1963 Kodiak

[Precurve]

Need some advice here from people with more knowledge about this than myself.  I picked up a 1963 Kodiak in 65# that's in "as new" condition.  Just an immaculate bow.  I have a number of these older Kodiaks in 60-65# and this is for me, by far the nicest shooting model I've tried.  My fear is that my 31" draw is too long for this bow and I'm going to damage it.  I only shoot heavy arrows in the 9-10gr/lb range.

Dave

[d. ward]

Dave that bow should be fine...Bear Archery actually said the bows weer safe at 32" I like them 1963 Dog's.......bowdoc

[Precurve]

Thanks guys.  It's the 60" Kodiak.  Very impressed with this one.  I think the way the riser's shaped on the 1963 model makes for a smoother and softer feeling draw, especially if you're over 28".  I was looking for a shorter, nice shooting bow for my turkey blind.  I think I found it.

[PAPALAPIN]

DAVE Back then, the catalogues used tp statr "DRAW LENTH: UNLIMITED".

Papa Bear himself had a pretty long draw length.

The heaviest '85 Kodiak I have ever seen was 55#.  Getting up to 65# is a pretty uncommon bow, although Papa Bear shot a 70#

Most Kodiaks from that era were in the 40's.

Great find.  Post some pics if you can.

[Horney Toad]

That is a rare bow. Good find.

[alaskabowhunter]

Papalapin- I was under the impression that Fred shot 65#?

[Precurve]

I also believe Fred mainly shot 65lb, although his field notes mention he used a 70lb 1964 Kodiak in Africa and on the Kispiox that year.  He also shot 75lb bows back in the 1940's.

Dave

[PAPALAPIN]

I will not argue with your knowledge about Papa Bear.  "HOWEVER"!!!  I know he used a 70# to take his African Elephant.

When he made that safari, he took Authur Godfrey along with him, and the Authur Godrfrey radio hour was brodcast every morning from their base camp.  We were glued to every word as he reported the days events and had daily interviews with Papa Bear.  

Now I "KNOW" you guys know more about Fred Bear than I do, but I heard it "from his mouth" that he took the Elephant with a 70# bow.

In most pictures he is standing next to a huge Bear or other animal, giving him the appearance of a man of smaller stature than he was.  I have a picture of hem with me and my "X", and he is about a whole head taller than me.  He was a "man's man" and capable of shooting over 70# if need be.

[d. ward]

Yes he did shoot a few heavy weights,but his weight of choice was 65#.He shot 28" to BOH normaly..however I also believe on the elephant,he used 70-75# bow and used 30" shaft...Maybe in the heat of battle Fred figured he may over draw the bow ??? I"ve looked over several of Fred's personal arrows and all of those I've seen were 28" BOH and were normal factory dipped and crested 60-65# or 65-70#...Fred did shoot white dipped shafts often for the camera's to catch a better view of the arrow in flight.....bowdoc