Aguilar, Colorado
Fred Eichler is a man of high standards and great achievement. His personal quest to complete the North American Super Slam with a recurve bow reflects that ethos and restlessness. And in mid-August of 2009, he made good on a mission and 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. But Super Slam or not, Fred truly believes that any animal with a bow is a trophy. Fred has been fortunate to share his love and enthusiasm of the sport with fellow bowhunters across the country through his television shows and personal appearances. If you ever run across Fred in the woods or at your local bow shop you’ll be greeted with a big smile and friendly handshake, which makes him our kind of guy.
What goes through your head when you first wake up in the morning?
I’m just excited for what the day will bring! I try to not imagine too many scenarios of what will happen because it usually doesn’t happen how I will imagine! It’s usually better!
Where is your favorite place to hunt?
My favourite place to hunt is in my backyard where I’ve done a lot to improve the habitat to improve the carrying capacity of both game and nongame species.
What haven’t you accomplished that you aspire to do in your lifetime?
Watching the three boys grow up to be conservationists and responsible stewards of the land as well as ethical hunters that appreciate the natural world, not the artificial one.
If there is any love-hate relationship with any aspect of what you do, can you describe what that is?
I love guiding clients and making life-long memories for them, whether that includes harvesting an animal or not. I hate that some people don’t understand what it is about hunting or fishing that is so rewarding, it makes lifetime memories and helps bring family and friends together. The lack of understanding of the pride involved in providing your own food for the table is just impossible to explain to someone that doesn’t understand it.
What sound or noise do you love?
A bull bugling, whitetails grunting, turkeys gobbling, mallards quacking, teal whistling, ice cracking on a pond, kids laughing, hounds baying, pheasants cackling, the list goes on!
What would be your day job if you weren’t doing what you currently doing
Unfortunately, the only other thing I’m qualified for is to ask people if they would like to Supersize their meal.
What are the 3 most essential things you need for hunting?
An optimistic attitude, patience, and a child’s sense of wonderment.
What does YETI mean to you?
To me when I think of YETI, I think of quality, a commitment to give back to the sport and a passion for all things outdoors.