Bitter Root Bow Company

[Sam McMichael]

Has anybody heard of this company? A year or so ago, I found a hickory self bow in a small shop that was going out of business, but the lady there did not know anything at all about archery.  It appears to be a very basic primitive style self bow on the order of an eastern woodland bow of about 68" length. In pencil there is the inscription of Bitter Root Bow Company 53 @ 28. No name or other information was on the bow and it was not adorned in any way - not even a coat of sealer. It is a nice looking bow and appears well made. (Unfortunately no pics are available.)

I have seen a very old reference to a Bitter Root Bow Company associated with the name Red Chavez. However, the pictures were of very modern and handsome recurves. Is it possible that this would be the same bow maker?

Any help would be appreciated. I looked in the research facility but got no hits.

[Elkchaser]

Sam,
I believe Bitterroot Bow Company was the name Red Chavez used for his bow building business. I have personally only seen his laminated bows. Sorry, I don't know much more than that.
You might send Jim Neaves at Centaur Archery (sponsor on here) an e-mail, as I think he may know more about Red.
Good luck on the search.

[MikeM]

Ditto above. I use to own a laminated Bitterroot bow by Red Chavez.

[JRY309]

I had a Bitteroot longbow built by Red Chavez,wish I had not traded it,I do miss it.He would send you the bow to check the riser fit and I sent it back for the finish.Mine was a two piece T/D,and was a sweet shooter.But I also think there was a Bitteroot bow company that made some selfbows,they were not the same bowyer.I read about Red Chavez and his bows in one of the early Instinctive Archer magazines.

[GRAYBEARD]

I had a little static tip recurve bulit by Red and it was and still is quite a shooter. Only problem is that I was dumb enough to give to one of my sons and he is smart enough not to give it back!

[Sam McMichael]

Thanks, guys.

[Jim Neaves]

I don't know much about it. I know that Red builds laminated bows so don't really know about any self bows from him. Sorry I can't help.

Jim