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Class
of 2003
Bowhunter, Contributor to the
Sport, Influence on the Sport
M. R. James spent 35 memorable years writing and
editing material for Bowhunter magazine, the publication
that he founded in 1971. Under his editorial direction,
Bowhunter evolved into the most successful special-interest
periodical in archery history.
 M.R.
is a living legend in bowhunting circles, and is still living
his
lifetime of bowhunting experiences. Leading by example,
he has made vast contributions to the
education of bow hunters through his
writings and through encouraging others to share their
experiences in the written form.
Born under the zodiacal sign of "The Archer" in Wabash County,
Illinois in 1940, M.R. traces his interest in archery to when he
crafted his first crude bows and arrows from native saplings
while still in grade school, and by the age of 12 had saved
enough money from farm work and household chores to buy his
first "real" longbow and arrows. While a college student, he
began to write and sell short stories and articles to national
magazines. His writing career was nurtured by another Hall of
Famer,
Roy Hoff, the
 editor
of Archery Magazine. His byline then began to appear in the
nations leading archery and outdoor publications.
His biography is listed regularly in Who's Who in the West,
Who's Who in America and
Who's Who in the World. Today M.R. James continues to pursue
this dual passions, writing and bowhunting. He tirelessly
promotes the sport while traveling extensively, serving as an
informed and eloquent public relations emissary for the entire
North American bowhunting community.
1971 - Far left photo is M. R.'s first Colorado Black Bear taken
with bow. Other photo is of Mule Deer taken
also in 1971 in Nebraska.
Notes of Interest
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Editor/Founder of Bowhunter Magazine, 1971 thru
2006
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Editor of First Pope and Young Club Record Book, 1975;
P&Y Board Member for More Than 20 Years; P&Y President,
2006 thru 2010; AHOF President, 2009, ’10, ’11, ‘12
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National Bowhunter Education Foundation Board Member,
1979-‘92
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Award-Winning Author, Magazine Feature Writer,
Columnist, Contributor, and Public Speaker;
Professional Bowhunters Society Life Member
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Recipient of Outdoor Writers Association of America’s
“Excellence in Craft” Lifetime Achievement Award, 1999
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Successfully Bowhunted 35 States and 7 Canadian
Provinces, Collecting 21 Separate Species of North
American Big Game
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Received the Dave Staples Golden Arrow Award
2019
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