Kodiak Hunter

[59Alaskan]

Just curious on the history of the bow.  Who designed it? I believe it was launched in 1967 at 58" but changed to 60" rather quickly?  

I have never owned one, but likely will one day.  I have shot one and it was a wonderful bow.  I do know I  prefer the lower wrist 1970's models vs. the late 1960's as I have held models from several years.

I know they are not collected as much but they seem like all around hunting machines...much like the Grizzly's that I tend to favor.

Just thought I'd throw this out there for folks to provide what they know...and any pictures they care to post.

[dbd870]

I used to a have a green 70's 60" and a Club member has a 58" so you are right on that. Wish I had it back.

[reddogge]

I own an early 70s model and it is not the best performer compared to any Bear Kodiak I've owned. Mine was not fast by any stretch or that smooth shooting. I did kill a deer with it though. I'm holding onto it for one of my grandsons when he grows into it in a year or so.

[Tony Z]

I traded a 70's Grizzly for a '67 K Hunter. It's 58", 48# @ 28". A great shooting bow. Mine has a high wrist grip that took some getting used to. Not sure if they were all like that. The smoothest drawing/ shooting Bear I've owned. TonyZ.

[Blackhawk]

I believe Bill Stewart was the designer of the Hunter and it was 58" only the first year in '67 and then changed to 60".  Those first 3 years were pretty plain looking with a too high wrist grip for me.  (Even though Bear did have some sexy zebrawood and other exotic models tossed in the mix.)

My first new bow ever was the '71 Kodiak Hunter I ordered from Great Falls Sporting Goods in Montana for $50.  I still have it and still think those early 70's were some of the best looking of all Bear bows.  Those green ones are probably stronger and shoot just as well, but not near as pretty to me.

Bear made tons of Kodiak Hunters and Kodiak Magnums and sold every one.  Folks liked how they looked and how they shot.  These were Bears true work horses and money makers IMO.

[Larry m]

Brought up an earlier post as I think it has some good info on the KH. In my opinion a very under rated nice shooting, nicely priced bow!

[Jon Stewart]

I own a 68 K.H. that dad saved from the store when he closed it down in 68.  He gave it to me when I got home from the Marines in 69. I have killed many deer with that bow.

I had 4 or 5 others, later green models that I bought at yard sales but sold them off.

[elkhunter45]

I've owned 4 of the 73-75 KH's and my current one is a 50# of 1975 vintage. As others have commented about the clubbish handle feel, I did open the throat to fit my hand,cut the shelf down,and add radius to it. I shoot it better than any of the more expensive bows I've tried. I do want a take-down at some point and I will cut it down as well, but until then I do not feel like a 2nd class recurve owner with my KH.

[59Alaskan]

Thanks for all the information!  One day I will pick one up.  I am casually waiting for a 1972 LH in the 40's, but you never know I may cave in and pick up a greenie just to try it some day.

They look like fine bows and definitely many are out there still getting it done!

[damascusdave]

Catalog pricing and information from that era should tell us how that line was placed in Bear's hierarchy...price points were often only 5 or 10 dollars apart yet that represented some rather substantial changes in quality and materials...you can do the same thing today with Bear's catalog

DDave

[59Alaskan]

Dave,
I own one of those Bear catalog CD's.  I looked at 1972 and 1976 real quickly.  They don't have prices but the order of the bows (after take downs and premium target bows) is:
Kodiak
Super Magnum 48
Kodiak Hunter
Kodiak Magnum
then through the others (Super Grizzly, Grizzly etc...)

The order was the same both years.  I would infer this is how Bear placed them in the line up.  In 1976 it talked about how the KH is the same length as Mr. Bear's Kodiak....and had similar design/materials behind it...clearly trying to sell it as a more modest Kodiak

[damascusdave]

Exactly the way I have always seen it except I think you meant to type Super K for the first one

DDave

[59Alaskan]

Yep.  stand corrected.  Thank you Dave.