Nels was a fantastic craftsman, and his skills were reflected in the quality of the bows he made. In 1938 Bear hired Nels Grumley, a woodworker and bowyer, and the company expanded to offer hand-made bows. The initial focus was on silk-screening and advertising support work for automotive companies. 2003 After spending a year in bankruptcy proceedings, the North American Archery Group in Gainesville was been bought out by an Indiana-based sporting goods company that operates as a subsidiary of Escalade Sports.īear Archery was founded by Fred Bear and Charles Piper in Detroit Michigan in 1933 as the Bear Products Company.1978 – Labor strike results in closure of Grayling plant, and operations move to Gainesville, Florida.1972 – Fred Bear part of the first group of inductees into the Archery Hall of Fame, along with Ben Pearson, Ann Hoyt, and Howard Hill.1970 – After tinkering with takedowns for years, Bear begins selling Bear Take-Down stops after two years due to low sales.1968 - Fred sells Bear Archery Company to Victor Comptometer.1967 - Fred Bear museum opens in Grayling, Michigan closes in 2003 and collections sold to Bass Pro Shops.1959 - First year for the coin medallion in the bow risers.1956 - Bear markets his Bear Razorhead broadhead for the first time.1954 - The first working recurve bow made by Bear is marketed, the Kodiak II, or Compass Kodiak.1953 - Bear patents the working recurve limb, thus the patent date silk-screened on bows made after that date.1950 - Last full year for the Aluminum lamination.These first bows are laminated with a layer of Aluminum salvaged from WWII. 1949 - Bear begins mass production of bows in Grayling, the Polar, Grizzly, and Kodiak.1948 - Nels Grumley leaves Bear over plans to being machine making bows.1948 - Bear Archery produces TV and record cabinets for Admiral Corp.1947 - Bear opens a new plant in Grayling, Michigan and moves all operations there.1942 - Bear produces first Bear hunting movie.The archery business begins using the name Bear Archery Company 1940 - Bear Products is split into two companies, with Fred retaining the archery business and his partner keeping the automotive business.1937 - Bear hires Nels Grumley to begin making bows under the name 'Bear Products by Grumley'.1937 - Fred Bear patents first bow glove.1933 - Bear Products Company opens in Detroit making archery equipment as a sideline.

1927 - Fred meets famous bowhunter Art Young in Detroit and becomes friends.1902 - Fredrick Bernard Bear born in Pennsylvania.

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