Old Bear Kodiak

[rwbowman]

Anybody know anything about the 60's era Bear Kodiak Hunters sold in camo finish? I have one a friend laid on me and I was wondering about value..

Thanks
RW

[Jack Shanks]

You can do a search on this forum for Kodiak Hunters and probably get all the info you need. The Kodiak Hunter was first introduced in 1967 as a 58" AMO bow. The following year the AMO was changed to 60" and stayed at that until 1977 the end of their production.I have owned a number of Kodiak Hunters, a couple in factory camo. Both of those were 1967 models. During the years 1965-69 the first digit of the serial number indicated the year of production on all Bear bows. If the serial number on yours starts with a 7, 8 or 9 it was manufactured in that year. If it starts with a K it would be 1970 or later. Check the completed listings on the auction site to get an average of value for a Kodiak Hunter. In my experience the camo models don't seem to bring as much but like everything there is always the exception.

[rwbowman]

While I don't have it here at work with me, I was looking it over closely last night and remember it's 60" AMO, and there's a number on it of '0155'.

[Jack Shanks]

Sounds like part of the serial number is missing then. It will be hard to tell anything with the camo paint but here's a guide to the years.


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

[rwbowman]

Okay, as best as I can tell, it's BK-01258. 60" AMO. Any thoughts on that for a serial number reading?

[Jack Shanks]

Are you sure it is a Kodiak Hunter and not a Gainesville Kodiak? If present the bottom silkscreen will either say Grayling or Gainesville.

[rwbowman]

The bottom silkscreen is a bear logo and says Gainesville, FL on it. Upper limb belly says Bear Kodiak, not Hunter.

[Jack Shanks]

The Gainesville Kodiaks and Super Kodiaks are great shooters and the best used value going on Bear bows. I have one now and owned a number of others in the past. Kodiaks like yours in excellent condition. $150-$200

[rwbowman]

Thanks Jack! What would you recommend for a shelf pad on the flat/straight shelf of these bows, or do you shoot an elevated rest?

[Jack Shanks]

I shoot off the shelf and use a Bear Hair rest on most of my bows.If I want to raise the arrow some on a flat shelf I will put something perpendicular under the rest material like another thin strip of Bear hair.

[rwbowman]

Awesome. Thanks again!