Fred Bear Ten Commandments of Bowhunting

[gregg dudley]

I have recently seen multiple references to the Fred Bear Ten Commandments of Bowhunting.  It got me thinking about the source.  Was it written as a document?  Did it come from an interview?  Is it a compilation of all of those?  The list doesn't show up in any internet source that I could find until about 2016 and then there was a flurry of reprinting and reposting after that all across the archery and bowhunting world. None of the 15 or so pages that I sampled listed a context or source other than attributing it to Fred Bear.  While the adages contained in the ten commandments seem sound, some of the language and phrasing doesn't match what I have seen Bear use in other published accounts, articles, and interviews that I have seen. 

Back in the day, when you visited the Bear Museum, you could join a sportsman's club that included a creed or pledge that was primarily related to hunting ethics.  I don't remember ever seeing anything about the 10 commandments of bowhunting.

Educate me.

[Wudstix]

 

[beemann]

Funny you should ask just came across it elsewhere.  Here you go...

[Pine]

 

[MUZZLEBOW]

That is just as relevant today as when it was written. Personally, number 5 is one I try to follow. I’ve started finally putting game in the freezer by just keeping it simple & being still! Thanks Fred!!!

[Larry Dean]

#3 sounds off. In the cool of the morning or evening, thermals go downhill. In the heat of late morning or afternoon on a sun exposed slope thermals go up hill.

[Orion]

It's correct, Larry.  Maybe it would be clearer if he said, "Always Approach FROM downwind," rather than "Always Approach downwind." Want to work into the wind.  When the wind is going up, the hunter should be going down, and vice-versa.

Gregg:  We're not answering your question.  I've read individual comments/commandments in different pieces that Bear wrote or filmed, but never saw them all together.   I don't have all of his materials.  Maybe it's in one of his instructional/fireside chat tapes.  Or maybe someone pulled them together and slapped a title on it. Sorry I can't be of any help.   

[Larry Dean]

Rule# 11. never go an a remote hunt without a garden trowel to dig a poop hole and an ample supply of Huggies Wet Wipes.

[gregg dudley]

Gregg:  We're not answering your question.  I've read individual comments/commandments in different pieces that Bear wrote or filmed, but never saw them all together.   I don't have all of his materials.  Maybe it's in one of his instructional/fireside chat tapes.  Or maybe someone pulled them together and slapped a title on it. Sorry I can't be of any help.

Yeah, I've read a few similar things, but not all.  The internet has a way of putting quotes together and attributing them to people whether they said them or not.  Since this didn't really show up anywhere until about 2017, I think that might be the case.

[Wudstix]

Sweet!!!
 

[LC]

I still have a framed copy of my charter membership to the Fred Bear club. Sad my kids will throw it away when I'm gone and it meant so much to me.

[beemann]

For the record I dont know the authenticity of what I posted.  Just saw it on another archery site.  I do remember hearing and seeing something like it long before I knew what the internet was.  Im half an old man so the memories come and go... Carry on. 

[Wudstix]

Like Abe says, you can't believe everything on the internet!
 

[woodchucker]

Larry, "Back in the Day" Hunters hunted on their feet...

I think when he said "move" he meant walk/stalk, not move your stand.

[Jim Jackson]