I attended the 31st annual Alaska Bowhunters Assoc banquet last night at the Captain Cook Hotel in downtown Anchorage. On the spur of the moment I set up a little Bear Archery display for the event. I had a great time and got a lot of positive feedback. Everyone had a Fred Bear story, he was the Guest Speaker for the Association banquet 3 times I was told. So many people owned Bear bows and you should see the look in their eyes as they take a trip down memory lane while looking over the display. I had no idea what I was doing, just threw some stuff on a table and set up a bow rack as you can see. I had a blast chatting with folks, so many of these guys knew Fred Bear, Glenn St Charles, Jay Massey, it was cool to soak it all up. I'll do it again next year, maybe build another bow rack and pick up a few more broadheads. It was interesting for me to note that my little broadhead case got the most attention in the display, more so than the bows even. Surprised the heck out of me. I bet a half dozen people took photos of my display.  The highlight for me was when one mom was having her 5 or 6 yr old daughter stand for pics in front of the display... mostly in front of the broadheads actually....little rusty pieces of steel over beautiful Brazilian Rosewood.... go figure. I encourage you to share your collection when you can, you'll have a deeper appreciation for what you have when you get home.


 

 

 

 

Great looking display Chuck.    by the way,if that was spur of the moment be sure to post pics when you put your mind to it!      

Thanks for sharing,Chuck! Always a great view.

Great display  

Very Impressive Chuck, I'll take one of each..

That's awesome Chuck    

Trap

Great going Chuck. Those experiences are inspiring!

Very nice Chuck! I think it's great when guys with a nice collection are willing to share it!!

Chuck,
Congratulations on a great looking impromptu display.you hit the nail on the head,at least for me.After collecting Bear Archery stuff for many years,I eventually got to the point where it was more fun to have others enjoy the stuff more than I ever could by myself.The few times I was able to display my stuff was great for the reason you mentioned.Not for any self gratification but to see others enjoy this history as much as I do.That's why I love threads like this.Kudos to you.
By the way,it's interesting that you were in the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage.That suitcase I have of Fred Bear's I posted a picture of in another thread still has a tag on it that reads Mr. Fred Bear,Captain Cook Motel,Anchorage Alaska. Fred Bear himself stayed there on some of his hunts to Alaska.How cool is that.

Nice of you to share that dandy collection with others, good man.

Nice display, I'd love to see It up close!

Chuck - Cool display. If you want to increase the number of bows in your display, I'd suggest you reduce the space between pegs to 3" and display only 60" bows. You can always send the 56" & 64" Kodiaks to me for trade-in on more broadheads...

As you say everyone likes to see all the different  broadheads... So if you want to just display only broadheads, I'll send you a few hundred more broadheads, you can just display the broadheads and you can send me all the bows...

Thanks guys, it was a fun night for me for sure.

To be honest Wade, I almost did not include the broadhead case because I was embarrassed for not having enough vintage broadheads to fill it. I did my best with the Razorhead boxes to fill in the empty shelves. I would definitely increase the size of display next year, I'll make another bow rack and maybe another broadhead display case. I need to get some eye-catching heads as well. Let me know when you feel like horse-trading, I'm sure I have an extra bow or two to swap with.

Chuck, Real nice display,having some of everything really makes it interesting to look at and read about. Its alot of fun taking around displays and seeing and talking to people about the gear. Just did the Kalamazoo Expo and I must get hundred questions on the Shotgun Arrow...I have it above the display with the missle's coming out and going into a pheasant. That's one that really brings them in for sure...I'm doing the Michigan Deer & Turkey Specttacular this coming weekend Feb13,14,15th and looking forward to that...And Chuck I always have some good eye catchers for trade...Bill

Done with flair and attention to detail, just like everything else you do! Hope I can help with the display next year. BTW I drove Tracy nuts talking about your collection for weeks after seeing it.

Enjoyed the display but even better was getting to meet Chuck and talk to him for a bit, (I'm the one that was fondling your huntin 59). and pick his brain about collecting etc etc.  Thanks for the effort.  Bill

Rich- thanks for the thumbs up, pics of your den kinda inspired me. Next year we will add that MSW to the display.

Rick- We'll do it  up right next year, another rack or two of Kodiaks, more broadheads plus a couple other ideas I have been kicking around already. I'll call you tonight about fishing this weekend, Sunday would be a better day for me seeing that Saturday is Valentine's Day. Gotta keep momma happy...

Bill- It was nice to meet you, I had a really good time that night. I hope to do it again next year, a little more preparation will be helpful. I have a few more bows to break out. Thanks again.

Chuck
So far census is down at the hospital so we should be able to fish without Gunther. I'm really looking forward to next years ABA event, sounds like I missed a good time with good folks. Tracy says Hi and give Ethan a scratch behind the ear for her.
Almost forgot about V day wonder if Tracy would like a bow....located another 67 1/2 super K!

Carful Bill collecting is like crack, just a little adictive and my freind Chuck is just the guy to get you started down that path.

Rick,
You are absolutely right about Chuck, and as proof of that within 4 days of falling for his 59, I bought one and am anxiously awaiting its arrival.  Rosewood, 64" and 47#.  Can't wait