KENNETH WILHELM
1902 -

Hunter, Flight Shooter, Showman

Born June 8, 1902 in Mackay, Idaho. Moved to California in 1910.

Ken started in Archery in 1930 doing what most archers did in those early years, hunting. However Ken Wilhelm will best be remembered as a showman, flight and trick shooter.

From 1938 to 1954 Ken assisted by his brother Walt gave archery exhibitions at Sport Shows, Outdoor Shows arid Special Tournaments throughout the United States and Canada. He made 4 Grantland Rice "Sport Shorts", narrated by Ted Husing, that was shown around the world. He appeared on many radio and TV shows -publicizing archery, among them TV,'s "You asked for it".

Ken Wilhelm was one of the first archers who helped publicize flight shooting and have distances accurately measured and verified. On October 1, 1938 using. a 250 pound, 4' 1" foot bow at the California State tournament in Modesto. Ken shot an arrow 758 yards and shot a hand bow 48 yards and 1 inch. An amazing feat for the type of material available in 1938. Both were submitted to the National Archery Association and accepted as records. Ken continued shooting flight for many years; shooting his best distance October, 1939 in Amarillo Texas. 896 yards, Footbow. 579 yards 7" Handbow.

Ken helped construct the first 28 target range in Redlands in 1934 and continued in his travels promoting archery. Throughout his travels he not only set many flight records, he helped start many clubs and laid out numerous ranges.

Ken Wilhelm, Archery Pioneer.
Inducted 1978