I REMEMBER PAPA BEAR
THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE LEGENDARY FRED BEAR
INCLUDING HIS SECRETS OF HUNTING
"Fred Bear was the best-known hunter and outdoorsman of the second half of the 20th century, and I was devastated when he died, and remain so to this day. He was my best friend, mentor and father figure for several decades."—author Dick Lattimer
Still, today, nearly 17 years after his death in 1988, Fred Bear's name and legacy are indelibly etched into the fabric of hunting and the hunting tradition. "Papa Bear," as he was affectionately known to millions of outdoorsmen and women, combined his rare talents and passion to craft the hunting equipment and intrigue which would propel an entire industry.
His is an epic journey of overwhelming success in business as the founder of Bear Archery and in the field as a world record-setting bowhunter. Fred Bear's story is filled with fame, glory and celebrity; but his life at times was also laced with considerable heartache, struggle and disappointment.
Now, for the first time, we are personally and intimately introduced to "Papa Bear" by accomplished author Dick Lattimer—Fred's right-hand man, friend and confidant for more than two decades. This is the behind-the-scenes life story, an insider's view, of the man who became hunting's greatest ambassador of all time.
A sampling of the 25 chapters includes: "The Creation of Fred Bear," "Fred Bear Showed Me How," "Fred's Secret Hunting Camp," "First Compound Bows, Why Papa Bear Couldn't Shoot Them," "Fred's Last Alaskan Hunt," and "Fred's Final Days." The 6x9-inch, hardcover book is 368 pages and includes approximately 140 photos—some of which have never before been published.
REVIEWS
I REMEMBER PAPA BEAR
THE UNTOLD STORYOF THE LEDGENDARY
FREAD BEAR INCLUDING HIS SECRETS OF HUNTING
“Just finished “Papa Bear” last night. I was surprised how emotional I felt reading the last few chapters. After all, even though I was fortunate enough to meet Fred on one of his hunts here in Bassett, Nebraska, it would be a real stretch to say I knew him. So, I chalked up my emotions to some great writing that allowed me to feel a little closer to one of my heroes.
“Thank you for taking the time to write about your days at Bear Archery and your time with Fred Bear. It is important historical information that needed to be recorded for future bowhunters. Also, thanks for working with Dick Mauch to provide books for the recent Nebraska Bowhunters convention.”—Joel Klammer, District Fisheries Supervisor, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
“I am a long-tenured Bushnell employee who has had the privilege of working with Gen. Joe Engle since 1987. In the early years, as you know, Gen. Joe divided his time between the Bear and Bushnell booths.
“When I received a mailing about your book, I ordered it immediately. Gen. Joe introduced me to Papa Bear and had told me about how he regarded Fred as a second father. I particularly enjoyed your explanation of how Fred was involved with the astronauts.
“The hours you spent on this book have made it a treasure.”—Barbara Mellman Skinner, Bushnell Performance Optics
“Returned to my NY office yesterday and was pleased to find two copies (one signed) of ‘I Remember Papa Bear.’ Started to read last night and didn’t put it down until I had worked my way through most of it.
“Congratulations to you and to IHUNT Communications on a great book! It reads easily and is loaded with beautifully told and important history which urgently needed to be preserved. This book will be enormously useful as we put together the Fred Bear Museum in Springfield.
“I have a feeling this book will wind up on my ‘true north’ pile along with Leopold and a few others. These are the ones I read and re-read to find my way through life. More than any other, you have brought Fred Bear’s life into a much-needed and here-to-fore missing focus. For that you deserve my and the rest of the bowhunting industry's thanks.—Craig Dougherty
“My numbered, leather-bound limited edition copy of ‘I Remember Papa Bear’ arrived yesterday. I must compliment you in every respect on this book. It is so well done, so humbly done, so complete, so informational, I have trouble putting it down.
“I can easily see where this book would command a very high price at auction and I think when the actual book gets into many hands, your orders and their response will multiply rapidly. Warmest respect.”—Sherwood Schoch
“The book is wonderful. I truly appreciate your efforts in publishing the book and preserving the history of Fred Bear from a new and unique perspective. Many people have written books and told stories about Fred's hunting adventures, but this book is exceptional.
“The book is fascinating and truly brings back some great memories of my early years of bowhunting (started in 1972 while in high school). I really enjoyed the chapter on the ‘Guns of Autumn.’ I don't know many hunters that remember that monstrosity, but I can vividly remember watching it when I was in college. You and Fred set the stage for the promotion and preservation of our sport and I REALLY appreciate the history on some of the early struggles.
“Thank you for doing the book. I will strongly recommend it to anyone.”—Tom Lanz
“I just want to let you know how much ‘I Remember Papa Bear’ has touched my heart and rekindled my passion for bowhunting. I finally got to hear Ted Nugent’s song ‘Fred Bear’ around the same time I received the book …
“After Fred died, I got really depressed about bowhunting. It’s been that way until just recently I purchased ‘I Remember Papa Bear.’ After reading the book and playing Ted’s ‘Fred Bear’ song on tape a dozen times or more, I’ve gotten my Polar LTD
back out, cleaned it up and went to the local archery shop.
“Thank you Mr. Lattimer and thank you Ted. Thanks for what you do that keeps Fred Bear alive for people, especially the new, young archers. You brought him back to life for me.”—Ssgt. Robert L. Page II, USMC
“Thank you so much for the book. It was on my desk when I finally got back to the office this afternoon. Despite all the other work piled around, I couldn't help but break open the binding.
“The outline of the book is just my style. 1982 was a pivotal year for Bass Pro Shops. In a large part, it was because of the 'Hunt With Fred' campaign. The campaign spurred us to pursue archery with the same vigor as fishing. We committed to ourselves to win the trip with Fred, and I think we would have bought all the bows we thought we
could sell for the next two years to do so. Winning the 'Hunt With Fred' campaign provided the external credibility we would use to establish ourselves as a Fishing and Hunting Business. The rest, as they say, is history.”—Rick Collins, Bass Pro Shops
