Who's Gonna fill their shoes?

Ok, I know the title to this post might be a bit cheezy but I'm a big fan of 70's and 80's country music. I was listening to George Jones "who's gonna fill their shoes" earlier today and it got me thinking....who is going to fill the archery shoes in this current generation? We have the all time greats like Fred Bear, Glenn St. Charles, Art Young, Saxton Pope, and Howard Hill. Those archers truly promoted the pursuit with archery tackle and brought into what it is today. But.....who will be "that guy" for the current crop of bowhunters?

The top of my list would be Barry and Gene Wensel, Ted Nugent (yes, you heard that right), and Chuck Adams. Besides that, we really don't have any great role models in the bow hunting community anymore.

I'm sure some of you reading will be thinking of Michael Waddell, Will Primos or any other of a host of tv personalities. Archie Nesbitt and Steve Kobrine are good ambassadors but they are able to hunt more places than people of a normal income bracket ever could. I just don't see it. While they might promote bowhunting by coming up with a cheezy slogan or tagline.....I don't think of them as truly pioneers like the generation of old.

Are there any "heroes" left in bowhunting? Am I missing something? Please don't take this post as a negative bash but I really do wonder who will be known in history as great leaders in bowhunting for this time period. Will there be any?

Some decent ones out there today, but I don't think anyone of the ones today or later will even reach up to the knees of the great old timers we had before.
Today it has become to much about business and horn porn.
I have been getting so tired of it, so I prefer to watch some home made videos on Youtube where they shoot a doe or 2 instead of all the pros with monster bucks they often shoot in the guts, and then claim to have made a great shot on.....

I agree totally. Something is getting lost in the "bowhunting industry".

I would say all of us who still hold hunting near and dear.I for one dont need anyone to look up to.There are more good guys or women for that matter teaching people and kids about archery hunting.The sport is going strong and i for one which all would get credit just not a few who do shows.So many get credit for being great hunters out there when at best there avg. I dont want my son getting into the sport because of some guy on tv.I want him to get into because he enjoys it and because we get to spend time doing it.

I don't like Michael Waddell. Randy Ulmer is alright. Archie Nesbitt and Steve Kobrine are very professional.

Tom

You have a good point...

The time and money it takes to get into the sport...They have to be almost photo genetic and be able to speak in sentences...what you are talking about is the WOW factor...Who will generate it to be able to influence other to get interested.

While the names you list are proficient in the Archers field...do any of them have the WOW factor...Not really.

I'm thinking one of the organizations like DSC or SCI or NAHC should be be looking to find a competent young individual who they can bring into the realm...like grow your own.

Disney does it all the time with young girls and boys...Miley ring a bell.

Music labels do it all the time with new groups...

the Golfing industry does it all the time...

Boxing does it all the time...

corporations and individuals bank roll individual and groups and school them to produce the results that they are looking for. Making there money when they become big.

Well, this may be a touchy subject, but honestly, I think there are plenty of archery heroes out there, they are just not as visible - let me explain.

I personally have met Gene Wensel, Ted Nugent and Chuck Adams, but none of them quite have that Wow factor that James mentioned above. Unfortunately Ted may actually have too much of it. That said all of these guys are great guys and would do anything for the sport in my opinion, but the sports/past times mentioned above (by James) all have much more $$$$ backing them.

That's not to say that there aren't $$$ backing up guys like Michael Waddell, but as the father of a young little girl, it's amazing where you see Miley's face - she's everywhere - Walmart, the mall, the internet - everywhere - and my daughter wants everything from the pajamas to the lunch box. My son on the other hand, who knows who Michael Waddell is, has met Chuck Adams also and loves bowhunting, doesn't have to have that Bone Collector T-shirt. He wants a new bow, new knife, binos, etc. He's a little more practical (as I expect most archers are). The archery industry just does not have this kind of exposure anymore.

That's not to say there aren't archery heroes out there, they just aren't as visible as they used to be. They are the local guys, who take the time at a local archery range to help a youngster who is struggling, the guy that sets up a youth bow for a neighbor on Christmas Eve so he can give it to his kid the next day, the guy who spends several Sundays each winter teaching archery to the local 4H kids, the guys sitting in the archery shooting station at the local sportsman's club youth day in the summer - these are the current archery heroes in my opinion.

Just my $0.02.

nd

Originally Posted by ndbwhnter

Well, this may be a touchy subject, but honestly, I think there are plenty of archery heroes out there, they are just not as visible - let me explain.

I personally have met Gene Wensel, Ted Nugent and Chuck Adams, but none of them quite have that Wow factor that James mentioned above. Unfortunately Ted may actually have too much of it. That said all of these guys are great guys and would do anything for the sport in my opinion, but the sports/past times mentioned above (by James) all have much more $$$$ backing them.

That's not to say that there aren't $$$ backing up guys like Michael Waddell, but as the father of a young little girl, it's amazing where you see Miley's face - she's everywhere - Walmart, the mall, the internet - everywhere - and my daughter wants everything from the pajamas to the lunch box. My son on the other hand, who knows who Michael Waddell is, has met Chuck Adams also and loves bowhunting, doesn't have to have that Bone Collector T-shirt. He wants a new bow, new knife, binos, etc. He's a little more practical (as I expect most archers are). The archery industry just does not have this kind of exposure anymore.

That's not to say there aren't archery heroes out there, they just aren't as visible as they used to be. They are the local guys, who take the time at a local archery range to help a youngster who is struggling, the guy that sets up a youth bow for a neighbor on Christmas Eve so he can give it to his kid the next day, the guy who spends several Sundays each winter teaching archery to the local 4H kids, the guys sitting in the archery shooting station at the local sportsman's club youth day in the summer - these are the current archery heroes in my opinion.

Just my $0.02.

nd

Very well said.

Yeah I kinda agree with all the comments made. I also think that anything to do with hunting is taking less 'limelight' in these days of 'political correctness'. The days when Saxton, Fred etc were out in the field, hunting was an honourable pastime...it's just not viewed that way much anymore!
However, even those 'greats' had skeletons in their closets! The PH (now deceased) who hunted with Howard Hill when he 'shot' his Elephant in Mozambique in the 60's had quite a lot to say!
The electronic media also has a role in the availability of all these movie clips etc whereas the greats mostly just had written stories!
I'm not decrying them their dues, but one wonders how would one get famous in this day and age and what would be the criteria for judging them?!

You guy have to realize that since the days of ( Fred Bear, Glenn St. Charles, Art Young, Saxton Pope, and Howard Hill) bow hunting has grown by leaps and bounds, as far as the number of people doing it. When these guys started, and I vaguely remember some of their years, but, no one in my area really bowhunted and it was almost unheard of in the schools of kids or parents even owning bows.

The pros and cons (both) I think came from the commercializing of bowhunting, your Team realtree, mossy oak, and knight and hale to name a few, and I know there are alot more out there. I think it it fantastic what they have done, but no one will ever fill the shoes of the originals that started the sport, because it was not that popular of a hunting technique when they were doing it.

BUT, in my opinion, I love "uncle Ted", and I think the Realtree hunting staff are fantastic, and you can't argue with the success that Chuck Adams has had.

Heroes and pioneers in bow hunting is unfortunately a dying breed, IMHO no one today has the class and high moral standard archers like Hill and Fred Bear had. They were Legends...

Originally Posted by INGOZI

Heroes and pioneers in bow hunting is unfortunately a dying breed, IMHO no one today has the class and high moral standard archers like Hill and Fred Bear had. They were Legends...

Eish I'm on thin ice here, but let's just say that you never got to hear about their immoral sides! Hill didn't and Adams wouldn't talk of their ooopsies! They're only human! Not everything works out perfectly all the time and like everyone, we don't like to highlight our mistakes and failures - most especially when you're a high profile individual and it may cast you in a poor light!

BUT YES! There just seemed to be more 'honour' in the old days!

Originally Posted by Ole Bally

Eish I'm on thin ice here, but let's just say that you never got to hear about their immoral sides! Hill didn't and Adams wouldn't talk of their ooopsies! They're only human! Not everything works out perfectly all the time and like everyone, we don't like to highlight our mistakes and failures - most especially when you're a high profile individual and it may cast you in a poor light!

BUT YES! There just seemed to be more 'honour' in the old days!

Absolutely, but I am sure that as is the case with most older gentleman, they were more honest, genuine and after the greater good than most of today's high profile bow hunters. These days it seems to be more about endorsing products, hardcore rock music and fame than about the sport itself. But there are those whom I respect not so much for what they have killed and what they have accomplished but for who they are as hunters, bow hunters like Chuck Adams and Cameron Hanes, both of which are strictly fair chase hunters. Another man whom I have the greatest respect and admiration for is Peter Flack, although not a bow hunter, he embodies what I feel most modern day hunters have neglected to pay attention to, that by being a hunter one is or at least should be a conservationist, and that one should always, always respect the animal you hunt and hunt it in such a manner as to challenge yourself. But yes you are right, we all are flawed, I agree that even Fred Bear and venerable Mr Hill also had their faults.

My bowhunting heros are my partner Don, who has enviable skills but will never ever take a questionable shot no matter how big the animal is , and my daughter Amanda who loves the chase and all that goes with it. These are the people who inspire me.
The celebrity hunters on TV and film sometimes do well in showing their love of bowhunting and sometimes are nothing more than product endorsers. I enjoy watching Fred Eichler for his pure joy. Others inspire me to want to travel and see new places and animals.
Each of us has our own ideas about what we want out of life and out of hunting. The bowhunting pioneers don't have to be alive to inspire us and we don't have to like everything about other bowhunters to take something good from their actions or personality.
As far as older gentleman being more honest and genuine, They didn't live under the microscope that our modern "celebrities " live under.
I don't disagree with anything anyone has said on this subject, I just want others to take inspiration from this buffet of hunters we have available to us.
"my" 2 cents
Cheers, Mike

I agree Fred and Michelle Eichler are the real deal. I have met them and thought they are really geniune. They have not forgotten, what hard work and hunting are about.

How could anyone not appreciate the following bowhunters? Guys like Richardo Longoria, Gary Bogner, Byron Sadler. Steve Korbine, Archie Nesbitt, and Chuck Adams have had abundant world wide experiences, and they take the time to share those experience with the rest of us whenever possible. These guys are more than media hype, they are the real deal! I have had the pleasure to personally meet all but Byron Sadler. Each has given me information freely. Steve has killed over three hundred different critters in Africa. I don't know about you, but that sure wows me! These guys are setting the bar in a time when setting the bar is difficult. Fred Bear hunted Alaska when a non-resident tag cost a couple hundred bucks. Moreover and then, the sky was pretty much the limit as to what you could kill as far as quantity and quality. Sure the fathers were unique, but the above mentioned men are just as unique. They are unique in a much more challenging atomsphere. Who among us could possibly question their dedication to conservation?

I believe hunting gets a bad rap. In the media, news, etc. they will often say a "hunting rifle" or a "hunting knife" was used to kill someone. I am a bow hunter only, I don't gun hunt. We have personally met Rick and Julie Krueter and they are very down to earth people. We have also met Michael Waddell, T-bone & Nick. They are nice guys but too much about the "trophy". Fred Eichler is just fun to watch because he gets such joy out of the sport.
My two heroes are my husband and my late father-in-law. Stretch is a great bow hunter, works with youth for turkey hunting, and has been very patient with me as I continue to learn how to hunt and shoot my bow better.
I think we have to all be willing to step up to the plate and promote bow hunting in our towns, cities and states. WE are the future of bow hunting!!!

For what it's worth, the new heroes to the up and coming generation and in fact the current generation should be the fathers, mothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters that love to bow hunt or just love archery. Computers, video games, too much tv all take future hunters away from the sport. Introduce someone to archery, then hunting. Yes new people may not want to sit and wait as long as you do they may not want to practice as long but you have to start somewhere. We the hunters are the heroes. We can show children what real hunting is like. You don't always get a 150 class deer, and there many days on the stand that a real hunter never sees a deer. TV makes it look like all you have to do is get in a blind and in 30 min. you will have a wall hanger. So we the American Hunters have to step up and be a hero to someone.
Thanks/Randy

Originally Posted by PBPD83

For what it's worth, the new heroes to the up and coming generation and in fact the current generation should be the fathers, mothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters that love to bow hunt or just love archery. Computers, video games, too much tv all take future hunters away from the sport. Introduce someone to archery, then hunting. Yes new people may not want to sit and wait as long as you do they may not want to practice as long but you have to start somewhere. We the hunters are the heroes. We can show children what real hunting is like. You don't always get a 150 class deer, and there many days on the stand that a real hunter never sees a deer. TV makes it look like all you have to do is get in a blind and in 30 min. you will have a wall hanger. So we the American Hunters have to step up and be a hero to someone.
Thanks/Randy

"BRAVO", truer words have never been spoken "BRAVO"

So we the American Hunters have to step up and be a hero to someone.

So then, does this exclude bow hunters outside America? You're spot on Randy, however, all of us need to think beyond America and deer hunting.

I do not like the inclination that money is inheritly evil in this conversation (those that have verses the have nots). Money is generally given to someone for their performance of a particlar task(s)...whether it's PHing, bowhunting, or throwing footballs. If a person's performance, on all levels, is subpar, do they get paid? Naturally, the answer is no! When I see reward for good performance, I'm inspired to perform better myself. What makes Payton Manning a football great? Perhaps it's because he throws a football better than any man out there-among other things-like reading a defense! He represents the epitome of hard work and dedication. For 14 years he gave this to his team and his community. Why should he not be considered (as a one percenter) one of the greatest football players to ever play the game? I'm not buying the, 'if they're of average income, then and only then they're a hero.'

Has anyone looked into the criteria necessary for the Bow Hunter's Hall of Fame? Maybe their criteria could be employed as a heroes baseline.