I Have a 1971 Grizzly...What Bear Should I Get Next??

[Nala]

Hey all,

I have a Bear Grizzly that I think is from 1971.  I have always liked Bear bows, but I am not very knowledgeable on the years and wood/finish options.  I am somewhat more familiar with the different models, but not as much as I'd like.

With that said, I'd like to ask you all and see what Bear I should look to add to my collection next.  I would LOVE a Takedown, but right now that is not an option due to price.

I draw no more than 48 or 49 pounds or so and have about a 29 1/2 inch draw length.  Right handed too.

I don't know if a Kodiak Mag would be too short for my draw length, any advice on that from you Mag owners and shooters?

OK, what Bear bow(s) would you all suggest I put on my list to look out for from here on out?  Of course I love the bows that are fancier and prettier, but like my Grizzly, I would be happy with a utilitarian looking bow too.

Can't wait to see what you all recommend.

Thanks for your time and help.

Nalajr

[giff]

Originally posted by Nala:
Hey all,


I draw no more than 48 or 49 pounds or so and have about a 29 1/2 inch draw length.

 

is that 48@28, or [email protected]

I draw 29 and I sometimes shoot my k mag. i dont get too much finger pinch and it shoots real fast. it is probably my 3rd most shot bow. I might use it for turkey next season.

[Nala]

I guess I should explain more clearly.

I'll just make it a simple 50 pounds.  I can't draw anything heavier than 50 pounds at 28 inches.

Sorry for the mistake on my part.

Thanks

Nalajr

[nd chickenman]

go get what ever strikes your fancy!! You don't need anyone telling you what you should have, there are all kinds of Bear bows to chose from, so you can stay busy for a LONG time! Have fun!

[Jack Shanks]

You already have a start on a Grizzly collection why not fill in the years 1949-70.

[Hit-or-Miss]

Kodiak Hunters are very nice, and fill the hand like the Kodiak Magnum, but are 58" to 60" AMO. 67, 68, 69, fit the hand best, at least my hand anyhow. 70's are cheaper to buy though. Hunter's shoot just as good as the Super Kodiaks, but often sell much cheaper.

[Whip]

There are all kinds of ways to get started on collecting Bears.  Go for another model from 1971.  Go for all Grizzlies from different years.  Go for your favorite of each model type regardless of year.  Etc., etc.  Or you can just do like Jack and try to get one of every Bear bow ever built!  :p      

I really like the Super K's, and the ones from 1971 are pretty cool if you find a good one.  The Kodiak Hunters from that year are very nice also.

[longrifle346]

One of my Bears is a '70-'71? Kodiak Magnum, 52", 45# that pulls 48# at my 29 1/2" draw length. It's my groundblind/treestand go-to bow. Absolutely no issues with string pinch shooting three under. Don't think that some of the shorter bows can't be drawn and shot accurately past 28"...

[Nala]

Hey all,

thanks for the help.  So many nice Bear bows out there.  That's why I asked for your recommendations.  I don't know what all is out there that are wonderful bows and you all do.  It's not that I am looking for someone to tell me what to buy, I'm just wanting to get some suggestions on what is a great looking and shooting Vintage Bear to check out.  I also have no idea about the year to year differences.  As an example, someone may suggest a Kodiak Hunter and I go looking for one and find a nice one that was made in 1974.  Then I find out that one of the best looking Kodiak Hunters ever made was a 1972.  I wouldn't know that on my own.  Of course I have no idea about Kodiak Hunters or when they were made.

So, thanks for the help and recommendations.  If you have pics, that would make it all the better.

Nalajr

[Jack Shanks]

Nala,

 Check out the History/Collecting forum. Lots of information on vintage Bear bows as well as others. If you have a specific model and year you are interested in you can probably do a search and find something about it in a past thread.

Such as this one about Kodiak Hunters.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=003744

[cacciatore]

Nala,
Like jack said there are so many informazioni on the collettore forum that if you want to brown all the topics,you'll come out a Bear expert.  It worths the time.

[Jack Shanks]

Felix,

 While I don't consider myself an expert that is exactly how I gained much of my knowledge of Bear bows as well as others. Two and a half years ago I bought three vintage Bear bows and wanted to learn more about them. The more I read the more interested I became in finding others. That was 400 bows ago and I'm still learning.

[WESTBROOK]

I love the 65 Grizzly's, the Zebra wood they used is beautifull, my father-in-law gave me a mint '65...its RH and I'm not...The kid shot a nice doe with it last year.

For me, with a 30" draw on recurves, I've been interested in the new 64" green Super-K

Eric

[Ray Lyon]

The Bear bows are all fun. Perhaps look at getting as many 1971 models as you can.  The Super Kodiak is a great bow from that year. The Kodiak Hunters are super smooth and if you get a light weight Kodiak Magnum, make it your specialty ground blind bow.  Also, don't overlook the Tigercat. It's a good shooter too.

[finkm1]

As said in another post, check out the Fred Bear collecting forum on this site. The Bear Archery catalog CD ROM from 3Rivers has tons of info on the different woods used bows.

[Mojostick]

Don't overlook the Kodiak Specials from around 1957-1962 and the Grizzlys from 1958-1962, the Kodiaks from around 1957-1966 and the late 60's Super Kodiaks.

If you don't want to spend what many Kodiaks demand, one could make the case that the best shooting bows to come out of Graying were the 1959-1962 Grizzly's and the 1959-60 Kodiak Special and 1962 Kodiak Special. I have not shot a 1961 Kodiak Special, but assume it's also sweet.

If you like that funky early 1960's mint green glass, the 1962 Kodiak Special typifies the era, is beautiful, shoots like butter and is just plain cool to hold in your hands.

I have a 1959 Kodiak, several 1959 Grizzlys and several 1959 Kodiak Specials. If I flew in from Mars and never knew which was supposed to the the "best", I'd pick the 1959 Grizzly as the best all around shooter of that year. The 62" model gives you the best of all worlds.

I have all the 1962 models and the same can be said for the 62 Grizzly and KS.

As mentioned, the 1964 and later 58" Grizzlys are pretty cool too and shoot really, really well, although they lack some of the aesthetics of the earlier Grizzlys.

But like all bows, the best thing to do is get one in your hands and shoot it.

[Nala]

Thanks guys.  LOTS of reading and looking to do for me.

Heck I'd like any of them, to tell the truth, but I'd like to get a "pretty" one as my next Bear.

HOLY SMOKES....400 Bear Bows??  That's INCREDIBLE!  I'd love to just SEE such a collection.

I appreciate your help everyone.

Nalajr

[Larry m]

Focus on the Grayling made Bears which are considerd the golden years of Bear Archery. There are numerous models to choose from and in the draw weights you seem to like. Just keep your eyes open, don't be in a rush and look for quality clean bows. As pointed out by others, take advantage of the search feature on the collectors forum. Lots of very good posted info their!! And, enjoy the search......Once started it never stops.........