Advice on buying a new bow

[Ken from AZ]

I am thinking hard on purchasing a new Bear Kodiak Magnum recurve in 55# with the fastflight string. It will be my first real bow and the idea of a short bow is very appealing to me. I am looking for specfic feedback on this bow's quality or recommendations for other "short" recurve bow alternatives.  :confused:  I am an avid gun and black powder hunter but very new to bow hunting and know little about it. My friend gave me his old bow this summer(he warned it is on it's last legs) What I do know so far... it is VERY FUN, that much I am certain about! With all the various arrows out there some basic advice here would also be very welcome! I just want a nice bow I can enjoy deer hunting and backyard target shooting with for many years to come. This sure looks like the right place to ask!

[Three Arrows]

The Kodiak Magnum is very durable and manuverable.  It shoots good also.  It is too short for target shooting out to 25 and beyond IMO.  I have one. I have a Supermag also.  Neat little bows for close range.  I actually shoot the Supermag better at 48 inch than I do the Magnum at 52 inch.  I swear the Supermag hits harder too.  They are difficult to shoot because of their length and weight.  I would stick my neck out and open the worm can and suggest you get the Super Kodiak at 60 inch if you prefer Bear bows.  I have shot any where from 66 inch to 48 inch recurves and found that it is the physical weight of the bows that make them seem twitchy.  I add on a bow quiver and arrows and it seems to get rid of the twitchiness.  Short bows sure are nice out of a treestand and ground blind.  They are very fun to shoot if you really concentrate on the follow through.

[Killdeer]

Hey Ken! Welcome!

I hunted last year with a Kodiak Magnum born the same year as you. They are fine bows, even without the fastflight string. Smokin' li'l bows, and fun to shoot, light to carry. Everybody here will have a different favorite bow that they will profess their love for, but you have discovered one of my loves right off the bat!

If your draw is 26 to 28" you could try a 2016 aluminum, if longer, try 2018 or 2020.
 
I love muzzleloading and firearms hunting myself, but seem to have the most adventure when carrying a bow.    

Killdeer  

[LV2HUNT]

If you are saying that this is your first Traditional bow then I would recommend something 58" or longer and 45# or 40# (unless your state has a minimum of 50# or higher) regardless of how strong you are.

The longer bow will be more forgiving and the lower weight will allow you to develop good form and permit frequent shooting without injury.

You will have zero problem trading for a heavier weight and likely little trouble of trading for a shorter bow. Shorter bows are fine but not the best way to start.

Look at the classifieds and take notice of how many bows for sale are over 50#.

JMO

[fling]

Hi Ken, If was new to the sport. I would give the check mate falcon my first pick. they make a great fist bow, the falcon is a 60"recurve with a big sight window,fast,forgiving,and you can pick one up for around $270 new. just dont over bow yourself. you could buy the custom bow of your dreams but if its too much weight you'll never shoot to your potential and never have the confidence you need to be a good shot. good luck Jon.

[Chortdraw]

Ken, you have a lot of good advice from all above. So once you get it all working for you, you have to go over to Ben Avery range. They have a nice Archery Range and have done an up-grade from what I have heard. They also put on some nice 3-D shoots during the winter months. When I is to cold up here in Prescott we go down to Ben Avery for the Sunday shoots when they have them.

Chort

[Dave2old]

Uh, not to cause turmoil, but Bear has had a very sour rep for many years now. If you want a Bear for nostalgic purposes, buy the oldest one you can find. Shrew has a strong rep for short bows --opposite of Bear, the newer the Shrew, the better the rep. Good price, very slow delivery due to demand. But that's how I'd go (I just ordered one yesterday, in fact.) Overall, my thought is that in order to get a "real" bow, it doesn't have to be new. I'd shop around for a good used model, as a great many are available. Check the TradGang classifieds, or call Milt Beens at Wildcat Canyon Archery (970-247-2894) or any of many other reliable dealers who keep large stocks of great used bows. Good luck. dave

[Ken from AZ]

Thank you all for the kind welcome and great advice! To add some extra detail. The bow I have been shooting for the past 5 months is 45# and says AMO 60" on it and I feel 55# would be real comfortable. It is made by Bear (it comes apart into 3 pcs and is made of all black fiberglass with an all metal center section/grip) and to put it nicely it has been used and abused --> but it was free so no complaints! I have enjoyed shooting it so much I would like to buy a better quality and performing bow...yep guess I am hooked! SOoo when I said "real" bow I refer only to the fact I will be opening my wallet to pay for it :-) Bear and Martin bows are the only ones I have got to actually hold and shot at the Cabelas store.. So that is all I have to base my buying decision from. The shorter Kodiak Mag felt good and I like the look of wood. I would like to also use wooden arrows to stay more traditional, but have no idea what to buy.
I shoot almost as well, at short distances, as my friend who uses a real fancy compound bow --> part of the reason I would like a traditional wooden bow and arrows, just to make him a bit crazier and I just plain like simple. They can keep all their laser guided, GPS, heat seeking stuff.. to me that just is not my kind of hunting. We are best of friends and very competitive, he knows nothing about traditional bows. (he gave me the one I have now because he hated shooting it...)
My hunting is all spot and stalk or from a ground blind, a shorter bow makes more sense (at least from my novice perspective)and it will go thru the mesquite trees and brush easier.
Thus the reason I posted my question to make sure I am not going the wrong way buying the Bear bow and looking to see what kind of arrow set-up would work best. AGAIN thank you for your time to help me out, I appreciate the advice of fellow hunters willing to share their experience and know-how.
 
By the way...I have not really looked at used bows on-line for the simple fact I am not sure what I am looking at and don't want to shell out money for a bad bow. Don't get me wrong I would like to spend less than a brand new bow's cost.. but am old enough to know what I don't know...

[fxe]

Ken,I have a K-Mag and like it alot.If that is what you decide you want,I would watch the classifieds.Mine is a 68 and in great shape and cost under 150 dollars.

J.W.

[Colonel]

Ken, I agree with three arrows, and would add that the Bear Grizzly, which is 58" long (relatively short) should be considered. It is $300 at Cabelas. I have all 4 of Bear's new generation bows, as well as 20 older, vintage models. I find no fault with Bear's quality, in their recently manufactured bows, nor for that matter their older bows.

Gerry

[KodiakBob]

K Mags are great bows, I have shot them on and off since the 60s. The secret to traditional archery is to find a bow that you like and have confidence in, set it up to fit you with string, brace height, arrows, and tab or glove you can use and shoot, shoot, shoot. If you can do the above then any bow can be a great shooter. Same as a car be it Ford, Chevy, Nissan etc, all do the same thing.

[macster]

Dont settle, get exactly what you want.

[rappstar]

get one that looks cool!

[Ken from AZ]

Thanks and Happy Hunting! I am off to Cabelas!

[allanburden]

Don't have too much fun at Cabelas.  I just got a 1970 K-mag in a trade and I can't wait for it to get here...it's gonna be a blast.