Saxton T. (Saxton Temple) Pope

Born in 1875, Saxton Temple Pope was an American physician, teacher, outdoorsman, and author. He trained and worked as a surgeon in California, but he is best known today for bringing traditional archery and bowhunting to a wider American audience.

Pope became closely associated with Ishi, often described as the last known member of the Yahi people to have lived largely outside settler society. Their time together deeply influenced Pope’s interest in Indigenous archery knowledge, hunting methods, and the practical craft of the bow.

His books, especially Hunting with the Bow and Arrow, helped turn archery from a niche skill into a lasting part of outdoor culture. Even a century later, he is widely remembered as one of the central figures in the early history of American bowhunting.