One of the things that draws me to traditional archery is the history . In 1978 the Old bowhunter died, Chester Stevenson. He was considered by many one of the best bowhunters of his time . Did any of you ever meet Chester? Are read about the man .
Is there anyone building bows like his today???Im exploring his history ...this is cool stuff...I want to find all the books and info on his life and times..any input would be appreicated...Marco#78...
The Old Bowhunter by Nick Nott is a great book. Every modern archer should read it.
Thanks jeff...I wonder if any of his magazine articles are still around , Id love to own one...where can I get me lefty longbow like Chester's with the horn tips..mark#78
I have actually seen several of Chet Stevenson original bows broadheads and arrows.I know a collecter whom had one of Chets bows for sale sometime back...Not sure but would be happy to check and see if it's still for sale..Jay StCharles was makeing some horn tipped yew wood LB's that were looking pretty sweet.As well as Ted Fry at Raptor Archery..bowdoc
I read his book a few months back. It just made me want to head into the bush with bow in hand and pack on back.
Oh and as I collect arrows I'd give my 3 drawing fingers to have one of his arrows. With all the quivers in his den surely there must be one kicking around with my name on it!!!
AK.
Yes sir Id love to have one of his bows for sure ,or a arrow...its very interesting ..thanks guys... gets my juices flowing LOL..marco#78
There was a very interesting (and somewhat controversial) thread on the *********** a couple years ago about Chester Stevenson. Archery historian Cliff Huntington (Liquid Amber) has done quite a lot of research regarding Stevenson and his role in bowhunting history.
By the way, the topic is still there if anyone would like to "search" and read it.
Probably my all time favorite book !!
...very inspiring in his bowbuilding and hunting.
Absolutely one of my all time favorite books. He didn't look that big, but his stories talked about shooting a 100# bow!
I've always wondered if his son survived WWII? Kind of left vague in his book.
Dave
I know Cliff...got talk to him...thanks mark
A while back, I bought a huge bow of old archery/bowhunting magazines on the classifieds here. They ranged from the 40's to the 60's, and to my surprise, a lot of them contain articles by Chet Stevenson. Great reading, to say the least.
hey Marco, I've read the book about 3 times. I also read the *********** thing too. It does'nt change my opinion on him in any way. he set standards and also opened doors for the future of bowhunting. A guy that will hunt anything with a bow is a true- blue bowhunter, he was a perfect example. reading the book makes you want to grab a bunch of blunt tipped arrows and make the tree bark fly in the woods. purdy good stuff.
Billy
Billy , well said my friend...great to msee ya on here to, buddy! thanks mark#78
Having read Hill's books, and fought off the urge, Stevensen's book (edited by Nott) was the proverbial straw that broke the proverbial camel's back for me - after reading it, I told my wife that I felt compelled to experience the straight-end yew longbow, and, bless her, she agreed to let me get one!
I think I have to start sitting my wife next to yours Ben!!
(Oh and all's well over here mate. Haven troubles with getting onto Ozbow)
Must be an arrow of his about the place somewhere...HINT.....HINT!
AK
I'am working on sneeking over to a collecters place and try to get some pics of a couple items.He's out of town right now...but I will keep at it....bowdoc
Brad Merkel aka Little Tree makes static recurves like Mr. Stevensons, they are extremely nice bows to boot.
Cody
contact info Cody???please..ty marco...Ill do search LOL.Cody all Ive seen are Chester's Longbows...
Marco....try to find some old "Archery" magazines from about 1942 forward...."Ye Sylvan Archer" prior to that. The latter is available in book form and you can probably find them through abebooks.com.
George, thanks ...its so cool reading about the Bowhunters that came before us...thanks again...Id love to read his articles! mark
I have a very good friend in Oregon that several years ago said he had a box full of old "Archery" magazines and if I did not take them they were going to the dump. To my suprise the mailing lables were Chet Stevenson, B.G. Thompson & Bill Stweetland. No way those were going to the dump. I have enjoyed many winter nights reading articles by Chet. And last year I added one of his kill arrows to my arrow collection.
Bob
Bob, if ya ever want to part with some for small fee...ya know Id be ur new best friend! :)
ttt for roger
I just got home from a turkey hunt and was thinking of ordering the book about Chetster Stevenson. You guys convinced me that I should.
I ordered 2 books today , One to give to newbie!!!this is great stuff!!!!!!!! :wavey: :thumbsup:
I own two of his arrows as well as some old photos he took, printed, and hand-painted of some buddies in a now defunct archery club. I'm also fortunate enough to live in the town he did and be able to hunt some of his old haunts (I call it "Chet's Place"). the hunting isn't very good there now due to the enviro-wackos halting the logging in the area. Still a beautiful place to wander though.
I've found remnants of things that lead me to believe it was the hunting camp/cabin he spoke of where his crazy buddy wanted to kill a bear with his knife in the Brock Basin area. That'll be in a future article.
If you want a horn tipped yew bow, give John Strunk in Tillamook, Oregon a call. You'll not find a finer yew bow.
Jerry Gowins
Nick Nott got me started in archery by giving me an old bow and a copy of the book he edited. If you want to get a new person interested, giving him that book will do it! Good idea bayoulongbowman!
Ron
Jerry and Ron and everyone that has commented on this topic my sincre thanks , really ...one of my favorite things is reading about bowhunting history , archer's past...the bow woods, the craft the arrows...and the characters that lived bowhunting , and to the fullest ...to all the younger bowhunters , go for it...now...any stories on the subjuect are most appreicated...it a good thing, God Bless you all ....a archer pal...Mark :)
I'm going to have to see this arrow collection one day Bob!
Now hear this... if anyone wants to part with one of Mr Stevenson's old hunting arrows...I'M YOUR MAN!
:pray:
AK.
I received my copy and haven't been able to put it down. Great reading about times gone by.
I have all seven 'Ye Sylvan Archer' reprint books from the St.Charles Legends of the Longbow series. There are lots of articles scattered through those pages. Below a list of the books for you:
Ye Sylvan Archer. – Facsimile 1993 in DAVIS, J.E. (Ed.): Legends of the Longbow (Derrydale Press).
Vol I: Ye Sylvan Archer May 1927 – Dec. 1929
Vol II: Ye Sylvan Archer Jan. 1930 – Dec. 1931
Vol III: Ye Sylvan Archer Jan. 1932 – Oct. 1933
Ye Sylvan Archer. – Facsimile 1994 in DAVIS, J.E. (Ed.): Legends of the Longbow (Derrydale Press).
Vol IV: Ye Sylvan Archer Dec. 1935 – Dec. 1937
Vol V: Ye Sylvan Archer Jan. 1938 – Dec. 1939
Vol VI: Ye Sylvan Archer Jan. 1940 – Dec. 1941
Vol VII: Ye Sylvan Archer Jan. 1942 – Dec. 1943
If you have questions about a specific article (known date and issue) I might be able to look it through for you. But it would be to much to flipp through all the many thousand pages just so ...
thanks Falk...love ur broadhead collection!!! thats awesome bud!! Mark#78
I'd love to read this book. Is it still available? If so, where would I find it? Thanks.
CJ
ThreeRivers, as well as other places sell it.
Some years back, this was the book that got me back into trad archery. I have read it countless times.
The person that goes through this book, that fascinates me, is his buddy, "Grover", a logger and bowhunter. Seems like one of those real skinny, real strong guys. seems to have died fairly young, heart attack.
I did a search and found an e-mail for Chet Jr., and traded a couple of mails with him. He told me the house had been sold long ago, and the "den" is no more. (not a surprise, but sad to hear)
Also, some years back, I contacted Ted at Raptor Archery who (as I recall) has a Stevenson bow, and was more than willing to build that type of static recurve. He might be worth contacting if interested.
I marvel at the free time these guys seem to have enjoyed, and it seems that a deer, or bear was behind every tree!
Needless to say, if you have not read it, go buy it!
me too.. marco