MY Signed Bear TD

[OBXarcher]

Short story that probably only guys on this site can appreciate.

I've been  shooting bows since I was a little kid. Shot competition through high school, then I joined the Navy in 1987. Shipped off to boot camp in Orlando FL. Went through school there learning about reactors prepping to go to the submarine fleet. First couple days off I got came in June of 88 and I was hell bent on meeting Fred Bear ! I made the drive to Gainesville to the Bear Factory. I walked into the plant full of confidence that only a 19yr could have. I was not going to take no for an answer. I said hello to the lady at the desk and informed her of my name and that I was there to meet Mr Bear. She smiled and said sorry that is not possible. I then restated why I was there and the importance of it to me. She then looked at me and then informed me of his death 2 months prior. I felt like someone hit me in the gut. Honestly as I am typing this now, 24 yrs later I still get a little knot in the stomach.

After the bad news I still did not leave. They had the Bear museum in there at the time and I slept in my truck for three nights so that I could hang out and watch all the videos in the library. I took lots of pics and someday when I scan them I will post them here.

I recently received a Bear take down green stripe, signed by Mr Bear himself. Funny thing is it is signed to me. Well not too me but to Mark which is my name too, so I'm claiming it as mine.

 
 
 

[Phrogdrvr]

That's a great story shipmate, sorry you didn't get to meet Fred.  Love the bow, how does it shoot?

Tom

[jcar315]

       

[vintage-bears]

I feel your pain Mark!

I was at a sport show in the eighties but my interest was more about guns and compound bows back then.

PapaBear was there sitting at a table with others meeting and greeting the folks and giving autographs.
Needless to say, I never got on line to shake his hand and regret it ever since! Not so much about getting an autograph as he signed thousands of bows through the years.

I simply would have liked to look him in the eyes and thank him for filming all his wonderful bow hunting adventures for all of us. It was those films that sparked my interest in chasing animals with traditional bows.......Bear Bows ofcoarse!

Your signed bow is awesome and having your name on it makes all the more special.
Take it to the woods and enjoy!

......Philip

[johnnyrazorhead]

Very cool story Mark.Great bow.

[Larry m]

Neat story. Obviously that bow found it's true owner. Enjoy!!!!

[yellow bow]

Very nice.

  :cool:

[cacciatore]

Mark,lucky dog enjoy your personal signed Green Stripe,maybe one day I'll find one me too!|

[dan d]

Very Cool !

I got to meet Fred, but I was so young I don't really remember it, I was born & raised in Michigan and Dad loved the Grayling area, I guess he took me with him to the museum in the late 60's, I vaguely remember it, but Dad took me to so many places like this that it all blends together, I think there was a call of the wild museum that I also vaguely remember somewhere by Grayling or Gaylord.

Anyways, very cool that you got that Bow !

[Shane Reed]

Congrats Mark! What a great story! I also wish that I could have met Fred Bear. I have shot since I was a child, and he was around at that time. It's to bad Fred never came to the little city of Milford, CT when the bowhunters club was active. Moved to Vermont at the age of 10 in 1986, and stood no chance of seeing him in this state. If anyone finds a bow signed by Fred Bear to Shane, please let me know. ;o)

[Marc B.]

Very nice Mark, Congrats on a great find!