Shooting old Bear bows..

[USN_Sam1385]

Acquired a 64 Bear Grizzly Recurve in zebra wood about 4 months ago. It was originally from Al Reader's collection. 46 # @ 28". Since then, I haven't even touched my longbow. The recurve is much slower but something about it keeps me from wanting to shoot anything else. Just feels right in my hand...

Anyone else get this way with the old Bear bows???

[Big Bird]

Yep that's all I shoot is old Bears.and have over 50 of them.And last year I killed my doe with my 64 zebra Grizzly.

[damascusdave]

I have 9 Bear bows from the 60's and would happily hunt with any of them...just that I have other newer bows that I like better for hunting...my favourite shooter though is my 64 inch 1960 Kodiak...cannot imagine a nicer bow to shoot

DDave

[woodchucker]

There's just something about an old Grizzly.....

I had quite a few of them years ago. In 1996 I bought a 1967 Kodiak Mag and a 1969 Grizzly for my oldest son Kevin. In 2007, I won a 1967 Grizzly at the JLMBH St. Jude's raffle. Killed a spikehorn with it that fall. Now, My youngest son Tyler is hunting with his brother's Grizzly, and I've hunted with my 67 every year since I've won it. I have other "custom" bows... But I rarely if ever shoot them.

[vtmtnman]

I have a 75 grizzly that shoots so good for me.Was going to use my 'tip again this year but decided on the old girl instead.Was my first bow to boot.

[hedgerowhuntr]

I had the same thing happen to myself. A recent dive through the dumpsters turned up a very good condition vintage Kodiak Magnum that I can't seem to put down! The more I shoot it the more I want to shoot it, now here's where things get interesting, not only do I enjoy shooting it, but I honestly shoot it pretty good, so now I'm back at the beginning again, wanting to shoot it all the time!  

[Widow's Son]

I have a 2000 Black Widow MAII hanging on my wall next to my 1969 Bear Super K. As you would guess the old Super K gets shot a lot more than the Widow. I love both bows but there's just something about those old Grayling Bears. One thing that ain't right is that while the Widow cost between $800 and $900 I picked the Bear up at a pawn shop for $50. I actually talked the guy down from $55. The Bear is #45 and 64" long, smooth as silk. Got a complete pass thru on a doe last year using original Bear cedars and razorheads. These bows deserve to be shot and hunted with IMHO.

[birddogdoc]

I like all bows...but can't help being in love with the 60's and 70's Bear bows with my favorite ones being a 1961 & 1967 kmag.

[NIGEL01]

I've shot lots of different custom and vintage bows, but I always go back to my 72 K'Mag.  I did just get a brand new 59' Kodiak, but she's so pretty I'm scared to shoot her.

[maineac]

I got a "61 Kmag this winter and shot it through may.  I enjoyed shooting it and it shot great.  The grip was fantastic and It was plenty fast and powerful after 52 years.  I am shooting another bow to roatate through.  If I get a deer early with the current up to bat, I may pick up the Kmag to see what it will do.

[Blackhawk]

After more than 50 years, folks are still appreciating Mr. Bear's bows while others are just now finding out what they have been missing.

[damascusdave]

I hunt with a 1960 Kodiak that I paid about a grand for...bows are tools to shoot...not just art forms to look at...that bow will spit a 9 gpp arrow at 185 fps

DDave

[59Alaskan]

Bear, Pearson, Howatt, Wing, Shakespeare and others all made quality bows that "fit" with a large percentage of archers.  

They fit just as well today as they did then.

Was just out earlier shooting a 1962 Grizzly.  At 40# (good for cold weather tree stand sits) and cream colored limbs she just may make it in a tree stand this winter.

[stabow]

Got to love thows old Bears and the new ones aren't bad either

[Ric O'Shay]

While I have a stable full of longbows that I usually hunt with, but I've decided they will stay home this season and I'm taking my 59' Kodiak Special to the field. I know the K Specials are not as sought after as the other Bear models, but the Special has always occupied a "special" place in my heart. This one is now sporting a new feather rest thanks to Trap. At 64" and 55# @ 28", I don't believe any white tail critter will be able to stand up to it. Now if I can just keep from scratching it.
 
 
 

My pics don't do it justice, but maybe Fred will go along with me this fall and make things right.

 

Danny

[USN_Sam1385]

Speaking of old bears. What arrow set up have you all found to be favorable? I am currently shooting GT 5575s cut to 29 inches with a 100 gr. Brass insert and 175 gr. Points. Makes for a fairly heavy arrow but tunes to my bow. However, I have noticed that the arrows seem very slow. As I stated, the arrows tune to the bow. I think that I might benefit by going with a 3555 shaft and reducing point weight as well. Would lighten the arrow up significantly...

What have you all found the old recurves seem to favor?? Heavy arrow or lighter? I know speed isnt everything, but maybe im trying too push an arrow that is too heavy for 45 lbs...

thoughts?

[59Alaskan]

I find 3555's work great with the 45# or so old Bears.

I prefer wood though.

I would think 5575's are spined too heavy for a 45# bow with the shelf cut the way bears typically are.

I do have a 53# Grizzly that highly favors 5575's. I draw over 29" though and still put a fair amount I weight up front.

[Phil Magistro]

I've always had a couple of old Bear bows but, over the past few years, have sold off most of my modern bows and focused on using the Bears.  I hunted last year with a 1960 Kodiak.  This year will likely switch to a takedown.  It's a newer bubinga riser but the limbs are old red tips.

[Ray Lyon]

I use a 1971 Super K and a 1962 Kodiak Magnum.  The Kmag is a real sleeper.   Quiet and fast and it's still going strong after 51 years!

[Ric O'Shay]

I shoot only cedar arrows out of my K Special. 55/60 cut at 28.5" bop. They weigh in at 540gr. At just under 10gr/in they are both fast and quiet. Don't have any carbons and not sure I'd want to shoot them if I did.