Top 10 Bowhunters of All Time

So, what does it take to be considered one of the greatest bowhunters of all time? Better yet, what does it take to make the list of top 10 bowhunters of all time?

To assist in making this list, I went beyond my personal knowledge and nearly 35 years of bowhunting experience by conducting a poll on social media, as well as doing plenty of research.

Conducting my research and getting input from hundreds of other outdoor men and women allowed me to compile a substantial list of nominees that were narrowed down by meeting certain criteria.

My criteria for making the list are as follows:

Experience: There are a lot of great whitetail hunters all across the Midwest, but they lack the experience of other hunters that have hunted all over the country, and all over the world. How could you be considered a top bowhunter of all time if all you have mastered is one species in one area?

Well Known: In order to be considered as one of the greatest bowhunters of all time, an individual has to be well known. I am sure there are plenty of great bowhunters out there that remain low key and are only known amongst small crowds, but it would be awfully hard to justify having someone on the top 10 list that only a handful of people have heard of.

Hunting Accomplishments: A bowhunter must accomplish a lot during his bowhunting career in order to be considered one of the greatest of all time. A bowhunter’s accomplishments don’t necessarily have to be limited to hunting or the harvesting of animals, but since we are talking about bowhunters here, the nominee must have a track record of successfully harvesting a variety of animals, across a variety of regions.

Influence: In order to be considered one of the greatest bowhunters of all time, one must have or have had substantial influence over the sport. Examples could be pioneering hunting methods or tactics, innovations in equipment or gear, promoting the sport, etc.

Now, in no particular order, here’s a look at 10 of the top bowhunters of all time.

Saxton Pope

If as a bowhunter, the last name Pope sounds familiar, its likely because Saxton Pope is one of the two men that the Pope and Young club was named after.

Pope was born in 1875 and according to his entry in the archer hall of fame, Pope really began his archery and bowhunting career later in life after meeting a Native American named Ishi, this is where he began building his own bows and seemed to get serious about bowhunting.

From that point on, Pope was successful harvesting a variety of animals in both North America as well as Africa, including grizzly bears and African lions. Pope shared much of his knowledge and adventures in the books he wrote, some of which are A Study of Bows and Arrows (1923), Hunting with the Bow and Arrow (1923), and The Adventurous Bowman (1926). Pope was inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame in 1973.

Art Young

Born in 1883, Young was arguably the lesser-known half of Pope & Young, but regardless, Art Young was still a huge contributor to bowhunting.

According to the Archery Hall of Fame, after meeting Saxton Pope in 1916, Young was successful hunting a variety of game across north America and even Africa.

Young shared his knowledge and adventures through magazine features and lectures, he was also the first person to produce a bowhunting movie Alaskan Adventures (1923). Young was inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame in 1973.

Will Compton

Born in 1863, Compton became an accomplished bowhunter at an early age. According to the Archery Hall of Fame, Compton learned about bows and arrows from the Sioux Indians after moving to Nebraska in the early 1870’s.

By the age of 20, Compton had successfully taken a variety of animals with archery equipment, including 20 deer, 4 antelope, 2 elk and a bison. Compton played a pivotal role in both Saxton Pope’s and Art Young’s bowhunting careers.

Having spent many years working for a bowyer, he was able to teach Pope how to make an English longbow as opposed to the Indian style bow that Pope had previously learned how to make. Compton was inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame in 2010.

Fred Bear

Born in 1902, Fred Bear is a name well known among bowhunters and archers, and for good reason. Like many others in his time, Bear didn’t start bowhunting until he was older.

According to the Archery Hall of Fame entry, he was 29 when he first started hunting with a bow and arrow. Bear founded Bear Archery in 1933, and Bear played a huge role in not only archery but also bowhunting. He holds many patents such as the shooting glove, bow quiver, integral bowsight, and many more.

Bear documented many of his worldwide bowhunting adventures on film and is arguably one of the most well-known bowhunters of all time. Bear was inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame in 1972.

M.R. James

Born in 1940, James has been a well-known name in bowhunting for as long as I can remember.

Aside from being an extremely successful bowhunter, having harvested some 21 different species across 35 states and 7 provinces, according to the Archery Hall of Fame, James might be even more well known for his bowhunting contributions through writing.

James is an award-winning author and the founder of Bowhunter Magazine in 1971. James was inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame in 2003.

Chuck Adams

Born in 1951, Adams is arguably the most successful bow hunter alive today, and some would even argue that he is the most successful bow hunter in history.

Even though there are lots of great bow hunters out there, Adams has the record to prove it! According to an interview conducted by PJ Delhomme in 2022, Adams at age 70, had 210 P&Y record book entries (more than any other bowhunter in history), and 6 bowhunting world records!

According to the Archery Hall of Fame, Adams shares his knowledge and experience by writing more than 5,000 magazine articles and 10 full length books. Adams was inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame in 2008.

Ted Nugent

Born in 1948, Nugent is equally well known for his rock and roll as he is for his passion of bowhunting. Unlike many others on this list, Nugent isn’t necessarily known for P&Y record book entries or innovations of archery equipment, but he is a successful bowhunter who has done a tremendous amount to promote the sport.

Nugent takes a different approach to bowhunting when compared to that of many well-known modern day bowhunters, he takes a more upfront and in your face approach to harvesting an animal, and celebrates the kill as opposed to trying to hide it.

Nugent is not only a musician and bowhunter, he is also a successful writer and one of the biggest proponents for hunting and the outdoors.

Fred Eichler

The passion for bowhunting found in Fred Eichler is contagious. His excitement and enthusiasm for the hunt is motivating. His love for bowhunting has taken him all over the world. He truly believes that any animal with a bow is a trophy. His personal quest to complete the North American Super Slam with a recurve bow reflects that state of mind.

In mid August of 2009, Fred harvested a cow Tule Elk to become the first to take all 29 North American big game animals with a recurve bow and complete the Super Slam.

Fred has been fortunate enough to share his love and enthusiasm of the sport with fellow bowhunters across the country through his television shows, videos, podcast and personal appearances. Whether in front of the camera, or behind the scenes, you’ll likely find Eichler with a smile on his face and full of excitement for the hunt. Bowhunting is more than a passion for him, it’s a way of life.

Randy Ulmer

Ulmer is well known for his success in competition archery and has had both world and national titles in serval different archery competitions including IBO national titles and a FITA world title.

Although best known for his success with hunting mule deer and elk, Ulmer has completed the North American Grand Slam, which includes all 29 of North Americas large game animals.

Ulmer shares his experience and knowledge of archery and bowhunting through his columns in both Peterson’s Bowhunting and Bowhunter Magazine. Ulmer was inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame in 2015.

Tim Wells

Born in 1963, Wells is likely one of the more controversial names on this list. Wells started bowhunting at a young age, and his passion has propelled him into what some might consider celebrity status.

To call Wells a successful bowhunter would not do him justice, he has taken hunting to an entirely new level than most of us could ever think of. Although criticized by some for his choice of hunting style and weapons, Wells is truly taking traditional hunting to levels most modern hunters wouldn’t dare.

Although Wells still uses a bow and arrow, anyone who watches his hunting show or videos has probably seen him using blow guns, spears, etc. to take game all across the world.

Final Thoughts

There are an absolute ton of great bowhunters from the past and present, and to narrow it down to just 10, is really unfair, and comes down a lot to personal opinion.

What are your thoughts on my list, do you agree or disagree with my choices?

Here is another question, do you think someone could become one of the greatest bowhunters of all time without the money, access and opportunities that many well-known people have? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.

David Butler

David Butler is a Marine Corps veteran and a lifelong hunter. He lives in Normal, Illinois with his wife and son. David enjoys all things outdoors, with an emphasis on land management, deer hunting, and time spent afield with his family.

View 54 Comments