american sportsman

[artelkhunter]

Does anybody have any information about the old arcives (footage) of the American Sportsman that was filmed in the '60's and '70's? It was hosted by Curt Gowty. There was alot of amazing Fred Bear footage along with many others using traditional equipment. I recall if memorey serves a segment with Willian Shatner taking a Brown bear with a recurve. At the time it was #3 in the world with a bow! I believe ABC has most of the film but will not release any.

[Warberg]

I do know of the LP version "secrets of hunting" with Fred being interviewed by Curt Gowdy,, As for film footage probably correct in your assumption, As curious as you now Art thanks.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I remember those Shows. I loved them..

[Hit-or-Miss]

On "The Complete Fred Bear Collection", DVD set, available at 3-Rivers,  on disk 2, #04 Big three; Grizzly, Mule Deer and Polar Bear, I think all 3 of these films are American Sportsman episodes from the 60's, early 70's featuring Fred Bear.

Well worth the money! I would rather watch these over and over again than most of the crap on TV now. Classic bow hunting displaying stalking and hunting skills, not ultra high tech "ads" with Bubba's yelling and jumping around over the fallen game.

Fred Bear was a class act. Mr. St. Charles was in a few of the other films as well. The Fred Bear DVDs are something special! True hunters and sportsman in an era that has long since passed. It makes my eyes swell up to think what has happened to the sport...

[Bowwild]

Thanks for the info.  I'll probably order this set.

[Warberg]

Well said " hit or miss".. one day i to will afford to get some of these great classics.. Thanks

[Flying Dogg]

That show really encouraged me to become a sportsman and a bowhunter as I was a teenager back then. The way Curt Gowty presented the show made me feel like I was about to experience a thrill made of dreams. I remember the show with William Shatner shooting that Brown bear. It was standing upright and he made a perfect chest shot. I believe it was at a good distance also, over 40 yards. It was very impressive if it happened as it was shown.

[artelkhunter]

Dogg those were the best of the best. I also remember the late Jimmy Dean taking a Yukon moose with a rifle and so many more. I'm sure ABC has not re-released any for political reasons.  Its a same because all the early shows were done with 17 pound camera's without the aid of four wheelers or any ATV of any type.  Those were a major part of what made the love for the outdoors and hunting a big part of my life also.

[barredfeather]

I still vividly remember hearing thos words every Saturday afternoon..... "Hello, I'm Curt Gowdy, and welcome to the American Sportsman".

I did hear that there was some "legal" issue with releasing the archives of the show.  Been looking for a long time to find them, but no luck.  Sure would like to drive that "memory lane".


Jerry

[Uncle Buck]

I miss them too. the hunters were all class acts. Some of my favorites were the episodes with Bing Crosby and Phil Harris bird hunting and of course the Fred Bear hunts.

[finkm1]

I remember one episode of American Sportsman where they were pheasant hunting with bows. I don't remember who the archers were. I have the Fred Bear collection and the "Grizzly,Mule Deer,Polar Bear is my favorite episode along with "The Oldest Game"

[Huntschool]

The William Schatner bear was with a compound as I remebr.. Allen pat type.

Those were great shows.  In 1966 we would make our way to the tv room at college to watch them.  Good times

[artelkhunter]

Bruce, seems I remember it being a recurve in that the Allen compound did not come out till the 70's-- I believe that is right.

[Huntschool]

I guess at my age I got it screwed up....  sorry bout that, but I do remember the episode..  seems like he "flung one" at a bear.

[Ray Hammond]

I tried negotiating with ABC over a period of years to get access to those for just this reason....but no dice.

May have been something related to Curt Gowdy owning some of the rights...in which case his son ( oh, man) I'm guessing may have them.

At any rate, I don't think there's a chance unless someone knows someone highly placed in the halls at ABC they're going to get out.

[kill shot]

Those shows were great. When a hunter took an animal he did not laugh about it and you did not hear "he's down,he's down". Who came up with that anyways?