Ted Nugent and Capt. Ed Bilderback

Gary Logsdon · November 03, 2009, 08:23:00 PM

I was just surfing the cable TV and saw Ted Nugent interviewing Ed Bilderback, the man who guided Fred Bear on his famous brown bear hunts, including the one featured in "Kodiak Country". Ed was the captain of the "Valiant Maid" and is known by many old timers as "The man behind the rock." In "Kodiak Country" he was the guy crouching near the big boulder with Fred as the huge brown bruin approached at 20 feet! Ed is a man of many talents.

**DONOTDELETE** · November 03, 2009, 08:29:00 PM

I saw that too. It was great to hear his story about Fred.

Gary Logsdon · November 03, 2009, 08:35:00 PM

I think the episode will repeat this Sat. (Nov. 7)at 11:00PM. Don't know if that's Eastern or Central time. I was happy to see Ed recalling those golden days while wearing a Brothers of the Bow cap! I designed the logo on the cap:^) Small world. That Ed is something else.

VTer · November 03, 2009, 08:37:00 PM

What show? How old is Ed now?

twitchstick · November 03, 2009, 08:39:00 PM

I liked " don't weight this one it will get bigger with time" Fred Bear.

**DONOTDELETE** · November 03, 2009, 08:40:00 PM

Spirit of the Wild w/Ted Nugent. Yes that is EST time..I think Ted said he was in his 80'eds

Ragnarok Forge · November 03, 2009, 08:42:00 PM

Ted Nugents Spirit of the Wild, it is on the Outdoor Channel.

I watched it as well and really enjoyed the segment. I could feel the thrill as Fred drew back and shot that monster brown bear at insanely close range.

Yet another reminder that while Ted is a wild man he is true hunter, a patriot, and his heart is in the right place. He just highlighted trad archery and Fred Bear in a perfect, positive, backstrap tango way that only Ted can.

Gary Logsdon · November 03, 2009, 10:24:00 PM

I had the pleasure of hearing about that bear hunt from Fred himself in the early 80s. I was like a wide-eyed little kid whenever Fred and I got together in Gainesville. He would spin his yarns and I would grin as if I was hearing them for the first time. A very warm and humble man. Ed's name came up a lot; Fred held him in great esteem. Good job on this one Ted.

Gary Logsdon · November 03, 2009, 10:36:00 PM

Here's a photo of Mike Mitten with Ed Bilderback taken last year (I think):

I hope this opens. Hit F5 on your keyboard to fresh the page if it doesn't.

Gary Logsdon · November 03, 2009, 10:37:00 PM

Sorry, that was typo. That's MARK Mitten, Mike's brother:^)

Traditionalbowman35 · November 03, 2009, 11:09:00 PM

Yes this was a very good show i could have listen to that old man talk all day

Herdbull · November 04, 2009, 01:00:00 AM

My brother Mark talked to Ed on video tape several times during the past few years. I hope he will work the interview up for us to read, or we may show them as bonus features in our next film. Ed could not draw his bow for the last 2 or 3 years, but my brother Mark, a chiropractor, made some adjustments to give Ed releife from a pinched nerve in his shoulder. Ed could shoot his bow again right away and has called Mark many times to tell him the treatments is still working and he is continuing to shoot. Ed is quite a guy. Mike

Brian Krebs · November 04, 2009, 01:12:00 AM

He said he was 82 in the show. It was a good interview.

jcar315 · November 04, 2009, 07:55:00 AM

Would love to see that interview. I have been reading quite a few Fred Bear books lately and Ed's name is all through them.

Sounds like he is a really good shot. Glad he is able to shoot again. That must be a real joy for him.

thanks for the heads up!

Drew · November 04, 2009, 10:17:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by the real bowdoc:
Hey I was just wondering if Ted was shooting a long bow now ? thanks bd

Nope but it was a excellent segment on Ed and Fred Bear that ANY archer who saw it came away with a small piece of history.

VAFarmer · November 04, 2009, 10:40:00 AM

IMO, Ted is a great hunter. I think he came from trad equipment, but is one of those guys who likes to put meat on the table. I have to admit, although I have so far enjoyed the 3 times I went hunting with the trad bow, I had gotten to within range of a good percentange shot 2 of the 3 times-IF I were still using the wheel bow. 45 yds is pretty much a guaranteed with the PSE.
But I haven't even practiced at that range with the Bear recurve.

Farmer

GingivitisKahn · November 04, 2009, 05:11:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Drew:

QuoteOriginally posted by the real bowdoc:
Hey I was just wondering if Ted was shooting a long bow now ? thanks bd
Nope but it was a excellent segment on Ed and Fred Bear that ANY archer who saw it came away with a small piece of history. [/b]

I've got video of him giving his band a shooting lesson with his recurve.

**DONOTDELETE** · November 04, 2009, 06:03:00 PM

Ted started out with a Osage long bow...Why he went to wheeles I don't know that answer.

SteveB · November 04, 2009, 06:23:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by mysticguido:
Ted started out with a Osage long bow...Why he went to wheeles I don't know that answer.

Simple - shooting wheels pays better - and that is Ted's motivation for everything he does. One of the best self promoters I have ever seen.

The interview was great.

Molson · November 04, 2009, 09:04:00 PM

You like Ted or you don't... Who cares. How bout y'all bring this back to Ed Bilderback. I didn't even know he was still around. That's one guy I'd love to hear more about. Everytime I read Bob Munger's book I want to read more about Ed.

Herdbull that would be great if you could get that interview printed up.