Camo Bear

[WVeer]

When I got back into traditional archery in 1990 after a few years of training wheels, I traded for a Bear Kodiak Mag 55# with factory camo.  I took the rest off and discovered a green riser with a blue stripe underneath.  I decided to strip the bow of it's factory camo finish with steel wool only to discover it was finished twice.  It had 2 sets of silkscreens,one on the camo and one underneath.  It turned out to be a nice looking Kodiak Mag but 20 years later I wish I had left it factory camo.  I haven't seen any like it since but I'm sure someone has one.  I'd love to see a picture if anyone does.   Anyone else have regrets over the way you treated a bow?

[VA Bowbender]

"B" in the photo is a factory camo Kodiak Mag 50#. I had thought about stripping the camo but I've seen so few that were factory camo that I thought I'd better not.
I have heard that the factory camo bows were 2nd's for some reason or other and that's why they were camo finished.

 

[LPN]

It's my understanding that factory camo Bears were bows that had some sort of bemish through handling. I have a '64 Kodiak that was factory camo'd and I can see a couple of nicks in the riser,nothing major, it shoots great.

[LPN]

It should read "blemish"

[George D. Stout]

No regrets. I consider scratches from hunting, character marks....badges of honor.  I don't beat my bows, but the sure do get scratches....and they keep them too.  I want my bows to look like bows...not vases, or urns.  A bow that is not scratched, is a neglected bow.

[WVeer]

Under the strike plate it read blemished but I didn't see much if anything so i stripped it.  Mine was olive green camo. Looking back, it was pretty cool an I wish I still had it original.  I still have it and my son used it to take his first traditional deer.....just like me.  

[reddogge]

I love to have a factory camo Kodiak myself.  My friends MigraBill has a nice '64 and Raineman has a nice Cub (I think).

[WVeer]

I don't think there are very many around.....has anyone else seen many of them?

[Wapiti Chaser]

I just got a 1966 Kodiak Mag that is factory camo. It is 56 # @ 28 and has seen some action. It still has tape residue from a tape on quiver but is a dream to shoot. I just came if from taking it out stump shooting and it shot great !
From what I read some the first factory camo's were seconds or "plain jane wood" but when they became popular you could special order factory camo as an option for a few extra bucks. At that point they just camoed em as the orders came in .

[JimB]

It wouldn't be a big deal to put it back like it was.A lot easier than refinishing a gloss finish.Al H here,has replacement decals.Take a photograph of the hand writing and get an ultra fine point,permanent black drawing pen with something like a .1 or so,micron tip and you can redo the writing.Olive drab paint shouldn't be hard to find or apply.

[WVeer]

I thought about that.....but it's just not the same now.   It's a good looker and I can't bring myself to paint it.  I'm sentimental too, since we have taken game with it.

[Bmac]

I have 2 factory camo Bears.  A 1967 Super Magnum 48 and I just picked up a 1966 Tigercat.  I have been told by a friend who has talked to guys that worked at the Grayling Bear factory that most factory camos were to cover a blemish but some were custom ordered as camo.  In this case, they would often just grab a bow "off the rack" and camo over the top of the regular finish.

[DEATHMASTER]

I have one and have never seen another untill this post.
52" 50# @28

Tim

[Jack Shanks]

I picked up a 1966 48# factory camo in a package deal a few weeks ago. Second one down from the top. I have gotten three other Kodiak mags recently too.