Hunting License Numbers

By R. Steckmeyer 

It seems that there has always been discussion regarding whether certain numbers on old hunting or fishing licenses demand a higher value than other numbers. Most notably, low numbers and odd numbers seem to be the points of discussion. As a collector, I seek out these odd and low numbers and personally will pay a little more for these types of licenses.

   When you think about it, a 1940 hunting license backtag that is number ‘20’ is theoretically no rarer than number ‘123790’. However, it seems that these low-number licenses always demand more money, especially when they are put on eBay. At a club show a few years ago, I recall a non-resident deer backtag from the 80’s numbered ‘1’ being put up for live auction and fetching several hundred dollars. If the same year license was put up with the number ‘9123’ or something similar, it would have reached maybe 10 or 20 dollars tops.

    Another scenario would be a backtag or license button with odd numbering such as  ’99999’ or ’123456’. As collectors, do these licenses seem to bring more money? Or what about license number ‘1931’ on a resident 1931 hunting button?

   It all comes down to how much someone is willing to pay. I know some collectors try to find consecutive numbers for the same license year or perhaps the same number but a different year. These instances definitely create conversations among collectors. It seems that most members are willing to pay a little more in order to make a ‘matching pair’ or ‘set’ for license numbers as well.

 A 1950 backtag starting with AA and followed by a low starting number (beginning in 1946, backtags had 2 letters and 4 numbers. I presume that they started printing with AA, then AB, then AC, and so on. Did the numbers start with 0001 or 1000? Is this the first or second license off the line that year? Any information on this is welcomed!!! 

This backtag is one of the favorites in my collection. There were 176,314 resident deer licenses sold that year. I have the matching paper license which has all of the information typed in the blank spaces as opposed to being handwritten in. The license was purchased on October 31st of 1940 in Lansing. Was there a rhyme or reason as to what part of the state or what license dealers lower numbered licenses went to? Would it be possible to find that area of the state and uncover a goldmine of 2 and 3 digit license numbers?

BEAR ARCHERY BOWS

By Bruce Asbury

   The following is a little information to help identify Bear Bows.

   The most desirable  old Bear bows are bows handmade by Fred’s master bowyer Nels Grumley. These bows were hand planed out of Osage orange wood. The bows state on the limbs Grumley for Bear Archery. The bear bows 1948 to 1953 have the running bear decal on the limbs. The 1953 to 1955 has the standing bear decal on the limbs. In 1956 to 1958 they went to the rounded silk screen.

   The most desirable Bear bows are the Kodiaks. Up until 1959 most bow handles or risers were made of hard rock maple. Beginning in this year is when Bear introduced such exotic  hardwoods as rosewood, shedua, and zebrawood. This was also the first year for putting a coin in the riser. It was made out of copper. This was the first year for adding layers of fiberglass to the front of the risers. The 1959 Kodiak is really sought after by collectors.

   The 1960 Kodiak is the last year for the leather grip. The 1960 has green glass limbs. The coin was aluminum in 1960 and 1961.

   The 1962 Kodiak has darker green limbs with a pewter coin.

   In 1963  Bear went to a dogleg designed riser. This did not work out well because they had trouble with breakage. 1963 to 1972 the coins were either brass or aluminum  depending on the name of the bow. In 1965 to 1969 the serial number starts with the year it was manufactured.

   The 1964 Kodiak has gray glass limbs. The risers had protrusions at the top and bottom for the first time. They still use this design today.

   Both  the 1965 and 1966 bows look the same. They have an inlayed strip in the side of the handle for the first time. The 1966 Kodiak was the last year of the plain Kodiak. After that they were called Kodiak Deluxe, Kodiak Special, etc..

   All Bear bows that the serial number starts with a K are made in the 70”s. All solid green bows are made in the 70’s. The raised coin was used from 1972 to 1978.

   I surely hope this information helps you in identifying Bear bows and will help you in collecting these. Bear bows are truly a work of art. The quality is unbelievably  great.