Skip to main content

ATA Show Reflects Change, Growth in Bowhunting

The ‘father of bowhunting' would be impressed with the 24th annual archery show.

ATA Show Reflects Change, Growth in Bowhunting

Check back with gameamdfishmag.com for new-product info from the 2020 ATA Show in Indianapolis.

Fred Bear, the often-described father of bowhunting who passed away in April 1988, is remembered by most as a traditional archer. After all, the legendary bow-bender wore a Borsalino hat, shot a 65-pound recurve, and shot wooden arrows at a variety of big game species all over North America and beyond.

As the "greatest bowhunter of all time," there was far more to the Archery Hall-of-Famer than that just that familiar hat.

Bear, the man who started Bear Archery Company as the Great Depression melted into World War II, also was a writer of books and magazine articles, a filmmaking pioneer who recorded on camera many of his stick-and-string hunting adventures all over the world, a man who understood the concepts of marketing, and one intent on listening to customer wants and needs.

ATA Show 2020: See all the new bowhunting gear for 2020

Were he alive today, the hunch here is that Bear would be in Indianapolis, Indiana this week for the 24th edition of the trade show put on each year by the Archery Trade Association. After all, Bear was a man who helped modernize several components of the archer, from broadheads to fiberglass bow backings and to his long-running quest to make the world’s best take-down bow.

Bear’s spirit certainly will be amongst the thousands of exhibitors, buyers, and media members walking the show floor at the Indiana Convention Center this week — more than 600 exhibitors, 9,100+ show attendees, 3,200+ buyers and 400+ media members are expected.

For more on Fred Bear’s life and impact on bowhunting, please read the whole story on Petersen’s Bowhunting.

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

If you hunt public land, there's one fact that will frequently apply: There are going to be other hunters in the woods w...
Hunting

Ground Level Bucks at Kudzu Bluff

If you hunt public land, there's one fact that will frequently apply: There are going to be other hunters in the woods w...
Hunting

'Drury's Thirteen' Strategies Through the Late Rut

If you hunt public land, there's one fact that will frequently apply: There are going to be other hunters in the woods w...
Hunting

MyOutdoorTV: 'Realtree Roadtrip' to Kansas

If you hunt public land, there's one fact that will frequently apply: There are going to be other hunters in the woods w...
Hunting

MyOutdoorTV: 'Bone Collector' Rut Hunt in Illinois

If you hunt public land, there's one fact that will frequently apply: There are going to be other hunters in the woods w...
Learn

DIY Rod Building: Step-By-Step with Mud Hole

If you hunt public land, there's one fact that will frequently apply: There are going to be other hunters in the woods w...
Hunting

David Blanton Texas Deer

If you hunt public land, there's one fact that will frequently apply: There are going to be other hunters in the woods w...
Hunting

Monsters of Pre-lock

If you hunt public land, there's one fact that will frequently apply: There are going to be other hunters in the woods w...
Guns

Kimber KDS9c

If you hunt public land, there's one fact that will frequently apply: There are going to be other hunters in the woods w...
Hunting

Whitetail Watch, Brought to You by MyOutdoorTV

If you hunt public land, there's one fact that will frequently apply: There are going to be other hunters in the woods w...
Hunting

Taking to the Skies: Helicopter Hog Hunt in Texas

If you hunt public land, there's one fact that will frequently apply: There are going to be other hunters in the woods w...
Fishing

Let There Be Light … For Anglers

If you hunt public land, there's one fact that will frequently apply: There are going to be other hunters in the woods w...
Hunting

Scout & Adjust: Keys to Successful Hunting on Public Land

Game & Fish Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Game & Fish App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now