PAT NORRIS

ARCHER, BOWHUNTER, MANUFACTURER, PRO-SHOP OWNER

Pat Norris, has been an archer since 1948, when as a young lad, he received his first bow as a Christmas present. He made his first arrows from a cedar fence post and there's been no stopping him ever since. Back in those days Pat could be seen shooting in the open desert fields around Kingman, Arizona. Pat began stalking fur and feather in 1955 with archery equipment, and since that time has harvested whitetail deer, mule deer, coastal deer, elk, moose, bear, goat (mainland and island) ramboulet sheep, bobcat, javelina, wild boar (mainland and island), skunk, fox and other small game with his bow.

Pat has supported archery through his club membership affiliations beginning with Osage Bowmen way back in 1957. In 1960 he joined the Tilden Archers of Berkeley, CA, and served as vice-president of Tilden Archers from 1961 through 1962. He joined the Roving Archers in 1965 and the Professional Archery Association (PAA) in 1967. Over the years Pat has designed and built (with help) five field courses

In 1966 Pat joined the ranks of retail archery marketers when he opened the Bonnie Bowman Archery shop with lanes in Oakland, CA. From that store Pat ran a guide and outfitter service that targeted the Catalina and Santa Cruz islands for more than the next 20 years. Pat purchased the Lininger arrow manufacturing plant. and ventured into wholesale manufacturing and distribution. In 1971 Pat opened his second archery shop in Sunnyvale, CA. This shop was equipped will an indoor shooting range. At that same time Pat took on the responsibilities of the position of President at the CBH-SAA. In 1972 Pat designed and manufactured the Nor Scope 560, the first archery scope with an interchangeable lens system, apertures, aiming dots, crosshairs and circles. He was also the first independent manufacturer of a commercially produced release sold worldwide.

In 1972 he promoted and hosted the $10,000 Hawaiian Open, an N FAA sanctioned event. The shoot was so successful that the following year the purse was increased to $12,000. He went on to promote and sponsor the World Bow Hunter Team Championships for many years.

Throughout the 1980's and 1990's Pat continued to represent archery in a positive manner: through the entertainment industry, (by shooting a flaming arrow from atop the scoreboard at Oakland Coliseum to start a fireworks display), Through his retail marketing, and through the writing of articles for such publications as Archery Magazine, Alameda Times Star, Archery World, Oakland Tribune, Western Bowhunter and Archery Focus magazines. Most recently Pat has assisted in the making of a television commercial for the Hyundai Corporation for airing in the European market.

Pat Norris, Archer, Bowhunter, Entrepreneur, Promoter

Inducted 2002