1982 Bowhunter of the Year: Deuaine Lake

In 1983 my mom, Beulah, wrote an article for the Michigan Bow Hunters (MBH) archery newspaper that featured my dad, Deuaine Lake. Technology by the bow and arrow manufacturers in the early 80's was just starting to kick into high gear. In 1982 Dad was given a bow by a company known as Proline, just so he could field test it. He also was using Bear Super Razorheads, which were given to him personally by Fred Bear. In that same year, dad received the honor of Bowhunter of the Year award with the MBH. The following article was listed in the December, 1983 MBH newspaper:

Deuaine Lake, 1982 Bowhunter of the Year has been with MBH since 1955. He started as an onlooker for a few years, and then went on to become representative and then Governor for District 7.

When Rex Holbrook became President, Deuaine was Vice President. Then on Rex's death, during his second term, Deuaine became President filling out the term. Then he went back to Governor and representative.

Now he is letting new and younger fellow MBH'ers bring in new and fresh ideas to the organization. Deuaine will always try to be there to help guide and shape bowhunting as we know it. Many friends were made and all shared the talk of hunting and archery skills.

Deuaine has hunted moose and caribou in Alaska (he shot a large bull moose, that just missed Pope & Young by a few points). He also hunted elk and puma in Colorado. He shot a puma which made Pope & Young. He has also shot a Russian Boar in North Carolina, a Black Bear in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and numerous small game, including a 56 pound carp shot in South Haven, MI. In 1981, Deuaine got his first Expert Hunter award after shooting a fox with his bow. He said that was one of his most difficult archery hunts of all.

Deuaine is a family man and loves to hunt with his son Ted and two grandsons, Brody and Brent. They both hope to shoot a deer with grandpa at their side. His daughter Diana doesn't hunt, but her husband Bill does. Their two sons, Corey and Curt are too young to hunt yet, but love to shoot their bows with grandpa. So it will be quite a hunting party for Deuaine, four grandsons, a son, a son-in-law plus their wives for cooking back at camp. Oh yes, his wife Beulah hunts too and has a few deer to her credit!

Deuaine has felt that if "You hunt with your children, you won't have to hunt for them."

That was the end of the article and I am very proud to be his son. He did so much for the sport of archery and teaching me and my family and countless others who have shared their own skills of archery hunting with many others. This is what makes the sport go on and into the next generations of the future. Spread the Word!