Today marks 20 years since Paul Schafer left this Earth. I did not know of him until maybe 10 years ago. I have read everything I could find and watched the videos here on this site many times. He seemed to be an amazing man. I'm really looking forward to the release of the book by Bob Windauer. But for now is there any Tradgangers that have some fond stories they would like to share? God speed Mr. Schafer.
20 years,incredible. Thanks for remember such a giant of the sport.
yeah, time sure does fly by... I never met Paul but talked to him several times during the 80's and early 90's. I still have some of his handwritten letters, brochures, and bow pictures (Kodak was the only thing in those days). Sure wish he was still with us! Great guy!
Thanks for remembering. The fact it's been twenty years astounds me. Paul was one of my best friends. I've pretty much shared all my "Schaf stories" over the years via magazine articles, books, campfires and the internet. He was an amazing person. I recently spent the Christmas holidays in Montana with my daughter. As a stroke of pure luck I happened to bump into Paul's youngest sister, Peggy, in the grocery store. We had a nice visit and I was brought up to speed on some things that were both good and bad since I left Montana. I'm obviously not going to get into personal business here, but it made me realize I still don't understand why he was taken at such an early age when he had so many lives to influence. Time heals but I still miss the man and his friendship. BW
I never knew him but feel like I did through the stories about him. I'm glad he shared his great bow design with the world and Dave was there to carry it on.
:campfire:
Per the stories, truly a specimen Human Being. His legacy has influenced many of us and will likely only grow with time!
Thank you Barry and all the others who have written and shared your relationship with him with all of us.
I wished I could have met him as well.
Kris
Paul inspired me through the writing of the Wensel's. Because of folks like Paul, Gene and Barry, Ron la Clair, Charlie Lamb and a host of others, I continue my journey with a Traditional bow in my hand........ :notworthy: :notworthy:
great post
I can still remember the shock of hearing he had passed away. It is hard to believe it has been 20 years.
D.P.
I'll also add, one of the reasons I own a Silvertip.....took me a while but I finally got one!
Paul sent me a bow on Friday, I called him the following Monday to thank him and tell him how pleased I was. I never reached him then some time that week, Tim Golder from PA told me about the accident.
A month later, I moved to NC. Seems like yesterday
QuoteOriginally posted by The Night Stalker:
Paul sent me a bow on Friday, I called him the following Monday to thank him and tell him how pleased I was. I never reached him then some time that week, Tim Golder from PA told me about the accident.
A month later, I moved to NC. Seems like yesterday
I hope you still have that bow. If you don't, I bet you wish you did.
Recently picked up a Silvertip, that was one of the last bows Paul was working on when he had his accident. Bow was finished by Dave Windauer, bow is everything I had initially heard about them. It is an honor to be carring this bow on my hunting trips,and sorta feels like I have a sort of bond with the man through his bow. :thumbsup:
For those of you experienced with both Paul's and Dave's work, are there any differences in the bows? just curious about the early models compared to the new ones.I know Paul's were not FF, anything else?
I would give anything to have met him ,just to talk hunting and be around him. I think those of you that got to, are better people for knowing him. I still cant find the videos with him in it.
The inscription on my Silvertip reads "Life is good, but hard". Told it was from Mr. Schafer's personal papers. From the accounts I have read of his life, he was a true adventurer. Rest in peace.
I was able to get a custom made one with two sets of limbs a few months before he died. I had the pleasure of talking to him a few times on the phone but never had the pleasure of meeting him in person. I was shocked when I found out he had died. I still have the bow.
My bow burnt up in a house fire January 1996. I shot one dear with it and retired it. I wish I had it, had two sets of limbs, one net camo under glass, and the other snake skinned .
Wanted to by a bow from him, talked several times on the phone but with two young boys, just couldn't afford one....but have one from Dave....
I still have the TBM magazine with him on the cover and the article from when he passed.....
Never saw one of Paul's bows in person...but I'm not sure how much better one could be from what Dave makes!
Lee
Some of my favorite Paul Schafer pics:
(http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/fotoguy58/06capebuff.jpg)
(http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/fotoguy58/34goat_resize.jpg)
(http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/fotoguy58/36bear_resize1.jpg)
Paul was a bowhunting icon for me back in the day. I remember reading on of Barry's stories in Bowhunter magazine back in the 80's and then seeing one of his bows when Gene was carting them around during his Whitetail seminars with Dick Idol. At that point, I started thinking about going back to traditional. It was a sad day when I happened to glance at a magazine rack when Traditional Bowhunter had him on the cover after he died, the first I had heard about his death. That was the first issue I bought of TB. A few months later my son was born and I named him Schafer. In '99 I was able to buy a Schafer bow from Dave and 3 years ago I handed it down to my son. I miss Paul as much as i miss Fred Bear
VT'er:
It was Barry Wensel who influenced me to get into traditional archery as well....from the classic video "Bowhunting October Whitetails". At the end of the video the credits mentioned Schafer Silvertip bows, what Barry shot at the time...which is when after shooting a Bear Kodiak for a while...I called Paul to talk about a 'Tip...so, Barry, if you read this.....a big thanks to you....!
The TBM cover from 1993
(http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/fotoguy58/IMG_1159-1_zpsa59022d4.jpg)
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Lee Vivian
I wasn't into archery until after his passing. I read everything I can on the history of this lifestyle, and he has been one of my heroes for a long time. So much so, that when my wife and I welcomed our first son into the world last summer, we named him Schafer Curtis.
I ordered a "tip" from Paul and later acquired the prototype of the Silver Ghost or something like that made by Paul for Martin to produce, I think. I didn't realize it until He called one night wanting the serial number for "accounting" purposes. I used the Silvertip he made to kill a gator back around 1990, which may have been the first legal gator killed by a trad bow in modern times, maybe. Paul was excited when I called and had me send him a pic of the gator. Who knows maybe it's floating around somewhere. The handle eventually broke on that bow, and a few years after the handle was replaced a limb broke. My original Schafer is now an original Windauer, one of the first I might add. I still have the original limbs, broken as they may be, as I can't seem to part with them. Perhaps I'll sacrifice them to a good fire with good friends around who can remember the man.
That would be such a great thing to have met him. A great way to honor Paul is to take animals with the bow he is responsible for creating! My Schafer is one heck of a fantastic bow. Lets see some hero shots with some Schafer's fellas
Here's to you Paul, God speed...
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/frassettor/turkey4.jpg)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/frassettor/DSC00987.jpg)
R.I.P Paul. Thanks for all you did, to make this great sport part of what it is. One of the true icons. God bless.
I couldn't be more proud to be named after him. Thanks Dad.
Schafer
Ive hung onto the TBM magazine with Paul on the cover and put it in a plastic sleeve. Looking forward to the book. Two decades have passed, he is not forgotten.
QuoteOriginally posted by Lee Viv:
Some of my favorite Paul Schafer pics:
(http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/fotoguy58/36bear_resize1.jpg)
Without trying to hijack this thread, it should be noted that though Paul is the man shown on the left side of the photo, the archer that killed this bear is Bart Schleyer, shown on the right side of this photo. For those that don't know, Bart's story is every bit as much intriguing as Paul's. see:
http://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/mark-t-sullivan/2007/09/last-wild-man and http://www.heartlandoutdoorsman.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6895
I shoot a Silvertip that was made by Paul. The bow was not built for me, I acquired from the original owner. I always tell the younger generation of bowhunters to check out Paul Schafer online, read about what a true outdoorsman and hunter was really like, none of the commercialization or hype surrounding some of today's "hunting experts" RIP Paul Schafer! Thanks for the bow and the memories!
Creekwood, you are correct...Bart shot the bear while Paul filmed it....the video is amazing! Bart's story is poignant as well. In fact, three of those four in the picture are no longer with us due to tragic accidents/encounters.
I would have Loved to share a after the Hunt ,Beer with that Man!So Young,So sad an ending!
Barry, Can you post a Pic, of Paul's Bow/Bow's,that you have?Sort of like looking at the Holly Grail of Trad Hunting.
Awesome post Gentlemen.
QuoteOriginally posted by duncan idaho:
For those of you experienced with both Paul's and Dave's work, are there any differences in the bows? just curious about the early models compared to the new ones.I know Paul's were not FF, anything else?
Dave learned from Paul, and kept the bow evolving just as Paul would have. I've owned/own quite a few. Made by both.
Paul taught Dave well, and Dave kept going.
I had the #10 serial# Silvertip. It was made by Paul for Paul Brunner before they had their differences. The inscription read" May the wind always be to your BACK!". It was named the Running Ram for a hunt they had between them. It was a whopping 86# @ 27".
When Paul passed, I gave the bow to Dave W.
Years later, my friend's husband was fighting cancer and they were broke. Dave and Beth auctioned the bow and gave the money to the family in need. I'll never forget that.
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/10Silvertip001.jpg) (http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/10Silvertip002.jpg) (http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/10Silvertip004.jpg)
My favorite and go to bows. Wish I could get one made by Paul but my two made by Dave are top notch.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Bows/Copy1ofIMG_3008.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Bows/Copy1ofIMG_3006.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Hunts/DSCN0654.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/comanche/Hunts/DSCN0665.jpg)
Nice Bows Gentelman! But Danny ,,--That is a SHOW STOPPER!I bet you will never let that bow, breath the Mountain Air?(LOL)I know I could not hunt with it,like you!
I dont believe that I would want something that ornate,for fear of Scratching it!Awesome Gentleman! Keep them coming guy's,it wont get Old!
Who own's Paul's personal Bow? Wife/Son/Dave?
Sorry to say I've only got two of Paul's bows left. I lost a total of six he made for me in a fire I had in '99. The two I have left I've pretty much retired. I don't know how to post pictures and I don't have any handy around here anyway. The one bow is a 60" takedown that I took on a flight to a hunt in Texas. When I arrived my bow case had tire tracks going across it compliments of Delta Airlines. Belief it or not the limbs both made it but the riser cracked under the pressure. It's not a really bad crack and I could probably still shoot the bow but I don't dare. I have two sets of limbs for it. The one is numbered #957 and 70 lbs. @ 28" with rattlesnake skins on the front of the limbs and green universal camo cloth under clear glass on the back. The other set of limbs is marked #1014 and #71 lbs. @ 28". It's the same both back and front with brown camo cloth/netting under clear glass. The inscription reads " 60" Silvertip T.D. by Schafer Custom made for a special friend Barry Wensel. Thanks for all your support. May your arrows fly true". I hunted with it for years and I killed a pile of stuff with it. It was always one of my favorite bows he made for me. The other one is really special. I won't get into it as it's a really long story which I believe I already wrote about on TG several years ago. Maybe someone can find it in the archives but I don't even remember what the thread was titled. I also wrote an entire article on the bow for PBS magazine several years ago. Paul made the bow for himself as a personal "camp bow" as a back-up in case someone needed one in camp. He made it at "only" 70 lbs. at 28" so "anyone" could use it. I had to laugh at that which was pure Schafer. The funny part is everyone who pulls the thing seems to think it's a lot more than 70 lbs. I've never tested it but I'm sure it's more like #76 or #78 lbs. It's pretty stout. I won't get into the details here but the gentlemen who happened to have the bow at the time was mass murdered in the middle of the night along with his wife and daughters by his own son. The son was convicted and now doing life without parole. Through a stroke of pure luck I was given the bow by a mutual friend of mine and Paul's named Rosie Roseland. I hunted with the bow and killed several animals with it since. The last was a 160" 5x5 whitetail on 11/16/08. Right after that I decided to retire the bow although it was still good to go. It is one of my most prized possessions. BW
:campfire:
"He made it,at "only" 70#" so anyone could use it"LOL,Yea Right! Was Paul a proponent of high poundage Barry? Seem's fitting, that a Legend,lived a legacy with a pair of Legends!Thanks Barry!
QuoteOriginally posted by T Mowery:
"He made it,at "only" 70#" so anyone could use it"LOL,Yea Right! Was Paul a proponent of high poundage Barry? Seem's fitting, that a Legend,lived a legacy with a pair of Legends!Thanks Barry!
From what I have read about Paul, he was as strong as a bull :readit: , not only that but the nicest guy you would want to meet
My post was not questioning Paul's strength, only the Shaffer Humor of him thinking that 70+ # would fit everyone! Sorry ,if my question was challanging the notion> I understand his sense of Humor! Thank's!
QuoteOriginally posted by T Mowery:
My post was not questioning Paul's strength, only the Shaffer Humor of him thinking that 70+ # would fit everyone! Sorry ,if my question was challanging the notion> I understand his sense of Humor! Thank's!
No problem, didn't take it either way bud. My reply was just a "add on", to what you were saying :thumbsup:
I have a awesome print by Andrew Warrington as a main peace in my trophy room. It is sketches of 6 awesome pics of Paul with
Animals he shot.
I also was lucky enough to have my first buck displayed in the Traditional Bowhunter issue that Paul displayed the cover of. I just sure wish that that issue was just a cool picture and not in memory of his life. So sad to lose him so young.
:pray:
If you want to read more about Paul as well as his close friend Bart Schleyer, we have tribute articles about both men on the Brothers of the Bow website. (sponsor)
Really enjoyed the articles. Thank you.
Although I did not get to meet Paul in person I did get to talk on the phone a number of times throughout the course of ordering 2 bows he made for me 1st one was a TD and the 2nd a One-Piece.I picked his brain a bit about his shooting and I quote " He said he practiced out to 80 yards that way there closer shots seemed easy" and he shot off an elevated rest and used vanes on his arrows.Dam shame he left us so early !!!!!!!!!
never met him but wrote him a letter back in the day asking for a brochure. he wrote back and sent a brochure with his letter. the letter was very informative and educational,especially in terms of being a beginning bow Hunter and philosophy, ethics, etc (I had asked him a few questions in my letter)
anyway, being a broke teenager I never was able order one from him and it's a regret of mine. I have several of Dave's and have been fortunate to acquire 4 of Paul's over the years, 3 t/d's and a 1pc. I shot his bow the other day in his memory..
Just a side note to Paul Schafers brochure and a curious one at that. I asked Paul to send me some info on his bows and he sent me a short note and a brochure. On the inside flap were some hero shots of different people with kills taken with the Silvertips. In one corner was a picture of Paul Brunner and in red ink over the photo he had a big ZERO with a slash thru it! Who knows what it meant exactly but I often wonder if alot of his brochures went out that way? Anyone else remember that? I also wish I had ordered an original Silvertip...
Does anyone know if the Great Falls airport still have the Paul Schafer display?
I've always been intrigued by the stories of Paul Schafer, and once I made the switch to totally traditional, I made it a goal to try to find an original Silvertip by Paul.
I bought one made by Dave Windauer early last year, and took two does with it last fall, and by total luck (searched Craigslist one Friday), I found one in Texas that was listed. Called and talked to a gentleman that had purchased two original Silvertips years before, had hunted with them (took a mountain grizzly, moose and mountain lion with it). He had misplaced one of the risers, but sold me the other riser and two sets of limbs for a ridiculously low price, as he wanted someone that would appreciate the history to own it. I've been practicing with it, but as it draws at a full 73# with the heavy set of limbs, it will be this fall before I hunt with it... :)
I'll scan the pics of the lion/grizzly/moose and post if I get a chance.
RIP Paul - and thanks to everyone for sharing the stories.
Yes his heads are still at the air port as of sept 2012 great to see the display THnaks Shane
True legend of bowhunting.One of my goals is to own a bow made by Paul.With classic camo limbs of course.
Gene Wensel was kind enough to email me a picture of Paul he had, and gave me permission to post it.
Paul was an outstanding athlete, and in the Montana State HOF.
Thanks, Gene!
(http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy355/fotoguy58/0403081821a_zpsdbf6ca91.jpg)
TTT
Rest in peace brother hunter.
I was not shooting recurves when Mr. Schafer died but I remember it. Probably from the writings of some here. It was obvious he was a bowhunter's bowhunter.
R.I.P. Paul. :notworthy:
I started shooting recurves in 1982 at 16. I remember Paul was one of my first Idols. Along with the Wensels. It was cool because the Wensels were from near my area and my brother and I are twins. Reading about those guys were a big part of my childhood. RIP Paul.
Cool thread. Paul's story certainly influenced my trad journey.
And..there are NO finer people than The Windauers' for carrying on Pauls' Dream..Hats off to Dave, Beth, and family!
Never met the man. We are all poorer for not having him with us to share his craft. I was in Germany when he passed and was relatively new to Trad. His stories and those written by others relecting on his life have molded many of my thoughts and beliefs. From all accounts Paul was an amazing football player, state champion wrestler and truely humble man.
:campfire:
I, also was inspired by Barry Wensel, his hunting ability and his Silvertip recurve.
So, I ordered a Silvertip recurve from Screaming Eagle traditional catalog. It was described as the "Cadillac of bows" in the catalog.
Long story short, the bow was never delivered.
I later was told that Paul had died in an accident. I felt so bad for him and his family. I can't believe it's been 20 years.
I shoot a Schafer Silvertip recurve today and often think of Paul Schafer.
May he rest in peace.
I continue to be amazed at the level of accomplishments that he was able to achieve. I am also so impressed by his character and the stories you hear about his nature as a person. His death rings really true from me this year. I am turning 44 in March. Paul Schafer died at the age of 44 in the accident. Gives me a different perspective on what all he accomplished! One person I would have liked to hunt with.