Yep. How can anyone lay claim to being the greatest bowhunter of all time other than the people whose day to day survival depended on their bowhunting skills?
But, if you want to know who I think has had the most impact on today's bowhunting... NOBODY has even come close to equalling Fred Bear as an ambassador for the sport. Lots of guys have taken more P&Y trophies than Fred, but they're all more interested in promoting themselves than anything else. Bear promoted archery and bowhunting and introduced the sport to the masses. (And, as a side bonus, created a market for his products)
Ishi was too old to take care of himself when he came out. If I'm not mistaken, he was the one that taught saxton pope flintknapping. Ishi's archery gear was very unique and it worked fine for him, But Pope said he couldn't make the gear work. I read alot about it but it's a long story that I won't bother telling unless someone asks.
I vote for Chad Weaverand Cujo<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>. Okay I think I buttered them up enough. Chad and Marc are going to talk about picking out a sweet piece of wood for the riser of a Crusader I just ordered.
I think Fred Bear is the man. He was the total archer. He was a great hunter, archer, salesman and promoter of the sport!
Greatest archer?
