Trad Gang

Anybody heard anything on Bighorn as of late, last i heard someone bought it and then shut it down,my first trad bow was a Bighorn recurve, killed my first deer with it and broke it when I fell out of a tree. I love the the looks of them I should find me another.

Is that the ones from Fred  Asbell. Did he make them himself or have them made, can't remember. Shot a few never owned any pretty good bow.

Unfortunately Bighorn bows don't exist anymore. They were very stable and accurate shooters not speed demons the originals made by Fred or under his supervision. When KOM acquired the company made some improvements in quality and speed department. Too bad KOM sold away the business the first new owner passed away too early and the next never honored his business.

I have one that I got off the PBS auction. Tony Van Dort had it made and then I got it from Biggie Hoffman who donated it. It's a good shooting bow I would hunt anything with it. :thumbsup:

This is a custom Bighorn Fred made for me in 1983 still a shooter, this is the first animal that I shot at with it Sept, 83 , many after that, with out doubt best hunting bow(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190406/c06aaaeb21a0f39cf50b110f57203f7b.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190406/817932704bfd94af0cef2569c504ac4b.jpg)

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I've got one and it's a great bow if you ask me

While I shoot my Blacktail ( Sitka ) most of the time now. I will say there is something special about Bighorn's! I have three and they are smooth, forgiving and shoot where they point! Great bows indeed

Bought mine from G. Fred back in the mid-eighties, one of the best bows I've ever owned. Shot a bunch animals with it. At 65# it was getting to be too much for me and I sold it about 20 yrs. ago.

Quote from: stagetek on April 07, 2019, 10:38:39 AM
Bought mine from G. Fred back in the mid-eighties, one of the best bows I've ever owned. Shot a bunch animals with it. At 65# it was getting to be too much for me and I sold it about 20 yrs. ago.

Think that's when I bought mine. He was the owner and at 60 lbs. I can still draw it but typically use it bow fishing now

My first custom was a Bighorn takedown Colorado model shot better with it than any other recurve I had afterwards. Unfortunately I sold it to buy another bow.
Wished I could locate it would buy it back.
I have a 64" Grand Slam one piece I acquired from a friend but it really is too much weight for me these days. Really great bows

I've got 2 of them and one is 58# and other is/was a 53#. I said it was53 as it is taking some pounds off. I'm hoping it will be 50# when I get them back. I still say it shots faster and hits harder than my Schafer. I shot a moose with my first Bighorn. I like them. Always looking for left handed Bighorns

My first and only custom bow was a Bighorn, around 1990 I think, I ended up with 3 sets of limbs for it. Man I could shoot that bow, tongue and cheek I named it Thor for all those feathered lightning bolts it sent toward the ground when I was in a tree deer hunting. I killed the first three deer I shot at with it and missed the next 11, all over their backs. I started shooting 3D, learned to pick a spot and a deer didn't stand a chance if I had Thor in my hands.

I averaged 250 on a indoor 300 round with my Bighorn snap shooting instinctively and had a good day one time and shot a 280. I won the TN state indoor 3D with it, twice I think.

When I started making selfbows I knew I wouldn't commit to the bows I made if I kept Thor, it was too easy to fall back on a bow I shot so well.

I sold my Bighorn and all the limbs and have been a selfbow guy ever since.

I always wondered where Thor ended up.

I've got a 64" Grand Slam one piece that was made when Fred first went into business. At 73# it's too much for this old man. Best shooting bow I ever owned. Not a speed demon but sufficient for anything.

 :biglaugh:  Charlie, @ 73 pound would have to string for me, and then pull it back for me to.....

Fred had his last shop in Ft. Lupton Colorado before selling the business to Bud Boker and he moved it to Greeley Colorado.  Bud had the business for a short time before he passed away.  His wife sold all the equipment and that was the last I ever heard of those bows.  I shot one when Fred still had the business, but the window was to short for my style of shooting so never bought one.  Bud Boker was a member of the Greeley Archery Club as I was for many years.

Fred sold the bow business to King Cavalier  back in the early 90's, then king sold it to bud, bud passed away and the equipment went to auction.

Maybe someone will start building them again. I missed and opportunity to get on from Fred he was at the elk show in Reno NV he had one that I wanted but it was a demo bow and back then the word wait was not in my vocabulary. 

I owned three of them and shot and hunted with them for many years, they were very accurate and smooth drawing bows. Back in those years many people shot heavy bows 60 - 70 # range was normal. You see them once in awhile for sale in the classifieds. If you can fine one that is in decent shape buy it you won't be sorry. Great Bows!

Quote from: HornHunter on April 08, 2019, 06:38:28 PM
Fred sold the bow business to King Cavalier  back in the early 90's, then king sold it to bud, bud passed away and the equipment went to auction.

yes!

I had a 70# 60" takedown back in the mid eighties. It was stolen out of my car in NJ. I really liked that bow and still wonder where it is today.

I went to the shop in Ft. Lupton about 1987 and ordered a takedown, 62", 63#.  In short order I took an elk, mtn. goat, deer and black bear with it.  Used it for 21 years, when I dropped down in weight.  At the time I bought it there were few custom traditional archery shops, and when others opened up I was quite happy with what I had.  I felt it was a great shooting bow.

Im glad so many guys have the same fondness for these bows as I do, I have a bowyer friend that specializes in high performance longbows, Im thinking about trying to build some carbon backed limbs for one with his help.

the flat limb beds would be straight forward to reproduce,  there are two styles of curved limb beds, those would be difficult, but if you did figure them out you could sell a boat load of them

Both my hunting buddy and his son each bought one from Fred when the Traditional Bowhunters Expo was still being held in Hastings. Too much weight for either of them to shoot these days. I'd love to find a used one but after years of looking I've never been able to find one in the 50@30 range......I'm pretty much convinced they don't exist. They're great bows and real lookers too.

I bought a Bighorn the year Bud Boker passed away. I had it made for me and actually met Bud at Cloverdale that June to pick it up. Sometime between then and that next Sept when I went to Maine on a bear hunt he passed away. Bud was a good guy and I really felt bad about him passing away. Thought about him while I was hunting. Maybe some good mojo in this bow because I took my first bear on that hunt. One thing Bud and I talked about was me picking Yew as my limb veneer. He said his bow had that same veneer, but I think he had an arrow inlay on his also. That was a long time ago.

Too bad the way Bighorn ended, Bud really was trying to turn the company around and if he had time I bet he would have!

Bill

Yellow Dog, I bought 3 with those specs a few years ago that I found at a vendor at ETAR.  All decked out.  Couldnt pass them up.

DWT if your guy would make them I would buy a couple sets

If limbs come to fruition I will let everyone know

I have a couple of sets, of curved limb bed limbs, I would donate , to build a jig with, I know it can be done,
there are alot of people who would buy reduced weight modern day material limbs, for those old bighorns

just think , your not reinventing the wheel,, Fred and Denny did that back in the 70's your just adding new rubber to meet the road!

Keith, what a great find. I haven't been able to find one in those specs let alone three in one spot......we'll done

:thumbsup:

I picked up another one just the other day 50# @28

Mine is 48#@30", 64" long

I have a Bighorn that will soon be coming back home to me.  Saw its for sale on another site.  Couldn't quite make out the name on it, but it looked like it might be my name.  Checked with the seller, and it was.  We agreed to a trade, and it will soon be in my possession.

I looked through my old paperwork, and found that Fred made that bow for me in 1987.  Shot and hunted with it for quite a while, and then became interested in longbows (and less weight).  The original limbs were 60 inches on the 17-inch riser and 65#@ 28 1/2 inches. The riser is now sporting a different set of limbs -- 56 inches and 54#@28 inches. 

Though I still primarily shoot longbows, I'm sure I'll be able to work that Bighorn into the rotation.  Even at 54#, it will be on the heavy side of what I can comfortably handle anymore.  Anyone have some lighter (curved bed) limbs they'd like to trade, any length?

When I was young in bowhunting the Asbell Bighorn was always a dream.  Never was able to get one, who knows maybe someday!

I got one coming my way, found a gentleman who had a bighorn he had outgrown and and he is passing it on to me, cant wait to get it. Thanks Mike

Ah...great history in Trad Bowhunting!!!

I think there was a straight limb bed and a curved limb bed. Witch was the latest design. And was the limb profile the same on each style. I have the profile copied and am thinking of trying to build one of these bows.

The curved limb beds are the earlier version.  Limb curvature beyond the fade outs is pretty similar for the two styles, but riser limb pad angle and the angle of the limbs coming off the fade outs may be a bit different from the earlier to the later version.

exactly on the curved limb beds,, they changed the riser angle about 86-7 I have both and I can post pics

those limbs will interchange you just gain 10 lbs or lose 10 lbs

they also changed limb widths (also riser widths) about then the first ones  had narrow limbs the later had the wider limbs

Post up some profile pics would you, just so we all can see the curve difference, ive not owned any of the curve limb beds but knew thats where they started swithching to straight

Quote from: HornHunter on April 18, 2019, 06:25:50 PM
exactly on the curved limb beds,, they changed the riser angle about 86-7 I have both and I can post pics

those limbs will interchange you just gain 10 lbs or lose 10 lbs

they also changed limb widths (also riser widths) about then the first ones  had narrow limbs the later had the wider limbs

Scott, are you saying that there were two limb pad angles for the straight limb bed risers, or there were two for the curved limb bed risers?  I only knew about curved and straight.  TIA

I had TDs built for me in 86 and 87, and both were wider version curved limb bed bows.  Had another built in 91, and i believe that one was a straight limb bed riser, but am not sure.  I no longer have it. 

Since I never owned both curved limb bed versions (wider and thinner), I can't speak to the similarity of their limb bed angles and I never tried to interchange those limbs. Of course, the curved bed limbs don't work on flat bed risers and vice versa.   

Don't know this from first hand experience, but was told years ago that the narrow and wide curved bed limbs would interchange (fit on riser).  Wasn't told of a difference in pad angle.  There may be, but it wasn't mentioned.

1989 model curved bed

[attachment=1][attachment=2][attachment=3][attachment=4]

Ok first picture is an 86 riser, black lines are an 84 riser
2nd pic is 86 riser width 1 5/8"
3rd pic is 84 riser barely 1 1/4" width(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190419/b9c6864d94dccb24873e70a6b1774e69.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190419/408070533e7acaed9a97a6bff2f54b96.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190419/a685ee0ab9b91d350877f01cc62cc53f.jpg)

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and yes the limbs do interchange, but as you can see the 86 was alot more limb forward than the 84

biggest difference is the limb width, almost a full 1/2" wider on the 86

which shot better? well the 86 was a rocket, 62" 70# @ 29" I shot a 2219 that weighed 800 grns

but the 84 killed alot more critters 60" 67@29" 2219 at 600 grns

I still shoot the 84 ,just reduced the weight to about 54 lbs, robin hooded an arrow last winter,  Run what you brung

Scott, thanks for the pics and explanation.

Indian has a model it calls a Bighorn.  Not the same bow. No comparison.  Not even close. 

the flat bed limb that King produced was an awsome shooter,  with the FF tips (bombproof) , it was very reliable, and adding a FF string, made it fast, plus the design and woods that are in Kings bows are still in the top of its class

Quote from: HornHunter on April 20, 2019, 10:34:15 AM
the flat bed limb that King produced was an awsome shooter,  with the FF tips (bombproof) , it was very reliable, and adding a FF string, made it fast, plus the design and woods that are in Kings bows are still in the top of its class

X2

Collection of one of each model made when Asbell owned the company including the first bow made and one made for Glenn St. Charles and signed by Glenn.
[attachment=1,msg2864107]

Anyone know what year exactly the flat limb bed started? around 87-88?

I had a curved bed bow delivered in 1987.  The one I had made in 91 was flat bed if I remember correctly.  That narrows it down to about 2-3 years. 

I see pics above from a 1989 curved limb bed so the flat would have come more like 1990-1991

I think King bought BH in 1990, may have been 91, honestly dont remember if asbell started the flat limb bed, he may have, would of been right before the sale.
King improved the flatbed  with a better bolt system,

Im sure there are others here that can be more accurate with dates etc.

I was privy to see some one of a kind Big Horns back in the early days , one was a latch system td , like the bear bows, some pretty crazy grips on Freds personal bows, if you look closely at Freds pictures you can see some

Scott, the first add for the 'new flat limbed' bighorn appeared in Bowhunter magazine for 1990.  G Fred was still President.  The new bolt attachment had a bezel that went down thru the limb and into the limb bed, making it a more stable attachment.  I believe this flat limb bed design made it much easier to produce and replicate than the curved limb.  As far as limb width, the '83's were 1 3/8" wide; the slimmer limb tipped '84's were 1 4/8" wide; and the '85's and up were 1 5/8".  Mid to late '85 they dropped the diagonal stripe for the long curved stripe.  The later curved limbs will fit the '83 and '84 risers with a slight overhang of the limbs on each side.  Not much of a performance concern.  Most owners believe the flat limb bed bows were better performers, but for me, I like the looks of the curved limbs.  These time frames aren't written in stone, but are pretty accurate.  I still have my '84 Custom Bighorn TD, truly a classic bow.  Hope this helps
Shick

sounds right shick, and yes I agree the curved limb beds are a true work of art, but were very difficult to make,

when I ordered my 86 it was almost a years wait, Glen Nelson was a close friend, believe I have a few pictures

of the 86 christmas party at Bighorn, which turned out to be a 3 day event,

1986 Bighorn Bowhunting Company Christmas Party

Fosters oil can shootout between myself (right) and Reggie "DOG" Speilberg

Left to Right... Glen Nelson Head bowyer, Doug Beck, the Secretary of BH ( poor woman was never the same) Reggie Spielberg, Scott George, Lurch, one eyed Bob, Ron Montross.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190421/828bca361f7a6e39dc73c8f97c24f050.jpg)

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Scott, great picture.  glad to see you were part of it.  Good for you.  Glenn was a helluva bowyer.  I still have my '89 ramhunter longbow which I believe he designed.   Thanks for sharing.
Shick

Nice pics Scott, hard to believe how young everyone was at one time, hard to believe 30 yrs have past since I started shooting stickbows right out of high school, if you have anymore pics or if anyone else has any pics pertaining to bighorn post them up

My first Bighorn recurve "witchy" (1986) was a used original 62" and around 50# at my draw.  She was not a speed demon but I could hit anything with her.   "magic"   :archer:

Hey Scott the Scott Jorge I knew must have been another guy he was almost the double size of you, lol.

The best part about Bighorn Bowhunting Company back in the day , Fred was a living legend, almost bigger then life, I say almost because he is a very down to earth man, when he lived in Co we lived just a few miles apart, so I spent more then my fair share of time with Fred, what a great mentor, for shooting , hunting, life.

The latch bow I mentioned earlier can be seen in Freds book Stalking and Still hunting the ground hunters bible, the bow is laying on top of that huge NT bull elk, as far as I know thats the only one made. pretty sure it was over 75# draw weight.

Here is my 86 custom, Prudhoe Bay AK. Found its way to this caribous heart(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190422/429dd3a22d89be50a749edc24147ce4b.jpg)

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Fred and Tereasa live about 15 miles from me,anybody else have some game pics with their bighorn

I have a 86 take down 56" 60# @27 that Is a great shooting bow.  Used it on a lot of hunts and made some great memories.  Sent it to Fred when he still had Bighorn and had it refinished. Still have it and a long handle with a curved bed. Also have two flatbed models , great bows but the last 25 years I have hunted with longbows.

picked up a flat limb model from around 1990 or so, 62" 60@29 around 65lbs at my draw. what a great shooting bow, in like new condition. Im thinking of building off this design with some limbs that narrow at the tip faster, these carry 1-3/4 almost all the way to the tip. The tips themselves are definately built super strong definately bombproof. The riser is a perfect design and the grip fits my blocky hand better than most bows. 

I have 3 Asbell Bighorns. One was order by my dad in 1990. I got lucky and just found a 50# Asbell Grandslam Recurve. I haven't seen too many that were under 55#. I do have one of the last Bighorns made from the last person who owned Bighorn but it's a completely different bow compared to the Asbell Bighorn.

I saw that one for sale, just couldn't convince myself that I needed another bow. 

Congrats, Levi.  You beat me to that one.  I was out turkey hunting and didn't see the ad until you had already contacted the seller.

Yeah I was surprised. The lighter Bighorns don't last too long. Been looking a awhile for one. I have a few Bighorns and I had a 50# takedown years ago and wish I kept it.

Found this Bighorn at Kalamazoo this Spring.  Was told it is an 83 model.  I had no intentions of buying a Bighorn when I headed to Michigan but 60" 48#@28" was too hard to pass up.  It's just like every Bighorn I've owned. Stable, smooth, not a speed demon, quiet and easy to shoot well.  No nonsense hunting bows with the most durable finish I've ever seen.  And Fred was there so it now sports a Hall of Famer's signature. Thanks Fred. [attachment=1]

Nice looking bow

wow what a score, looks to be in good condition, is that a FF string? 

Thanks, Not sure, the string is in the trash and has been replaced with a brown and yellow B-50. 

all right trap, back in the day, FF was a no no,

that is a fine looking bow I remember Fred showing me some of that blonde maple,

if you ever consider selling let me know!

Quote from: HornHunter on April 22, 2019, 04:00:44 PM
The best part about Bighorn Bowhunting Company back in the day , Fred was a living legend, almost bigger then life, I say almost because he is a very down to earth man, when he lived in Co we lived just a few miles apart, so I spent more then my fair share of time with Fred, what a great mentor, for shooting , hunting, life.

The latch bow I mentioned earlier can be seen in Freds book Stalking and Still hunting the ground hunters bible, the bow is laying on top of that huge NT bull elk, as far as I know thats the only one made. pretty sure it was over 75# draw weight.

HH, I know what bow your talking about with the latching system similar to Bears, There was at least two made, My family got several bighorn bows many years ago, they were in Kiko Tovar's collection in Iowa, when Kiko died my dad and Lamont Granger (who owned "The Footed Shaft" at the time, RIP)  bought all of his bows, we got the Bighorn's and Lamont got the rest, several were Denny Behn's personal bows, one was one of these prototype take downs, Denny was a lefty (dang it!)I ended up trading the prototype take down back to denny for a pair his 52" limbs with clear  glass. This all took place in the late 90's I believe. Thanks for your insight Scott, Iv'e been a Bighorn fan since the beginning and your recollection of events over the years I believe is very accurate!

Taxidermy Man,do you mind posting pics of your Bighorns,if this noy a problem.
Felix

I will try to post pics. but I only have two of the bows from the pile in my hands, one is a 54" one piece that Denny used in Africa and the other is a early take down that has Otis"Toad" Smith's name on it, my dad still has a 64" one piece that was Toad's bow and a 52" take down, my brother has a 54" one piece and probably a one of a kind 48" one piece that Denny built for Kiko Tovar. There were several early prototype bows that we sold to a collector friend in Indiana.

The first picture is the two that I talked about the second picture is some other bighorns that I own.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190527/94736e708b7e321b5f1fbd1b602a383c.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190527/c2595743687efab2cd2b3340e49484ee.jpg)

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Beautiful bows

Lovely bows and wood colors.

[attachment=1]

My 64" Bighorn Grand Slam. What a bow. As has been said it was no speed demon but if you pointed it at an animal you might as well get out the skinning knife.

At 73# @ 30" it's too much for these old bones. I miss the days when I could shoot it. I'd love to see someone shoot it again.

Nice bow Trap. I missed that one in K-zoo. I'd have jumped all over that.

This has been a very enjoyable and informative thread.  My first "good" trad bow was a Bighorn.  Won it in a raffle at a banquet that Fred was speaking at.  Sold it but tracked it back down a few years ago and bought it back.

A few posts have noted that the Bighorns aren't real speed demons.  I'd agree with that, but they're not slouches either.  I think they might feel slower than they are because they are very smooth, pleasant bows to shoot.

One hears the same comments about the older Bear TDs.  However, when I put a low stretch string (D-97) on a couple of sets of '80s era Bear TD limbs, they were just as fast as the new red and black tips with the same string.  Long story short, we tend to compare today's bows with low stretch strings with vintage bows with dacron.  Put the same string on each, and there's virtually no difference in performance.

I just put a D-97 string on the Bighorn I recently reacquired.  Perks it up very nicely.  And still very quiet.  At 56 inches, I think it will be in the turkey blind with me next spring in place of my 56-inch Bear TD.  A fella could have worse problems.   :goldtooth:

I grew up with a bow in my hand.  Always shot Bear bows, and started hunting at age 14 with a Bear compound (barebow).  In 1987 I came home from college and grabbed Dad's 1962 Bear Kodiak and shot it in the yard.  I was hooked on recurves again.

Went back in the house, pulled the latest Bowhunter magazine from the magazine rack and flipped to the Bighorn Bows advertisement.  The bows pictured were beautiful and reminiscent of the Bear Kodiak.  I wrote for a brochure that same day.

The next summer in '88 we stopped by Bighorn Bowhunting Company in Ft. Lupton while vacationing in Colorado.  Glenn strung a couple bows and Dad and I shot them at a box in shop.  Dad ordered a bow that same day, but I had to go home, finish school and save my pennies.

I got my takedown delivered in the fall of '89 and took my first deer the next year after 9 years of trying.  Killled my second deer the next year.

Will always have my Bighorns.

Next year, I got my second deer with my Bighorn takedown, and ordered a 64" one piece Grand Slam.

Moved to Colorado in 1994 and got my first buck with my one piece Grand Slam.

In 1995 I got another Colorado whitetail with my Bighorn Ramhunter longbow.

In 2011 I thought it was time to hunt with my Ramhunter again and got this Colorado Whitetail.

My brother Scott has more Bighorn bows than anyone I know.  Here is his first pronghorn taken in Colorado in 1998.  He took this with his first Bighorn takedown that he got in about 1990 or 1991.

In 2012 Scott drew a nonresident Shiras moose tag here in Colorado and took his moose with a 57# takedown KOM era, Douglas fir arrow and Magnus head.  Complete pass through.

Todd, thanks for posting your pictures; I'm aware of your family's affair with Bighorns and appreciate the posts.  My early Ramhunter will see the woods this season.  thanks
Shick

I know there are many, many Bighorns out there but a fortunate few must keep them stashed away because they're hard to come by.  I ordered a Colorado Bighorn in the mid-eighties and let it get away from me.  Found and bought a used one years later and made the same mistake.  Obviously, I'm not real bright because I've always liked the curved-limb bed Bighorns.  A classic hunting bow for sure.

Many years ago when we had just moved to Terre Haute, Indiana there was a bow shop "The Wilderness Shop" that was traditionally oriented.  They sold compounds, but everybody who worked there, shot recurves.  Mostly, Bighorn's.  I was still in college and those Bighorn bows were just a dream.  Really, enjoyed shooting them.   

Great story Todd.
I love my Bighorns, 3 KOM one early Fred.

Fred really new how to make a bow that looked like what a hunting bow should look like.
I also think the Ramhunter longbow is one of the best longbows ever made. Wish I had been more into longbows when they were being made.   

I totally agree Charlie about the Ramhunter Longbow.  For a classic D-shaped bow, it is very well made and exceptionally smooth.  Some didn't like the size of the grip, but it is very consistent.  The bow is silent and throws a heavy arrow with authority.  So many these days shoot longbows that are very, very far from the classic d-shaped design of the past, but the trapezoid limbs on the Ramhunter make this a longbow worth shooting.

Todd, my thoughts exactly on the ramhunter.  It's just a no bump, smooth shooting longbow.  As far as speed, when I don't shoot it for a good while, then pick it up, I realize that it is plenty fast for me.  I have an '89  66" 54#er; brown ramwood riser, maple limb core, brown glass, sheephorn limb tips, my so-called plain jane, but it's what I come to visualize as a classic longbow.
Shick

Todd thanks for your pics I really enjoy this...Here is my first goat with my trusty BH 1990 raffle winner , I shot a goat , 2x3 bull, 3x4 mulie, in 4 days on this hunt.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191007/41ae7c4cff3f9b519893825b97e28437.jpg)

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Scott, always good when you participate in the 'bighorn chat' with your pics and stories.
Shick

Thanks Schick
This brings back some great memories, I do remember it was a big deal to get on the Bighorn success board, because there were a lot of great hunters submitted pictures, it was a badge of honor, somthing I still prize today,

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That is a great 4 day hunting trip Scott, awesome picture too!

Okay a few more pictures from the past for all you nostalgic types.

The brochure I received from my first inquiry in 1987, yes I've drooled over it more than a few times over the past 30 years.

Delivery status letter of my first Bighorn!

Second Bighorn brochure that ordered my Grand Slam one piece from in December 1990.

The Grand Slam one piece

And the introduction of the Bighorn Ramhunter Longbow!

I'd love to get my hands on one someday. They sound like great shooters!

I love seeing all the old pictures. Keep them coming!

Here is a blast from the past, I am 71 now. The Bighorn is the only custom bow I ever ordered, somewhere around 1990, I ended up with 3 sets of limbs. I sold it because it was too easy to shoot well and I wanted to totally commit to selfbows. As long as I kept it I knew I would gravitate back to it because I was so deadly with it, it was wonderful bow. It took many years before my bow making ability advanced to the point that I was as proficient with my selfbows as I had been with with my Bighorn. 

Really like all the old Bighorn memories, my first Trad bow was one back in 88' a CO T/D. Had a Ramhunter as well and have owned 2 used one pieces. I still have one of them and have been looking for another Ramhunter for a long time now. Schick has been on the look out for me for awhile now but they are hard to find.
I had my hands on a Ramhunter at KZoo but it was to stiff for me had it been lighter she would have been mine. Like many of you guys my first Trad deer was take with that CO TD way back in 89' my first year going Trad at a young 20 years old.

I bought a 1 piece recurve off another member here a few years ago and still shoot it. It's 66" and 50 @ 27, I draw it 30" and it's deadly with Easton AO 2020's and 160gr snuffers

Here's some of my stuff, books bow,and brochures, check out the middle Ramhunter brochure.

When I bought that first CO Bighorn it cost me a whopping $332, and that  was for the bow, Bighorn quiver,and 2 strings.

I bought the Ramhunter in 92' and paid $489

That's great Gerald.  I never saw the Ramhunter brochure before.  Very cool!

Great memories from those pictures.  The original brochure was used when I was shopping for a Bighorn, though I ordered my Colorado Takedown directly from Fred when he had a booth at the WI Deer Classic.  The beauty of that one-piece recurve will always stir good memories of Bighorns.  To me, that's just a classy looking bow.

Gerald, you put together a nice picture; truly classic.  luv your one piece Grand Slam.
Shick

still would love to  find a grand slam for myself, I do have a pair of really cool special edition limbs that have the inlays in the limb veneers and they are insane looking.

When I first got into traditional archery back in the late '80's I was using an old used Brackenbury bow.  I wanted my own custom, built for me bow and it was hard to resist those Bighorn adds.  I ended up calling up Fred and ordering a 76 pound three piece take down.  $450 for the package of bow, take down case and Bighorn quiver made by Delta.  I remember Fred trying to talk me down in bow weight but I was in my early 20's and "needed" that weight.  Shortly thereafter I ordered my second Bighorn and dropped down a lot in bow weight. It was 73 pounds at 28".

Over  the years I ordered in a total of 7 Bighorn take downs. I ordered them from Fred, from King of the Mountain and from a distributer in New Jersey, Denny...  something I think was his name. I ordered my last one from Bud Boker at the P.B.S. banquet in Baltimore.  They all shot great and I killed a lot of deer, bear and turkeys with them.  My favorite, and best shooter was one of the economy models of the Colorado Bighorn.

Back then the wait was about 12 months or so.  I ordered in a Custom Bighorn with Osage riser with red accent stripes and Osage laminations under clear glass on the limbs.  I impatiently waited for the bow arrival, calling every other week or so. Finally the big day arrived and I opened the box... to the biggest disappointment!  This bow was hideous.  They had built it exactly as I have ordered but it was beyond ugly.  The Osage in the riser and limbs was bright, day glow yellow and the red accents just made it look tacky.  I set the bow up and shot maybe 50 arrows off it.  After that it rode behind the seat of my truck for 3-4 years in its case as a back up.  I like to have never sold that bow.

I still have some of the old Bighorn catalogs and I think one of the old brown T-shirts.   I have a bunch of dead critter photos but they are all 35 mm and I'll have to scan them in some time so I can post them.

As we speak I am putting together my own version of a Ramhunter longbow, after looking for several years I've decided  to build my own. I've been building my own bows for many years now and have all the equipment to do it myself. It will have a black future wood ( ram wood )riser with maybe a white accent stripe , grey glass , red elk limb cores and elk tip overlays. I'm going to try and copy it as close as I can with a severely trapped belly like the originals. 

Gerald, good luck with your build.  Back in the early 90's I ordered identical Ramhunter and Little Bighorns.  I outdid myself;  I decided to go with very dark gray ramwood and black glass with an osage flare.  When they arrived, I thought they were the most hideous bows I've ever seen.  The osage was so bright yellow against the dark gray.  Shame on me.  Sold them both within 2 months.  Plain Jane brown ramwood and brown glass for me. I didn't like the cut of the red elm under clear glass that Bighorn offered at the time.  Looked like butterscotch sticks.  Anyway, I'm going to try to construct a photo like you posted earlier.  Keep you posted.
Shick

If you guys had let that Osage age to a mellow honey color it would have looked pretty good.

Ron, I agree with you, but I think the dark gray was my downfall, I may have lived with the osage and brown riser.
Shick

More history from BH

First Ramhunter brochure

What about theses guys, the old Bighorn crew turned Bowyer Fletcher

More BF pics

Some supplies for my own version of the Ramhunter, form,riser temp,futurewood, (ramwood),red elm limb cores. I think I should call it the "Bigstorm". "Whamhunter" !!!!! What do you think lol

I found a bunch of Bighorn bow kills from... hard to believe, over 30 years ago.  Dang I'm getting old....
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A couple more.  Looking back over the photos, I had a couple pretty good years with the Bighorns back then. I didn't realize I have several dozen old photos from back then.

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R.V.T.B.- Great old photos and some history to boot! Thanks for posting and feel free to post up some more.

pretty cool historic photos

Wow, look at all that Tre-bark camo. We're all getting old !

Love all the additional brochure photos, success photos and stories.  Keep them coming!

Grand Slam
60 65@28
D&M Arrows

stagetek:
i was just thinking the same thing!!! ;)

Good one Keith.
Shick

Before I ordered my Bighorn I checked to see what all the high profile hunters like Gene and Barry Wensel were shooting, at the time it was mostly Bighorns so I ordered one.

Keith, I tend to prefer the looks of the "curved-bed" Bighorns that your bow is a beauty! I have a friend that has a takedown from the late eighties that's just a dust collector now. He hasn't shot it in many years but unfortunately I can't talk him out of it. He just likes the way it looks hanging on his wall.

On Page 4 Trap posted a picture of a two-tone beauty that just happened to spend the past week on the big auction site.  Guess what is coming my way soon!   :)

todd... nice bow, and wow thats some of the first blonde maple, Reggie had one of the first blonde maple I think he went on to kill a giant stone with it.

dont remember what year that was maybe 84 but reggie and Lee Veldhouse went to BC they both killed monster rams, but I remember shooting with reg at the jamboree just 10 days befor he left,, there was no out shooting him he was dialed in,

anybody else running a bighorn this season? im shooting a flat limb model 62" 60@29 about 63# at my draw and some 300 fmj with a 200 grn magnus. I havnt dropped the string on anything yet this year but I will.

Ive been hunting with a couple Grand Slam takedowns and a Grand Slam 1pc.  And a couple Silvertips and a Wild Horse Creek.  Decisions Decisions
 

Keith if it would make things easier for ya I could buy one of your grand slams to make the decision of what to hunt with simplified, just to help out.

Thanks for the offer DWT, but I think Ill keep them for now:^)

What a great thread. Wish Fred himself would chime in. Wonder if he has seen these comments. Betcha it would bring back some great memories.  :campfire:

Randy, I noticed in the first picture you posted of the Grey Squirrels. Did the Snuffers prove to be reliable on squirrels? :goldtooth:

We have a new group fan page on Facebook for Bighorn Bowhunting Company Fansand Collectors

Come check it out!


https://www.facebook.com/groups/886358638199281/?ref=share

Todd, good to know.  Thanks for the info.
Shick

I just noticed that there are several Bighorn bows on RMS Gears website,,,got me thinking

I don't know if my memory is failing me or not, but I thought that if Bighorn's were labeled "Grand Slam", that they were all, one piece bows? I didn't think a takedown could be a Grand Slam?

I just found this picture in an old box of pictures in a closet I was cleaning out. This may be my first Bighorn deer circa 1990 or so.

My 2020 Wyoming Moose taken with my Bighorn Ramhunter Longbow.

Many years ago, I bought a real nice used Custom Bighorn recurve. It was very fine shooting bow.  I'm getting back into traditional archery again after an absence of nearly 15 years. Sadly, I no longe have any of the fine bows that I once owned.

I remember attending the Eastern Sports and Outdoor show in Harrisburg, Pa. many years ago. I think it was around 1990.
Big Horn Bows had a stand there, so naturally I stopped.  I was lookin at the bows they had on display and a man with an eye patch came over. He later mentioned that he lost his eye by using the step through method to string a bow. Apparently they were running late setting up for the show and he was stringing up a longbow without a stringer. His grip slipped and the bow tip went into his eye.

Todd, good job, and great picture.   Steve, I remember the incident; I believe the fellows name was Szechs or something like that.  Appeared in some Bighorn/King of the Mountain ads.

Congrats Todd :shaka:

Todd, way to go.  I would be pleased if you discussed your hunt a bit.

Hi Steven, here is a short recap of my moose hunt.

My 2020 Wyoming Moose Hunt turned out just perfect.  The season runs from September 1st through October 31st.  I couldn't decide when to schedule my time off to go hunt and debated options all summer.  Obviously September was the focus during the archery only season, but early or later when the rut starts?  On my August scouting trip I found a number of good bulls, including one I named "kickstand" because of a droptine.  This bull was of B&C size, but was taken on opening day as I understand it. 

I stuck with my original plan heading north on Monday, Labor Day.  The weather called for a significant winter storm coming in Monday night through Wednesday across the Rocky Mountain west.  I thought the weather system may be just perfect for getting the moose up and visible through the day.  By 9:00 pm on  Monday, it was still in the 70's and clear - where is the storm anyway?

Tuesday morning was another story with over 10" of snow on the ground with more falling throughout the morning.  Fortunately, as I hoped the weather had the moose up and moving.  We found 6 bulls and another 8 cows & calves in the first few hours, including a couple of really nice bulls that I would be happy to tag.

I had to put on hip waders to deal with the multiple stream crossing as I made my way through the willow bottom that held the moose.

The snow made for silent movement and I was able to sneak up on a group of three bedded bulls that morning, but couldn't get closer than about 100 yards.  Hours later, the wind finally gave away my position and they moved away.  I continued to dog the group, zigging and zagging through the willows, crossing the creek and trying to keep the wind in my face.

Finally I was able to get close to two of the three bulls that had made the acquaintance of a cow with calf.  Moving within 25 yards of the group, I waited for the large bull to give me an opening.  Moments later the cow and calf came in the opening with me, walking directly at me - at 7 yards they turned and maneuvered through an opening in the willows.  Next came a bull still in velvet, grunting I was glad to watch him follow the girls.

That left just me and the big bull alone, one on one.  He reversed directions and came around the backside of the willows.  Turning as his head was screened, I was ready when he entered the opening 15 yards away.  The Bighorn Ramhunter longbow buried the Zwickey Delta tipped douglas fir arrow into the bull's side.  50 yards later he was down.

The hunt went by quickly, but I'm sure the weather conditions played a favorable part in the early success.  The King of the Mountain wool kept me warm and enabled me to have a silent approach.

The bull has a 47" spread.  I haven't scored him yet and won't as I never tape my own animals, but will wait the 60 days and take him to a measurer.

It took Jim and I until midnight before we had the bull in the back of my truck.  R&B Meats in Green River processed the bull in two days for me and the meat is delicious!  Randy at R&B reported this is the largest bodied bull they have had in the shop in 6 to 10 years.  He was a brute for sure - 4" taller than the other bull in the group that may have scored better, but was certainly younger.

It took me 21 years to draw the tag.  Two 4 day scouting trips and a 1 day hunt cumulated in this wonderful trophy.  I'm truly blessed!

21 years to draw tag!  Seems your scouting was as good as it could be.  Thanks for the story, and congratulations.

This is a great thread, interesting Bighorn Bows history! My first custom bow was a Bighorn,
1981yr. 60", 63# @28". Sold it to a member here several years ago.

I'd like to find a 60" mid-60's# @28" probably TD.
:campfire:

Where were all you guys when I was selling mine?   :biglaugh:  Had to give em away.  Great bows sad ending.

ADMIN:  Your first post on the Trad Gang forum just got you a 5 day ban for attempting to sell outside of the Trad Gang Classifieds.  Please read the forum rules that you agreed to when you registered.

What an IDIOT! But not as bad as soapy I saw try it twice yesterday. 

My first custom bow was a Grand Slam recurve-ordered it in '90. 64" 62# if I remember correctly. Asked them to do the lettering and my name on the flat part of the lower riser instead of the grip. It wasn't fancy, black glass on the limbs & a brown riser, but it was a sweet bow. Sure wish I still had it!!

Bighorn's are the best!!! A take-down Big Horn from Mr. Asbell's Company was my first custom, will never leave my meager collection...
I always wanted a Grand Slam one piece, actually had one from Bud (after he took the Company over from King of the Mountain) but it failed after a couple of weeks. Bud passed so I was out of luck and locating a lefty Grand Slam is not a high percentage proposition.
I am happy to have the take down I initially purchased, though it is now too heavy for me to shoot.
Have enjoyed this thread, thanks!
Randy

Like others here my asbell bighorn was my first custom bow, it was a LH 60" 65@27
I killed a lot of stuff with that bow , I had the weight reduced some then last year I donated it to the PBS auction . It was a great bow but the risers were a little clunky compared to a lot of bows today.

Hate to bring up an old thread.  I have a bighorn that is 67lb.  Would love to locate some limbs for it or find someone who could make some for me.  Like to get lows 50's

I've got a question I've been wondering? Do the serial numbers Correlate to anything? I bought one off Fred and I can't remember the date, I had some head issues hurt my memory some but it's a lower serial number. Any way to look up anything? Does anyone have one similar numbered and know round about date?
Excuse me, it may have bearing, it's a one piece grand slam

It's pretty impossible to tell by the number without the master ledger, but if you share a few more pictures zoomed out and show the tips and glass color I'm sure I can age it within a small window years.

ReRead this thread today. I miss Bighorn bows. I've had many of the great custom bows and Bighorn for me is still at the top of the list as a favorite. Nothing quite feels like a Bighorn grip. They were really natural pointing and shooting bows. Forgiving and quiet - a true meat getter. I also loved and still love their original quiver. Don't know what happened to those quivers - not the Delta quiver they sold later but the earlier quiver. I think someone purchased the quiver rights and was making them for a period of time but that seemed to fizzle out. That was quite possibly one of the best bow quivers ever made. It was a little heavy but infinitely adjustable to riser and the gripper could be tightened for smaller shafts. Glad I kept mine because I still use it.

Ron Rockwell from Castle Rock Colorado purchased the rights to the original quiver and still makes them, just like the original.  If you need one, I can put you in touch with him.

If you are on Facebook, come over and join the Bighorn Bowhunting Company Fans and Collectors page for lots of great Bighorn talk past and present.

I had a 3 piece Bighorn around 1988 as a kid.  I don't remember the weight but I was overbowed and couldn't appreciate the bow because of that. 

I was in a local shop this weekend and saw a 3 piece Bighorn for sale.  I believe it was 62", 67# at 30" draw and had a Bighorn quiver on it.  Of course I pulled it and I could tell it was heavy at my 31" draw, but it was smooth.

I've not seen anything about the Colorado Bighorn. I guess it was the plainjane model. Mine still hangs on the wall to look at everyday. It has accounted for more whitetails than I can remember and one elk. I'm not sure I could still shoot it at 65lb. I never considered using anything else untill the riser cracked. I found another from a gent on here. Maybe I'll have to build up to it again. I also bought a set of 70 Lb limbs as backup, never put them on as 65 was enough. What a shame this went away.

This old thread was soooo cool to find and read. I thought I would have to give it some life again. This is one of the critters I took in the mid 80s with my Bighorns. I was a kid in the USAF in Co Springs and drove up to Ft Lupton several times to meet Fred and pick up bows. I bought 4 of them over several years. Dang I was thin....

Actually, this is the pic I tried to post. A Javi from Globe Az. The Co. antelope was around 1992 or so.

Bighorn bows still getting it done. My November 20,2022 Colorado Bighorn ram taken at 13,600 ft in elevation.

Congratulations Todd; quite an accomplishment and with a 'Bighorn to boot';  Power of the 'horn.
Shick

Thanks Dennis!

And today Bighorn sheep biscuits and gravy for breakfast.

Todd, that's one good lookin' breakfast.  Enjoy.
Shick

I've admired these bows for decades. I never owned one. I've never seen a lefty less than 50 pounds. :goldtooth: