Larry Benoit passes

[Ron LaClair]

I've followed the Benoit's since Larrys first book. He was the real deal and passed on his hunting methods and skills to his sons.

What surprises me is Larry being a gun hunter has such a big following among Trad Gang bow hunters. It just goes to show that we as hunters respect true do it the hard way hunters like the Benoits whether they use a gun or a bow.

Rest in peace Larry and thank you for all the knowledge you've given us over the years

[bohuntr]

What surprises me is Larry being a gun hunter has such a big following among Trad Gang bow hunters. It just goes to show that we as hunters respect true do it the hard way hunters like the Benoits whether they use a gun or a bow


    X 2 on what Ron said. Very neat to see in a world where folks constantly bicker about compounds vs rifles vs whatever. Point is those folks were hard core geniune hunters!

[stagetek]

Remember reading the articles in Outdoor Life and Sports Afield about the Benoit's. Quite the deer hunting family.

[Mudd]

Abba Father please be with the family and friends during this very sad time.

God bless,Mudd

[Barry Wensel]

As stated above the hunting world has lost one of it's true legends. Larry was a personal friend of ours since right after high school. It's true he was a purist gun hunter and we were purist bowhunters, but our mutual love and respect for the mature whitetail was the bond that brought us together. I've told this story before but it's one of my favorite Larry Benoit tales that exemplifies what his friendship was like. In May of 1973 I had just moved from Vermont to Whitefish, Montana. One afternoon the phone rang. It was Larry and his wife. They were down at the Conoco station in Whitefish. Now get this.. he said he and Iris had driven out to the Las Vegas, NV area to see his brother. He thought as long as he was this close they'd swing up for a visit (check a map to see how far Whitefish, MT is from Las Vegas) Ha. About 10PM he said they probably should be getting a motel. My wife, out of the goodness of her heart suggested they stay with us (meaning overnight). They stayed for TWO WEEKS! And we loved it. We'd look for shed antlers, scout, go fishing in the days and go spring bear hunting in the evenings. The next year they came back out for three weeks. One of my proudest memories was when they got ready to leave Iris would pull me aside and tell me how much Larry appreciated our friendship because I was one of the only "young guys" that really understood whitetails. Then she'd acknowledge the fact he asked her to tell me because he was afraid if he did he'd get "emotional." That's the kind of guy he was. Another special memory was one day after having a conversation regarding his Indian heritage and him wearing what he called "neck-laces", he mentioned I couldn't wear one because I "didn't have the balls." So, in order to prove my manhood, I was forced to wear a neck-lace for a year. I still laugh about it. The man was one of a kind and as genuine as they come. When anyone becomes as successful at taking big whitetails as the Benoit family some unwarranted rumors surface. Trust me, the guy was for real. I witnessed him doing his thing as he stood next to me. I'd challenge him on his ability to pull off a shot. He'd look me in the eye then spat a big blast of Redman chew at my feet and touch off an otherwise unbelieveable shot. For those who have never seen their hunting videos I'd highly recommend them. The fact these are free roaming wild whitetails being filmed in actual tracking/hunting conditions will likely make you also a believer. I've been in video productions for about as long as anyone. I know how hard it is. To track, jump-shoot and consistently kill big mature, wild bucks on film is impressive. But the bottom line is it couldn't be accomplished if Larry and the boys didn't produce. I had full intentions to make a run over to Larry's this summer while I was back in Maine. But some serious family health issues with my brother-in-law unfortunately changed those plans. And for that I'm really sorry. For those who did not have the privilege of meeting/knowing Larry Benoit please rest assured he was one of a kind and one of the best whitetail hunters who ever lived. We owe a debt of thanks for all the knowledge and woodsmanship he and his family have passed down to the future generations. I was extremely proud to call him a friend. BW

[Bonebuster]

To this day I will not hang a buck by the head because I remember reading how Larry said it was disrespectful.

Now he can hunt all day in deep snow and never get tired.

I guess I should have known that the Wensels and the Benoits were connected...thanks for the inside info you guys...sorry for the loss of your friend.

 

[Roger Norris]

I just saw this....how sad. I always admired Mr. Benoit, wish I could have spent time with him. I think the connection he has with traditional bowhunters is that he pursued whitetails using true woodsmanship skills, in a "gimmickless" fashion.

Rest in peace Mr. Benoit.

[Barry Wensel]

Out of curiosity I just googled up the distance between Las Vegas, NV and Whitefish, MT. It's 1067 miles. That's almost the identical distance between Milwaukee, WI and Boston, MA (1074 miles). So thinking like Larry, the next time you're in Milwaukee you might want to swing by Boston since you're so close. That little tidbit will give you an idea what it was like hanging around Larry. He was one of a kind. BW

[Blackhawk]

A friend of mine told me of his love of Larry and his exploits, though they never met.  Many years ago, my friend had to have a weapon like his and got a new Remington 760 pump in 3006 and promply had the barrel cut to 19".  

He practiced that famous Benoit shot from the shoulder-slung position many times, but could never approach 1.5 seconds.

[Zbone]

"To this day I will not hang a buck by the head because I remember reading how Larry said it was disrespectful."

Had never heard that before...

Those pix in old magazine photos of bucks hanging, I thought they were hung by the head.

Wish now I still had those old magazines which I  carried around for years from move to move until a divorce and got pizzed and burn them.....

I checked Outdoor Life's web page yesterday but didn't find any of the old photos.

Also thought I remember them in red plaid, but recent pix show them in green plaid with blaze orange trim... They must have changed when/if blaze orange was made mandatory?

[Stone Sheep]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Benoit family. I am going to wear my green and black plaid wool for the rest of the season in memory of Larry. I grew up hunting in Vermont and western Mass and always admired Larry. Well said Barry.

[Ron Roehrick]

Thanks Barry and Gene for sharing those interesting stories  about Larry Benoit. Its sad to loose another old time master. Larry rest in peace brother.