Bear Montana vs. Howard Hill Bow....Your Thoughts Please...

[TSP]

Nala, what bow specs are you looking for in a Hill?  I have one that may interest you.

[NorthShoreLB]

[Orion]

Yeah.  I'd vote for the Hill as well.  Much better bow.  One thing to keep in mind re the kits.  Though you may end up with just as good a bow as one built entirely by HH, it won't keep it's resale value like an original Hill.  You said you shot a critter gitter in the past.  Why are you not considering that now?  It's among the best bows out there, IMO.  Somewhat more expensive than a Hill though.

[Nala]

I'd love to have another Critter Getter but the budget ain't that high.  Sadly they are priced WAY out of my league.

Nala

[BillJ]

I am going to Bass Pro over the weekend to try out a Bear Montana longbow.  

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but it is drifting down on the list now, so maybe it's ok.  

I visited Bass Pro in Michigan recently, with the intention of shooting a couple of bows - Montana being one of them.  But they wouldn't let me shoot any of the bows - said it was against company policy.  They said this with a straight face while I leaned up against the window into their indoor shooting range!  I've had no such issues with Cabelas - they always let me shoot - but not Bass Pro.  

I'll buy a used bow without shooting it, because the price is right... or a custom bow that is built just for me... but I can't see buying a production bow at list price without at least trying it first.

So did you get to shoot at Bass Pro?  Maybe I just look like somebody they can't trust?  Or is this the normal policy at this store?  

BillJ

[Nala]

I have been there 2 times since I have been here in Southern Florida.  The first time there were people in the rnage shooting and I couldn't tell if they were shooting their own compound or one from Bass Pro.  I did see that most all of the compounds on the hangers had a zip tie looking thing on the string so that you couldn't draw the bow.  I asked the guy working if I could shoot the trad bows they have and he said "sure, no problem."  Since the compound shooter showed no sign of slowing down and it was getting late I knew I wouldn't get to shoot that night.  I did ask him to string the Savannah so I could see how it looked and felt and he obliged.

The 2nd time was the other day and they didn't have a Montana that was in my weight range.  I can't shoot more than 45 or 46 pounds and they had a 55 pounder out.  I didn't want to ask him to go and get a 45 pounder and let me shoot it only to hand it back to him and say "thanks for letting me try it," and walk out of the store.

I have no doubt that if I wanted to shoot any of their trad bows they would've let me.  Maybe you just ran into a nut.

I still don't know what bow I want.

Nala

[bowbert]

Hill guys, forgive me.  

I have never shot a Hill.  I do, however, have a few other custom longbows (D shaped).  Still, I have found the Bear Montana to be one of the nicest bows I've ever shot.  It isn't comparable to the Hill because of it's shape, and the fact that it not a custom bow (plus the Hill mojo might trump the Bear mojo since the move to FL).

The Montana IMHO an incredible shooter for a slight r/d 64" bow.  The finish and details would not make it a work of "art", but the shootability of the Montana isn't impacted by that...and the price...hard to beat the value in my eyes.  

bowbert