war, more famous for their courage and more skilled in archery than any other Welchmen.' -- [Hardy, 1990]
• See Royal Kentish Bowmen (developers of the York Round)
• See Horace Ford from Glamorgan
• See Traditional Bowen Arms

Historic Figures

• Sir Roger Ascham (1515-1568) -- Often referred to as the "father of archery." Was tutor to Queen Elizabeth I and author of the  first English book on archery, Toxophilus in 1545. He recorded the Five Partitions. The traditional bow cabinet bears his name. [See TB Magazine, Dec/Jan 1995, pp. 97-98].
• Fred Bear (1902-1988) -- Noted archer, bowyer, and author (see Archery Quotes). Fred's trophies and history can be seen at the Fred Bear Museum in Gainesville, FL [see Traditional Bowhunter , Dec/Jan 1994, pp. 41-43]. His bows, hat and other items can also been seen at the Pope & Young Museum in Seattle, WA. A member of the national advisory board for the Pope & Young Club.
• Roy Case  (1888-1986) -- Coined the term "bowhunter" around 1950, father of Wisconsin bowhunting (shot the first deer with a bow and arrow in modern times, and instrumental in getting the first bow-only season in 1934), TB J/J 93 p.63, 66.
• William (Will) John Compton (1863-1938) -- Called "The Chief." Lived among the Sioux Indians from whom he learned to make bows. Taught Art Young about archery. Supplied yew billets to Pope, Young, and other early bowyers in the US. [See TB Magazine, Jun/Jul 1994, pp. 54-57].
• Doug Easton -- Famous for his aluminum shafts, but he also made bows and arrowheads. See Traditional Bowhunter Aug/Sep 1997, by Joe St. Charles , pp. 84-87.
• Dr. Robert Elmer -- A physician in general practice who left a body of writing about archery that stands very high in the international literature (American Archery, Archery, Book of the Longbow). He did experiments on the bow for efficiency. He challenged the English Longbow "D" design and proposed a rectangular bow section, which is now popular in American longbow design.
• Horace Alford Ford -- From Glamorgan. In 1854, the first man to ever score more than 1,000 in a Double York Round. In 1857 he scored 245 hits, with a value of 1251. Held the record for a single York until 1943 (with a self yew longbow and wooden arrows).Wrote the book Archery:Its Theory and Practice, where he described the point-of-aim method. [See write on on Stickbow site: http://www.stickbow.com/stickbow/history/horace-ford.html].
• Howard Hill (-1974) -- Followed in the footsteps of Pope and Young by putting archery before the public. "Hill, mainly through the medium of the motion picture, has familiarized more people with the excitement, beauty and enchantment of archery, than any single archer" [Burke, 1957, 206]. He did the archery shots in The Adventures of Robin Hood. Habitually used bows well over 100#. In 1928, using a 172# bow, he shot an arrow 391 yards, 23 inches. Hill placed great emphasis on the choosing of arrows for each type of game and matching the arrows to the bow, by spine and weight. He believed in quick, instinctive shooting from a high anchor point on the corner of the mouth (not on the chin like many target archers).
• Ishi (?-1916) -- the last survivor of the Yahi. He was discovered, near starved, in 1911. He learned English and taught Dr. Pope the craft of making bows and arrows based on the traditions of his tribe, which Pope recorded in his books.
• Art LaHa -- Archer, guide and author. [See Traditional Bowhunter Magazine, Jun/Jul 1993, pp. 62-69].
• Jay Massey (1941-1997) -- Contributor to Traditional Bowhunter  and Primitive Archery magazines. Arthur of Bowhunting Alaska's Wild Rivers, A Thousand Campfires, The Bowyer's Craft, and The Book of Primitive Archery. [See TB Magazine, Jun/Jul 1997]
• Fern Meigs (1925-1993) -- First woman to be bestowed the Fred Bear Memorial Award for unprecedented support and advancement in traditional archery. TB J/J 93 p.52
• Forrest Nagler (1885-1952) -- Author of Archery An Engineering View, 1940; The Bow and Arrow for Big Game, 1940; Archery the Technical Side, 1947. [TB Oct/Nov 1998, pp.61-68].
• Glenn Parker (-1994) -- TB J/J 94 pp.72-75
• Ben Pearson (November 16, 1898 - March 2, 1971) -- Here are a few high-lights from "Ben Pearson -- The Archer from Arkansas" in Traditional Bowhunter Apr/May 1997, by Joe St. Charles and the video The Legendary Hunts of Ben Pearson [Also see write-up on Stickbow site http://www.stickbow.com/stickbow/history/benpearson.html]
  • 1926 - Made his first bow. A six foot hickory longbow from instruction in Boy Scout articles by Dan Beard. [He later authored "How to Make a Flat Bow" in the BSA Archery Merit Badge Series.]
  • 1926 - His first archery tournament he scored next to last, out of 20 archers.
  • 1927 - One year later, won 1st place in Arkansas State Archery Championships!
  • 1938 - Began Ben Pearson Inc. (with financial backing by Carl Haun) which was the first mass production of archery equipment. Became known as Ben Pearson Archery.
  • 1939 - Patented his stamped .050 steel broadhead, now refered to as having a "skeleton" ferrule (made out of the center by forming bands on both sides).
  • 1940 - Introduced the first hand tapering tool.
  • 1941 - Manufactured Howard Hill's bow design.
  • 1943 to Mid-1950s was the largest manufacturer of archery equipment in the world!
  • 1950 - Provided Howard Hill's hunting arrows for his African Safari.
  • 1954 -- Designed a take-down bow with a solid wood (maple?) core that had fiberglass wrap. There were the #306 at 66" available up to 85#, the #302 at 60", and the #304 at 64". (Looks like there is one in the photo of Ben). For more information on these bows, see Ben Pearson #3xx Takedowns. See also my bows.
  • 1954 - Produced a number of one-piece cast steel broad heads, called Sure Kill Broadheads, based on a packaging slogan "Sure Kills with Pearson Broadheads."
  • 1955 - Gave shooting demonstrations on the Will Rogers, Jr Show.
  • 1956 - Created a laminate takedown recurve, later (in 1958) called the "Bushmaster".
  • Successfully hunted pheasant and duck with a bow. Also took a Pronghorn (1957), Cougar (1958), and Javelina (1959).
  • 1961 - A member of the national advisory board for the Pope & Young Club.
  • 1965 - Developed the "Dead Head" (originally for turkey hunting). Harvested a Russian Boar. Then went to Alaska and took a 800 lb. barren ground Grizzly, a caribou, and a polar bear.
  • 1967 - Ben retired from the archery manufacturing business (Ben Pearson Archery was sold in 1966?)
  • 1971 - Ben died March 2, 1971 at age 72.
  • 1972 - Among the first inductees of the Archery Hall of Fame.
• Jerry Oren Pierce (1935-1999) "Choctaw" recurve, TB Magazine, Aug/Sep 1999, pp.26-28 [See also TB Fall 1992 pp. 23-28; cover of Feb/Mar 1996.]
• Dr. Saxton Temple Pope (1875-1926) -- Author of Yahi Archery (1918), A Study of Bows and Arrows (1923), Hunting with the Bow & Arrow, and other important studies that contributed to re-establishing interest in archery in the United States, by proving archery was a vital sport. He was a friend of Ishi and hunting partner of Art Young. Namesake of the Pope and Young Club. [TB Jun/Jul 1998, p.69-72]
• Paul Shafer (1948-1993) -- Bowyer, bowhunter, filled a gland slam of sheep with the bow. [TB A/S 93, pp. 48-52]
• Robert L. (Bob) Stotler (1911-1997) -- Met Howard Hill in 1936 and head bowmaker for Howard Hill Archery for 25 years. He was also Howard's camera man on several trips with Ben Pearson. He and his brother Jim built bows under the Stotler name (Stotler Archery), until shortly before his death. Introduced the Stotler Mid-Nock
• (James) Maurice Thompson (1844-1901) -- Author of Witchery of Archery (1878), which recorded the archery adventures of Maurice and his brother Will and the skills taught to them by Indians. Founder and first president of NAA. See also Archery Quotes.
• Will Henry Thompson (1849-1918) -- The younger brother of Maurice Thompson (and the better archer of the two).
• Arthur (Art) Young (-1935) -- Introduced to archery by Will Compton. Friend of Ishi and hunting partner of Dr. Pope. Namesake of the Pope and Young Club. [See TM Magazine, "Art vs. The Walrus," Apr/May 1996, pp. 48-54; "Art Young's Bows, Jun/Jul 1995, pp.56-60]. 

Contemporary Masters, Historians, and Other Toxophites

• Adams, Don TB F/M 93 p. 59
• Anderson, Dale (Shawnee Traditions) TB Winter 92, pp. 16-23
• Asbell, G. Fred -- President of the Pope &Young Club. Author of several books and video tapes on Instinctive shooting.
• Barwick, Ed (Shawnee Traditions) TB Winter 92, pp. 16-23
• Beck, Ken (Black Widow Custom Bows) TB F/M 1994, pp. 18-23
• Berry, James D. (J.D. Berry Archery), TB A/M 93 pp.55-67
• Bertalan, Dan -- contributor to Traditional Bowhunter Magazine, author of Traditional Bowyers of America
• Brackenbury, Jim (Brackenbury Bows)
• Brigham, Gordon TB J/J 93 p.65
• Bowman, Pete -- founding member of TBM.
• Brown, Don TB J/J 93 p.65
• Brown, Lenny and Beth -- founding members of TBM. Lenny was also the first president.
• Brumm, Jerry (Great Northern Bowhunting Company) TB A/S 1997, pp. 31-48
• Burton, Bob (Whispering Wind Arrows, barreled and footed shafts, laminated hexshaft) TB O/N 1996, pp.102-106
• Cable, Tom (Windstorm Archery) TB J/J 1995 pp. 68-71
• Cardinale, Len [nominated by Robert Leahy]
• Chambers, J.R. -- A TBM member and a WV Dentist. Mentioned in article and shown in photo "Stickbows Go To Africa" in Oct/Nov 1996 Traditional Bowhunter
• Chandler, Don TB J/J 93 p.65
• Chapman, Debbie -- founding member of TBM.
• Chastain, Keith (Wapiti Bows) TB A/S 1996, pp. 88-92
• Clyncke, Marv TB D/J 1997, pp.56-63
• Comstock, Paul --
• Conrads, Tim (T.J.) -- (tradbow@aol.com) Editor/Publisher of Traditional Bowhunter  Magazine
• Cooley, Dick TB J/J 93 p.65, 67
• Cooley, Rick (Dick's wife, first woman in P&Y Club) TB J/J 93 p.65, 67
• Danielson, Arvid (Black Swan Archery) TB J/J 1994 pp.28-33
• Davis, Rob -- A TBM member. Author "Bowfishing for Stingrays" Apr/May 1999 Traditional Bowhunter and author of "Bigger Boat" (bowfishing for sharks in the Chesapeake Bay) Aug/Sep 2000 Traditional Bowhunter
• Dehnel, Randy (Saxon Archery) TB F/M 1996, pp.33-35
• Dishion, Jerry (Stotler Archery) TB F/M 1996, pp. 40-47
• Dolinger, Fred -- founding member of TBM.
• Duclos, Jim (Green Mountain Longbows) TB A/M 1995 pp.28-32
• Duncan, Doug (bowyer, Zebra Longbows) TB O/N 93 p.36-39
• East, Ben TB J/J 93 p.66
• Engel, Marge TB J/J 93 p.64, 66
• Engel, Walter TB J/J 93 p.64
• Fedora, Mike (PA) -- TB F/M 1997, pp.51-60
• Forman, Bill (Great Plains Traditional Bow Company) TB D/J 1997, pp.67-73
• Fowlkes, Bill -- founding member of TBM.
• Garoutte, Jim (Jimbow Archery) TB A/S 93, pp.18-22
• Grieninger, Ralph -- founding member of TBM.
• Groscup, Stacy -- A preacher from Morgantown, WV whose trick shooting includes shooting quarters and aspirins out of the sky! (demonstrated on video The Art of Instinctive Shooting).
• Guthrie, Dave (Appalachian Archery, Sandyville, WV) TB F/M 1995, pp.34-37
• Hambrick, R.L.(Dr.) TB J/J 93 p.66
• Hamm, Jim -- author of Whitetail Tactics with Recurves & Longbows, and Bows and Arrows of the Native Americans.
• Hart, Doug TB J/J 93 p.65
• Hartman, Paul TB F/M 93 p. 59
• Hassenmayer, Bill -- founding member of TBM. See Professional Bowhunters Society ad, "I am the PBS", p. 14 Dec/Jan 1999 Traditional Bowhunter
• Herin, Al -- author of "Native American" regular department in Traditional Bowhunter Magazine, D/J 1996 pp.36-37
• Hoff, Roy TB J/J 93 p.63
• Hoffman, Jim -- PBS Member, President of New York Bowhunters
• Hoyt Jr., Earl (Sky Archery, wife Anne Weber Hoyt, Holt Archery Company) TB J/J 93 p.62, O/N 1995, pp.23-28
• Hulbert, Carl TB J/J 93 p.63, 65
• Hutter, John -- A TBM member. Author "Elk of the Gunnison" in Jun/Jul 1997 Traditional Bowhunter, author "Rendering Fir" in Feb/Mar 1997 Traditional Bowhunter, author "Basics of Leather Work" in Dec/Jan 1996 Traditional Bowhunter
• Jeffery, Owen (Jeffery Archery in 1976, plant manager at Bear Archery 1966, VP of Bear 1968) TB A/S 1995, pp. 17-22
• Joseph, Otts -- founding member of TBM.
• Kissinger, Dave (Primitive Archery Creations, Miffinville PA), TB Summer 92, pp. 50-55 [My first issue of TB Magazine!]
• Kramer, Jerry TB J/J 93 p.64,65
• Lalumiere, Mike (Silent Pond Shafts, ash arrows) TB F/M 1996, pp.16-23
• Linsin, O.E., TB A/M 1996, pp. 19-26
• Lee, Bob (Bob Lee Archery, recurve pioneer, Wing Archery, a member of the national advisory board for the Pope & Young Club) TB J/J 93 p.11-15
• Malpasso, Tony -- founding member of TBM.
• Marshall, Joseph M. (Rosebud Sioux) article A/S 93, pp.23-30
• McDowell, Gibbes TB O/N 93 p.12
• McGlashen, Gene (Stillwater Archery) TB A/S 1994, pp. 44-52
• Mongelli, Mike -- A TBM member. Letter to the editor thanking T.J. & Don for addressing our 7th and 8th TBM Banquets. Dec/Jan 2000, p.14.
• Murphy, Dick TB J/J 93 p.66
• Nitschke, Ray TB J/J 93 p.65
• Nydegger, Nick (Earth Archery) TB O/N 1996, pp. 48-59
• Olson, John (Dr.) TB J/J 93 p.62
• Olson, Lloyd (Dr.) TB J/J 93 p.62
• Palmer, Mike (Palmer Bow Company, worked for; Wing Archery, Bear Archery, Jennings Archery, Ben Pearson Archery) TB A/M 1996, pp.70-77
• Parker, Dave TB J/J 93 p.65
• Parsons, Tom -- founding member of TBM.
• Paxton, Dave (Talon Longbows, Frazier's Bottom WV) TB D/J 1994, pp. 53-58
• Pikula, Emil (bowyer, competitive archer, made arrow points for Fred Bear, Ben Pearson, & Robin Hood Archery) TB A/S 1996 pp. 45-57
• Pitt, Bob TB J/J 93 p.66
• Pope, E.F. TB O/N 93 p.10
• Quillian, Dan (Archery Traditions, Athens GA) TB A/M 1994, pp. 25-31
• Quinn, John -- founding member of TBM.
• Raulin, Dick TB J/J 93 p.68
• Rebello, Antonio (Spanish Paralympic archer) TB O/N 93 p.78
• Reed, Tim (West Virginian) TB O/N 93 p.16
• Richardson, Dave TB A/M 93 pp.19-25 (interview)
• Rook, John (blind hunter) TB O/N 93 p.46-53
• Ropshaw, Pete -- founding member of TBM.
• Samuels, Dr. David (Morgantown, West Virginia) writer for Bowhunter Magazine, [one of my former Wildlife Professors, now retired]
• Schaufler, Don TB O/N 93 p.16
• Schulttz, Ed TB O/N 93 p.16
• Schulz, John -- (American Longbow) student of Howard Hill, author of Hitting 'em Like Howard Hill, bowyer for Shawnee Archery and Howard Hill Archery, TB Oct/Nov 1994, p.27.
• Shepard, Rick (Great Northern Bowhunting Company) TB A/S 1997, pp. 31-48
• Sohm, Mike (Magnus Broadhead) TB J/J 1996 pp.56-60
• Spickler, Gregory Noble -- A TBM member. Article about him in the Spring 1997 issue of Professional Bowhunters Society Magazine (Greg is a local bowyer).
• Stalmaster, Ray TB O/N 93 p.61
• St. Charles, Glenn -- Founder of the Pope & Young Club, archer, author of Billets to Bow and Bows on the Little Delta. Also has republished several out-of-print books and articles of historic value. Former owner of Northwest Archery Company.
• St. Charles, Joe -- (TOXONANA@aol.com) Was curator of the Pope & Young Museum when it was in Seattle, WA. Author of my favorite column in Traditional Bowhunter Magazine called "A Shot From The Past". He is a son of Glenn St. Charles.
• St. Charles, Jay (Pacific Yew Inc.) -- a son of Glenn St. Charles and older brother of Joe St. Charles.
• St. Charles, Suzanne -- owner of Northwest Archery, LLC , daughter of Glenn St. Charles
• Steliga, Mike (Bruin Custom Recurves) TB F/M 1995 pp.66-72
• Strunk, John (bowyer, instructor) TB D/J 1995, pp.33-37
• Taylor, Scott -- A TBM member. Made the cover of Apr/May 1999 Traditional Bowhunter
• Thomas Jr., E. Donnall -- author of Adventuresome Bowman and Longbow Country, hunting editor for Traditional Bowhunter  Magazine. See also TBM 1999 Banquet.
• Thompson, Bob (Zipper Manufacturing, builds Stacy Groscup Signature Takedown, Ravenswood, WV) TB D/J 1996, pp. 69-74
• Vallecorsa, Marrius (bowyer) J/J 1997 pp.90-93
• Vonderhey, William TB O/N 93 p.77, J/J 93 pp 83-84 (News); F/M pp 30-39 (Article)
• Welch, Gerald (Welchman Longbows), Master Bowyer,  TB F/M 93 pp. 58-69
• Wensel, Barry -- Archer, author, guide, instructor, and ramblin' redneck. Leads seminars and has created several videos. [See TB Magazine, Summer 1992, pp.32-36].
• Wensel, Gene -- Archer, author, guide and ramblin' redneck. See Wensel2001.
• Whiffen, Larry (designer of Bodkin broadhead) TB J/J 93 p.63
• Williams, Ronny -- founding member of TBM.

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(c) Gregory M. Bowen