tenbrook - Factual historical details of Michigan's first Bow & Arrow season, 1937, can be read on this thread, "1937 - Michigan's First B&A Deer", originally posted February 2009, a short 3-1/2 years ago...
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=002039#000001 The text and images below comprise the first of several posts from that thread...
In 1937 Michigan held its first special Bow and Arrow only deer season from November 1-14. Previously, bowmen could hunt deer only during Michigan’s regular firearm deer season. The 1937 archery only season was open exclusively for two counties, Iosco and Newaygo. The 1937 license cost $2.25 and permitted a bowman to take one bear and one male deer with antlers extending not less than three inches above the skull.
On November 6, 1937 William VanVorst of Lowell, Michigan took the first deer of this special season with a single arrow. Like many bowmen of the 1930s era, VanVorst handmade his own tackle including his self yew bow. VanVorst’s tackle is well documented in photographs from the 1937 hunt.
The broadhead VanVorst used features a sloped shoulder blade with an easily sharpened convex cutting edge. The head is 2.2” long and 1.2” wide. The slotted blade is soldered to a tapered ferrule, making it one of the earliest tapered ferrule heads produced for sport hunting in the US.
The antlers from that buck, the broken arrow with broadhead that was used to kill the buck are shown with VanVorst's license, coupon and back tag which are still in excellent condition. VanVorst inscribed the broken wooden arrow, “Wm VanVorst, Lowell, Mich, 11-6-37, Biteley, Mich, License #262, Spike Horn, 126#.”
VanVorst’s 1937 license, coupon, back tag, bow, arrow, broadhead, quiver, 1937 antlers and many other artifacts from Michigan’s 1937 Bow and Arrow Deer season, will be on display during the 2009 Compton Rendezvous in Berrien Springs, Michigan.
For the serious Michigan Hunting License Collectors, this 1937 license, coupon and back tag are truly the holy grail of the Archery Licenses.
In 1937, a total of 186 bowmen purchased licenses for Michigan’s first special Bow and Arrow Only Season. However, only three deer were taken in this order…
1. William VanVorst
2. Nelson Grumley
3. Leo Lang
Shown below are Nels Grumley’s 1937 spike deer antlers, an original 1937 photograph, and an original 1937 Newspaper article of Grumley’s first bow and arrow deer. Also shown in photograph is one of Grumley’s very rare 1930s branded bows, made before he became Fred Bear’s bowyer. Nels killed 7 deer during Michigan’s first 10 seasons and was regarded by his peers as the best bow and arrow deer hunter in Michigan. During the years following the 1937 season, Grumley went on to become the most respected bowyer of his era.
Topic: 1939 Bow and Arrow Deer Lic......Pictures! (Read 1201 times)
