Question for the "experts"

[stik&string]

I have been bitten by the collecting bug and I am looking to get an older bow to hunt with next season. I am hopeing to dow this every year as a way to extend the hunting season. I want to buy a bow, rehad it, then hunt with it but I have an old wrestling injury that limits my draw length to around 25 inches (on a good day).
I know that there were some heavy bows made in the "olden days" but I am having trouble finding any for sale, I have been checking the auction sites, and the trad gang classifieds but I have yet to find one. My question is did these heavier bows not survive as long or are they more collectable so they don't get sold as often?

[hayslope]

What weight range are you looking for?  Right hand or left hand?

[stik&string]

Sorry right hand. I would prefer 70 lbs and up.

[AALLFAB]

Bows over 70# are just plain rare and collected. I have an 80# damon howatt hunter i could let go and that is it for anything over 70# here. jim

[stik&string]

So what I am reading is that if I see one for sale in that weight range I should snap it up ASAP.

[OldSkoolArcher]

Might also look into the BigHorns. They are often higher weights. Not all that old, but are becoming quite collectible.

[Mike/Columbia Basin]

Yes you should snap it up and also expect to pa a premium price too. Some times you can find a few fifties Bear bows of that weight for a better price.

[stik&string]

Thanks for the info, I was expecting this to be the case but was hoping maybe I was missing something. Oh well, I only want/need a heavy weight bow for the first year due to an once in a lifetime elk hunt planned for early next year. After that it will only be deer and small game so my bow quest shouldn't be as hard.

[Wade Phillips]

During the 1950s up to 1960, Bear Kodiaks were made in heavy weights from 75# to 100# on special order, and in 1961 and 1962 in 70# to 100# on special order. Some of these old Kodiaks were made over 100#.

The most famous of these Special Order Heavy Weights is of course Bill Negley's 102# Elephant bow, a 64" 1957 Kodiak.

Occasionally one of these heavy weights show up on an auction site. If they are in good condition, which most are, they usually sell for a premium, almost always for more than 10 times their original cost in the 1950s or 1960s.

Collectors and shooters just can't seem to find enough of these old heavy weight Kodiaks to satisfy their needs.

[stik&string]

Thanks for the little history Wade (nice name by the way   ), even more of a reason for me to keep my eyes peeled.

[d. ward]

SS I saw a couple in the 65# range for sale this morning bd

[stik&string]

Thanks BD I'm on it.

[Wade Phillips]

stik&string -

This 1957 Bear Kodiak is the 100# little brother to Bill Negley's 102# elephant bow... Shown with his very elaborately bound book, "Archer In Africa", and one of his signed elephant arrows.

Like many heavy weight bows, this one has seen very little use and remains in near mint condition...

   

[stik&string]

That bow is so stunning all I can say is WOW!