Will newer bears ever be collectable

[johnnyc]

I was just curious because on my new Bear Grizzly I bought in Dec. of 2008, the serial number is 08-872.  The archery shop I used was a Bear dealer but didn't have any traditional in stock so they ordered it direct from Bear.

I was just wondering because they probably sell/make less traditional bows now than they did back before compounds gained popularity.  If my number indicates it was number 872(which i'm not sure if that is what that means) and it came from Bear in 08, i'm just thinking they probably shipped thousands of bows a week or even a day back in the early 70's.
  If they are only making say a thousand Grizzly's a year, I was wondering if it would have potential to be worth something one day.

Thanks!

[Migra Bill]

"I was wondering if it would have potential to be worth something one day"

It's worth something now. It wil always be worth something.

Will it ever be as collectable as Bear bows made in Grayling while Fred was with us -  

NO! Not even close.

[kenscollick]

I doubt that the Gainsville bears will ever have collector interest. A few years ago when Frank Scott was still with us,{probably the last link to the glory days} Bear attempted to create "collectable Bears" the commerative series limited to 1000 bows in the entire run. They never made anywhere near that number in spite of them being very nice bows.

Also there are very new people entering our sport {kids} I doubt that there will be any nostalga for bears of the late 20th.century. It has very little to do with the price, {$70.00 was a lot of money in the 60's it has more to do with the newer bears having no soul plus the fact that Grayling bears are still very plentiful.

Sadly the new generation of "bow hunters" are of the instant gratification crowd. Having very little interest in the regiment of the traditional archer. More likely to be attracted to the crossgun, when teaching hunter safety {we are required to instruct on that weapon} many of the 10 to 14 year olds immediately see the benefits of it.

Most of us that shoot and collect the older bows remember them from our youth when we couldnt afford them, If there is any recollection by the youth of today it will certainally not be the Bears of the 21st. century.

[shaft slinger]

Juat got a call from a big bear dealer here in the area today, i'am trying to buy a pair of latches for the bear kodak t/d bows to make a riser for my self( i have made the limbs allready) he called bear archery to get some, and was told that " more than likely they would quit making the eliete t/d next year" he also said that they only had 16 sets of latches left, he ordered one set for me.
   I don't believe this is what i was looking for but will waite and see
   As far as these flordia bows beeing collectable, thay have allready quit making the standard t/d and if they do stop the eliete then it will sure be one, imo    Harold

[Horney Toad]

I agree, the new fancy takedown will be an instant collectable.

[Migra Bill]

??

[ckruse]

Thirty or Fourty years from now, who knows? There's a lot of stuff out there right now bringing a king's ransom that was nothing special back in the 60's and 70's. I wish I would have filled a storage building with Fender Stratocasters and Gibson Les Pauls back when they could be had for a few hundred. Never say Never! CKruse