Skip to main content

Full Circle: How Fred Bear Changed My Life

The archery legend forever changed the sport of bowhunting, but had an even greater impact on the lives of others.

Full Circle: How Fred Bear Changed My Life

“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” — Fred Bear

The number of people who have made a positive impact on my life are too numerous to mention. The great Fred Bear is one of them.

The first time I read “Fred Bear’s Field Notes,” I was blown away. As a boy, it was the only book I couldn’t put down, and one that I read over and over. His stories just made sense to me, and I could relate to Fred’s excitement over seeing amazing things afield. Fred had an amazing way of telling stories about the hunt, but also about the places he went and the people he met. His passion for archery and bowhunting sparked a fire in me.

I first met Fred Bear at the Gainesville Mall in Florida, when he was signing copies of “Field Notes.” I was nine years old, and my mom said the only thing I told her was that Fred was very nice, but older than I thought he would be.

The next time I met Fred Bear was at his archery range in Gainesville. I was shooting an old used bow with my dad, and I walked up to him. Despite being with other people, Fred stopped what he was doing and signed that bow for me, which made me feel special for a second time.

The third time I saw him was at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. He was walking with his wife, Henrietta. He looked frail and was wheeling an oxygen tank that helped him breathe. I walked up and said, “Really good to see you, Mr. Bear, I enjoy your videos and books.” He thanked me, shook my hand, and started a conversation with me. Again, he made me feel special. Sadly, Fred passed away not long after that.

As many know, one of my first jobs in the archery industry was working at Bear Archery. I worked in the pro shop and gave tours through the museum. I also put mineral oil on the claws and noses of Fred’s animals, and got to touch the polar bear, grizzly bears, brown bears, black bears, and even the Bengal tiger Fred shot in India. I knew the stories behind the animals, and even had some unpublished information that Frank Scott had shared with me.

I proudly wore my nametag. It represented a man who had a dream of introducing people to the joys of shooting and hunting with a bow. Fred was a great representative of the sport and helped grow it into what it is today. I can’t imagine how many others he impacted. He also surrounded himself with some great people, and I got to work with many of them, like Frank Scott, Bob Munger, Joe White, and others at Bear Archery.

Although Frank Scott had given me a Bear Custom Kodiak recurve when I left Bear Archery, I started my serious traditional shooting with a Palmer recurve and used it to take the Super Slam. Then I shot a Hoyt for years, and helped Hoyt design the Buffalo and the Satori. I recently came full circle and started shooting a Bear recurve again.

For my first few animals, I hunted with the original magnesium B riser that was almost 50 years old, and new Bear 40-pound takedown limbs. It just felt neat to be using the takedown latch that Fred had designed.

My first goal was to take an elk with it. When a big cow elk came by at just over 20 yards, I drew and released. The Muzzy-tipped arrow buried deep in the cow’s chest, and she only went about 80 yards before dropping. It was a special moment for me: Coming full circle and taking an animal with a Bear recurve that combined old and new. I am tickled to see Bear Archery remembering their namesake and continuing to honor him by republishing Fred’s “Field Notes,” and by reintroducing the old metal riser and calling it the Mag riser out of tradition. The first ones were magnesium, but the new ones are aluminum.

I hope we all strive to impact others’ lives in a positive manner, just as Fred Bear did for so many people. I know that I will continue doing my part by introducing as many people as I can to the great outdoors and our hunting lifestyle.

For more information, visit fredeichler.com, and don’t miss Fred’s new show, “Everything Eichler,” every Sunday at 12:30 P.M. on Sportsman Channel.

Recommended





GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

On the surface, it would seem almost impossible to keep improving the Double Bull ground blinds manufactured by Primos. ...
Gear

Mathews Launches 2025 Bow and Accessory Lineup

On the surface, it would seem almost impossible to keep improving the Double Bull ground blinds manufactured by Primos. ...
Bowhunting

Think Differently When Hanging Treestands

On the surface, it would seem almost impossible to keep improving the Double Bull ground blinds manufactured by Primos. ...
Bowhunting

Hunting the Right Way

On the surface, it would seem almost impossible to keep improving the Double Bull ground blinds manufactured by Primos. ...
Bowhunting

How to Hunt Small Acreage All Season

On the surface, it would seem almost impossible to keep improving the Double Bull ground blinds manufactured by Primos. ...
Gear

Do Animals Smell Ozone?

On the surface, it would seem almost impossible to keep improving the Double Bull ground blinds manufactured by Primos. ...
Bowhunting

Baseball & Bowhunting with Ben McDonald

On the surface, it would seem almost impossible to keep improving the Double Bull ground blinds manufactured by Primos. ...
Gear

30 Years of TenPoint Crossbows!

On the surface, it would seem almost impossible to keep improving the Double Bull ground blinds manufactured by Primos. ...
Gear

APX — The Newest Pattern From Realtree

On the surface, it would seem almost impossible to keep improving the Double Bull ground blinds manufactured by Primos. ...
Gear

Buck Commander Releases New Buk Ops Technology

On the surface, it would seem almost impossible to keep improving the Double Bull ground blinds manufactured by Primos. ...
Gear

Easton's Sonic 6.0 a Versatile Arrow Shaft

On the surface, it would seem almost impossible to keep improving the Double Bull ground blinds manufactured by Primos. ...
Gear

Easton Introduces the Match Grade Pro Series Arrow

On the surface, it would seem almost impossible to keep improving the Double Bull ground blinds manufactured by Primos. ...
Gear

Primos Double Bull Delivers New Raised Hunting Ground Blind

Bowhunter Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Bowhunter App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Bowhunter stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Bowhunter subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Bowhunter stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use