Bear Grizzly Questions

[Lakeshooter]

Well I have an itch for a new bow and you know how that is. I am young and hopefully have a lot of shooting time left. I recently had the idea of picking one consistent bow (like a grizzly) and shooting only that for years to come. I read if you use the same bow/ platform you will become more profficient than if you switch bows around.

For the Bear shooters out there, are there any limitations of shooting a grizzly for any type of wild game or 3d tournaments once comfortable with it and using the proper bow weight.

I feel out of the loop for not having some sort of bear in my extremely small collection for their popularity, reputation, and price. I got the chance to shoot a friends a while back and have really liked it.
 My most recent bow has been a quinn stallion. And after shooting the grizzly and the quinn, I have come to realize you dont need a $1000 to have a great shooting bow.  Being in college I am limited on resources or I would love to have a brand new custom bocote/cocobolo recurve or longbow. I have no doubt in my mind i will own one or two down the road.

One of the main advantages I see of having a custom bow compared to the bear other than the exotic wood is the speed.  What do you think of the super grizzly? Have you shot any new bears? I have also considered ilf to have a consistent feel. Thanks!

[Marc B.]

The Grizzly is a cool bow that is a well proven design. The new Bears are good solid bows and I own a B takedown.

If I was looking for a Grizzly I would get a Grayling bow, they just have Mojo. There is 55# Grizzly in the classifieds now. You can save a bunch of money going vintage on a Grizzly.

[threeunder]

Nothing at all wrong with the Grizzly.

But, if you're going to have just one Bear, I would go with the Super Kodiak or a Kodiak Magnum...letting your preference for a longer or shorter bow make the decision.

Its really just personal preference.  If I were to own only one Bear (and I'm actually thinking about getting rid of all of mine, but one) it would be the K-Mag.

Best case scenario would be to shoot each and pick the one that really trips your trigger.

[DVSHUNTER]

If I ever have a slump in my shooting, I pick up my 1965 grizzly and start driving home the arrows. Something about those old grizzies.  Definitely buy one used. I wouldn't pay over 175 for one either. You can't beat em.

[Red Beastmaster]

Back when the Grizzlys were made in Michigan they had a much nicer grip. These newer Florida bows are way too thin in the throat and set your hand too far from the shelf. That's what happens when you get in a hurry.

I had a FL Grizzly and tried everything, including tape, to reshape the grip. I sold it and bought a $150 '72 green and brown beauty that fits my hand better than my $1000 custom recurve that I waited 2-1/2 years for. I shoot both bows equally well too.

If you are looking to find a bow that will be your main weapon for years to come................GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!    I found "the one" at least a dozen times so far! LOL

[Lakeshooter]

Haha thank you very much for the advice, used sounds the way too go! I'll keep my eye open for a good 50-55# after hunting season

[59Alaskan]

great bows at a reasonable price!  Highly under rated in my opinion.  Old ones can be found in 62", 58" and 56" depending on the year.  My personal favorites are the 62" models which range from 1950 something  - 1963.  But I have had more than one of the shorter ones that were/are just plain sweet.

I too have a 1965 that is just awesome.

[Phrogdrvr]

My 1950-something 62" 57# Grizzly is a TACK DRIVER, as is my mid-1970s 58" 70# Grizzly.  I think the older one is quieter, but that is probably because I haven't set up the young one optimally.

Tom

[heydeerman]

A year ago this time I owned not one Bear bow. I have 3 Grizzly's on the rack now. Awesome under-rated bow.

[Bluefeather]

The Super Grizzly is a great shooting bow and my personal favorite short bow.I paid $60 for mine,it pulls 48# at 29" and shoots 2016's almost as well as my $700 custom bow.Happy hunting!

[dad]

You would be happy with either Grayling or new production. I would look at the Super Grizzly. My daughter has one of the new ones and she really likes it.

[YORNOC]

Grizzlies have dropped many an animal throughout the years. I love the 64? zebrawood. I had one 55# but sold it, I prefer longer recurves. Wished I still had it for you to try.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Personally I LOVE the grizzly line up.  I have yet to find one that doesnt shoot well for me.   In fact I have been selling my Kodiaks over the grizzlies as of late.

I agree the older ones are just wayyyy cooler.

[Lakeshooter]

Awesome, I would love to get a decent price grizzly, is the best time to buy right after season?

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Jonathan, when ever you see a good deal is the time to buy.    

Keep your eye out, you will find one.

[Gila Mike]

There is a lot to be said for having and shooting just one bow. And a vintage Bear Grizzly is an excellent choice.

Good Luck!
Mike

[Benny74]

Your question about using the same bow for years is a good point.  All of the expert bow shooters insist that to be consistent in our shots we must duplicate as much of the shooting elements as possible every time.  This is no different than in golf or rifle shots or many other things.  That implies that if anything in our system changes then it has the potential to throw everything off.  

All of that is to say that yes, shooting the same bow for many years with the same arrows and everything else the same should be better than jumping around every other year.  

Success in instinctive shooting is about training our body to automatically adjust for the shot.  That is why it is so darn fun to do!

If we change equipment every other year, would that not prevent our body and our mind from every truly adapting for the perfect shot?

The best solution may be that once you perfect your stance and your bow muscles then you could select the best small collection of bows you can afford and use them for the next decade.  The same goes for the arrows and other equipment you use.  

The whole goal is to have the whole system be as instinctive and as automatic as it can be.  That only comes out of years of practice and experience with the same tools in hand to master that set of tools.

The Grayling Grizzlies are great, but if you are planning on shooting just one bow for years to come, get a new Super Kodiak. I have a friend that has shot two super Kodiaks since the early 70s, when he went out to finally get a new bow a few years back, he bought an identical weight Super Kodiak. The best shot I ever made on a deer was with a Super Kodiak and I am primarily a longbow shooter.