IT'S NO SECRET that I'm addicted to studying and sharing the rich history of American archery and bowhunting.

Today I'm focusing on Roy Case (1888-1986), rightfully known as "The Father of Wisconsin Bowhunting" and the man widely credited with coining the term "bowhunter." He's also recognized as the first-ever licensed archer to tag a deer during any state's firearms season. Archery history was made December 6, 1930, when Case arrowed a spike buck in Vilas County, Wisconsin. At that time, he was shooting a longbow and wood arrows equipped with steel broadheads of his own design -- the Case Kiska hunting head, which he made and sold nationwide between the 1920s and 1950s. He also wrote and published stories about his various archery hunts in "Ye Sylvan Archer" magazine. Also noteworthy is the fact Case worked to establish America's first bow-only deer season in his home state (1934). His work with hunting heads helped establish modern day legal broadhead standards that are still in effect nationwide. Further, Case is credited with organizing the Wisconsin Bowhunters Association. Some report he continued bowhunting into his 80s and early 90s. He was posthumously inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame in 1988. While I never met Case, we shared phone conversations and letters after I mailed him a note and complimentary copy of the very first "BOWHUNTER" magazine, published in 1971. In return, he mailed me a book on Wisconsin deer hunting history and a signed photo of him posing with the little spike whitetail destined to play a significant milestone role in US bowhunting history. Ironically, I was born on December 6, 1940, exactly 10 years to the day after Roy Case arrowed his Wisconsin spike. Pure coincidence? Personally, I can't help but wonder if my own lengthy role in documenting and promoting bowhunting for 6-plus decades now was somehow preordained.