cool story,thanks for sharing

Nice story and photo.  I'd love to have 10% of Fred Bears hunting adventures.

Thanks for the feather drawing, printed it out...now I need a burner.

Gary what a great thread, I am sure it will be quite a moment when you use and shoot a deer or some game with these new arrows you made. Fred Bears spirit is still with us.

great story. you are a blessed man.......

You're right Blaine, I have been blessed in many ways. Like many my initial introduction into bowhunting was by way of an old Bear Grizzly recurve bought in the 60s.  In the late 70s I was briefly caught up in the "compound craze" which was fun for a while, but lacked something that at the time I couldn't quite put my finger on.  My re-initiation into "traditional bowhunting" came when I first met Byron Ferguson who built me a longbow and demonstrated how much fun I'd been missing by not seeing my arrow in flight, not to mention that feeling of accomplishment when you hit your mark by way of brain and muscle, etc.  The work I do in the bowhunting world, art and Webwork, has allowed me to meet some interesting people. Gene and Barry Wensel, Byron Ferguson, and one of our unsung, great woodsman - Jerry Simmons, are among my good friends and hunting companions. The Mitten brothers are also included among my group of bowhunting buddies.  You won't find better folks to share a camp with. Finally, I've met nothing but good people through this website, all willing to share their passion with others on the site, newcomers and "old timers" like myself alike.

The style of feather is very close to the old Ben Pearson style.  I did save that and will try it.  Thanks.

I think it is, and of course Fred, like many of us today, shot variations of the basic shield shape over the years.  The one in the photo happens to be an example of what he was shooting in the 70s and early 80s.  I've seen his quiver filled with arrows featuring red and yellow fletchings of this particular shape during that time period. Needless to say, if you want to shoot a feather shaped exactly like one Fred used, then this is at least ONE example that's truly authentic.  I was there when he burned it, handed it to me, and talked about why he liked it . . . and it's all captured on an old VHS video tape.  All I did was trace the feathers from that arrow.

Thanks for sharing! Very nice of you to share!

Cool story, thanks.

If you could somehow convert that VHS to digital that would be nice. And post it for history buffs and Bear enthusiasts to enjoy.

To have known Fred Bear is a unique treasure indeed.

Thanks for posting.

gary, how tall is the high point on that papa bear feather shape?

I do need to get it converted Charles, maybe to DVD before the tape wears out.  The tape is so old that the picture tries to roll now and then but I have 90% ot it still intact.  I had Fred spin a yarn while my wife had the camera on.  He told a story on his old hunting buddy Bob Munger that I'd heard a dozen times, in fact, Fred secretly told me where the story really came from and how he had - shall-we-say "modified it" over the years.:^)

Not sure Rob, I've never measured it, but if you print out the graphic I posted earlier at 100% it will print actual size. It's a 5" feather.  I'll try to check on the height.

Thanks for sharing what so many of us would love to have experienced.

Each and every person that I have met that has a personal Fred Bear story always say the same sort of thing: his wonderful kindness and making everyone around feel important.

Thanks again for sharing the story Gary.

QuoteOriginally posted by Gary Logsdon:
Not sure Rob, I've never measured it, but if you print out the graphic I posted earlier at 100% it will print actual size. It's a 5" feather.  I'll try to check on the height.

yer drawing measures 11/16" at the high point, and that includes the thickness of the drawn lines.

ok, so - does this include the quill base or is this just the barbs?  

Yes Rob, that includes the quill base.  I just measured the fletching I burned as well as Fred's original and both measure a FULL 5/8" at the high point, which includes the quill base. I say "full" because the high point is actually about 1/32" above 5/8", so technically it's 21/32".  I'd just go with a FULL 5/8" for simplicity's sake:^)

QuoteOriginally posted by Gary Logsdon:
Yes Rob, that includes the quill base.  I just measured the fletching I burned as well as Fred's original and both measure a FULL 5/8" at the high point, which includes the quill base. I say "full" because the high point is actually about 1/32" above 5/8", so technically it's 21/32".  I'd just go with a FULL 5/8" for simplicity's sake:^)

excellent, thanx gary - now i've got MY feather shape baseline  

UPDATE:  I emailed Johnathan Karch at 3Rivers Archery and suggested that they consider offering a feather chopper in the shape I've created as a tribute to Fred Bear.  Anyone reading this thread has seen the photo of Fred holding the arrow that he gave me. My design is based upon an accurate tracing of the actual feathers. I heard from Johnathan today and they are talking about the possibility doing the chopper.  Keep your fingers crossed.

FYI: I did not ask for anything in return for my idea or the use of my drawing. It's great shape and would be a nice connection for guys to have with Fred . . . a tribute carried in their quivers:^)