A Grayling Bear for a short drawing hunter

[False Cast]

Hi everyone. First let me say that you all are a great bunch of people filled with knowledge. I've learned a ton from just reading thread after thread.

My family's hunting cabin is about 45 minutes from Grayling. I've hunted there since I've been old enough to do so and I've been going up there with my dad for years before that. I'm a relative newcomer to traditional archery but I love the history of just about any sport I immerse myself in. Naturally, when coming into trad archery, I've been borderline obsessed with Bear's history.

I am not a collector but I do believe this is the appropriate forum based on the amount of Bear knowledge here. I have one bow right now and that's a John Schulz American Longbow, which I love dearly. I am extremely interested in finding a Grayling-era Bear in good enough shape to be a daily shooter as well as a full-time hunting bow.

The main concern I have is that I am not the "average" archer. I would like to find the ideal Grayling model for my specs. I'm not very tall, about 5'6, and have a relatively short drawlength - 25 1/2" on my Schulz. With a recurve however, my drawlength does increase to about 26 1/2" due to the higher-wrist grip. Draw weight is another thing, however. My Schulz is 67# @ 26" and I shoot that all day. I hunt whitetails and (hopefully) black bears. Maybe Elk out west if school ever ends. So I'd like to find a heavier-than-average Bear but I know that can be very difficult.

Based on the above, is there a certain bow that comes to mind for you Bear history experts as one that would be ideal for me? Does one model perform better than others at shorter drawlengths? Maybe a lower brace height?

I really appreciate all of your help. Thank you and shoot well.

*This IS NOT a "WTB" ad. I want to know what the braintrust here thinks would be the best Grayling-era model and length for me. I have all off-season to find something.

[dad]

I would look at the Kodiak mag,Grizzly and the Super Mag. The length would run from 52 for the K-mag, Grizzly 56 to 58 and the super would be 48. Remember the shorter the bow the more form senstive they are. If it were me I would look at the Grizzly or Super Grizzly and the K-mag next or both.

[False Cast]

Thank you very much Mr. Dille.

I don't think I'm necessarily looking for a short overall length bow, but I'm not ruling them out. Probably not a Super 48 as I don't need a bow that short.

I probably can't afford a 56" Kodiak but a 56" or 58" Grizzly sounds intriguing.

Do any of you collectors have a short draw, like me, as well? If so, what do you like and why?

Thanks everybody.

[dad]

My draw length is 27" and my hunting arrows are 28." I love the Super Kodiak's to me I want smooth. I'm not so concerned about arrow speed. The stability is what I want and with the Super Kodiak's I get both. My daughter has a New production Super Grizzly and she just loves it. I think what you need to do is start shooting them and forming your own likes and dislikes. The grip on the bows will tell you a lot. You might want to try posting under the Pow Wow section to see what some of the other short draws say.

[False Cast]

Thanks again, sir.

I'll be at the Kalamazoo Expo for the first time this year. Maybe there'll be some vintage Bears to fondle?

Perhaps there is a 56" heavy Grizzly out there somewhere.

Anyway, ongoing help will be greatly appreciated. I cannot thank you all enough for the information provided in this forum.

[4runr]

When you go to Kalamazoo, look for the tables and racks of used bows. That'll be Lonnie. I'm sure there'll be a bow there with your name on it.

Enjoy your search. Take some arrows along, Lonnie will let you shoot all the bows you want. Don't be afraid to ask questions. There are no stupid ones.

[Horney Toad]

Perhaps a mag A riser. They shoot nice and #1 limbs give a 56" bow. You can find limbs in whatever weight you prefer.