All you fellow Bear owners...which is your personal favorite? While you answer this I will try to decide myself..LOL!
1968 bear cub 50 lbs 62 inches mint green glass back and white glass belly. Shoots like a dream!
Msturm.
Middle One
(http://i.imgur.com/EGA1Xhe.jpg)
(http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae302/bruinbow/IMG_20150207_115807114_zpsta6asrk7.jpg) (http://s982.photobucket.com/user/bruinbow/media/IMG_20150207_115807114_zpsta6asrk7.jpg.html)
I like all my Bear Bows , this K-Mag is my favorite , and my "A" handle Takedown is a close second .
Without a doubt my Kodiak Deluxe
DDave
1959 Kodiaks
Gil
Type 1 A Riser Custom Kodiak TD.
I love too many of them to list,damn it :biglaugh:
Hard to pick one. This is an old pic. More Bears now rest here.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/11986492_1644928795789774_1002658105257230982_n.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Equismith/media/11986492_1644928795789774_1002658105257230982_n.jpg.html)
I'm a grizzly fan.
I've hunted with many, killed my first deer with a Grizzly many years ago. But the one I enjoyed the most was the Super Kodiak.
62" Grizzly's
Pleasure to shoot, easy to tune, very quiet.
After that 1971/1972 Kodiak Hunter
My 1966 Kodiak shoots as well as any bow out there using a dacron string. My B handle takedown (current production) is a great bow too. Being able to use a quality fury string (tenring strings) makes any bow less harsh to shoot and really optimizes the new takedown. Do not judge it based on the factory string.
What qualities do you guys like about your favorite bear? I have a fondness for k mags because its what my dad had and what I learned on. I liked the lines and compactness but it stacked at my draw length. I haven't had the pleasure of trying other models...yet, and was wondering WHY you like certain bear bows?
Bear 76'r, other than one compound, this is the only model I've owned
would have to say its a tie between my 66 kodiak, 63 griz dogleg, and a nice 40# tigercat.
I said I was a Grizzly fan, but I forgot to mention that I have been messing around with a Bear T/D Mag riser that is darn nice to shoot. :dunno: I guess I like them all.
I have a couple SK's and TD's. My Mag riser TD and my new Bigfoot limbs sure shoots great. Right now it is a favorite. WHY, for me it is the grips. I have shot other recurves that are as good or better in performance but just could not "get a grip". Not all Bear grips are the same as you may realize. My later model SK I modified to be like my 72 SK. Even my wood TD riser had some wood sanded off. I have big hands but not long fingers.
I've been making my own bows for about 6 yrs now, the only trad bow I've ever bought was a Kodiak Magnum 45#, I got it at a flee market over 20 yrs ago, the bow is much older than that and still shoots great,not bad for $10, I will never sell it.
I have a Black Bear 45# bought new in '73 I believe and hadn't used it in well over 30yrs. Back then I had camo painted it and when I decided to give trad a try again a couple months ago I stripped the camo off and the face was yellow and back black. I had forgotten about the yellow and kind of like it on this kinda new to me again bow.
Also have a '69 Little Bear 20# at 24" that brings back memories as my first wood handle bow and took my first game with it - a squirrel that jumped the string into my arrow for a clean head shot!
'67 K Mag 48" 45@28. Same year model as I am, best grip of any bow I've ever handled, killed my first trad deer with it. Keeper.
Well, this has been a tough question for me. My hands-down favorite Bear is my '69 Tamerlane, but since this is a bowhunting site I will stay on task and vote for....
1972/73 Grizzly.
I chose this over my Kodiak Hunter and K-Mag for two reasons...one; the grip is slimmer and more comfortable. Two; it's the only one of the three I've actually hunted with. It's got battle scars from hunts and owners past, but it feels natural carrying into the woods and isn't too long, or too anything, for that matter. Like Baby Bear's porridge, it's "just right"
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7466/15660567858_aaba499700_z.jpg)
I like the 62" Grizzlys because they are forgiving, smooth, easy to tune and exceptionally quiet. I like the Kodiak Hunter for the same reasons
Montana!
It's a toss up between an old Hunter and the few Grizzly's I've had. Shot the Hunter best due to the high wrist grip, seemed like I couldn't miss with it. Ended up giving them all away to newbies that got into shooting, except one old two-tone Grizzly I sold cheap.
Probably my '66 Kodiak but it's a hard choice to pick a favorite when there are more than one Bear in a collection.
I haven't shot that many, but had a few. My favorite is a 57 Kodiak. Light in hand and shoots great. It never fails to put a smile on my face shooting it. One of the few bows that I will not be selling.
1962 grizzly, 1959/60 grizzly.
I'm a Gizzly Guy, and I have a small collection of them!!! All are 1960s early 70s...
That being said, I have wanted a Kodiak T/D for over 40 years. Last summer, I bought a new "A" handle, with 50 pound #1 limbs, from Big Jim! THAT, is my FAVORITE Bear!!!!!
I have/had Grizzlies, a KHunter, a KMag, a SuperMag and done some shooting with a SuperK. All early to mid 70's. Very tough but I think I'll go with the Grizzly
Im a Longbow guy and have owned 4 Bears and shot plenty of others but my 64 Grizzly is my favorite!
A Mag TD would be mine.....with the 3L grip.
1953 K14 is my favorite bear so far,, maybe because it seems so longbowish to me its like a fast longbow but I just love the grip shapes of these old bear K models...
I have only owned two trad bows, a 2016 40# Grizzly, and a 2014 50# Montana. Between the two I enjoy shooting the Montana more, except when it slaps my arm. The Grizzly seems to be easier to hunt with being a little shorter.
Interesting replies thus far. A lot more votes for the vintage Bears than new ones so far!
I don't own any of the new ones. I have shot the Montana. It's a very nice bow.
I would have to say my 1967 1/2 Super Kodiak.
Toss up for me between my 67 kodiak Hunter and my 2013 super kodiak.
A lot of great Bear Archery bows but, a 1960 Kodiak is a cut above the rest as far as I'm concerned.
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa277/DUCK_TRAP/Northwoodsand60Kodiak021.jpg) (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/DUCK_TRAP/media/Northwoodsand60Kodiak021.jpg.html)
QuoteOriginally posted by Captain*Kirk:
Interesting replies thus far. A lot more votes for the vintage Bears than new ones so far!
Well there are a lot of vintage archers on here!
Like so many have said it's really hard to pick just one. I really like my 59 Kodiak, but my 68 Black Beauty is beautiful and me 62 Grizzly shoots like a dream. However if I have to just have one it would be my old 64 Kodiak 64", as it was just a plain joy to shoot plus I shot my biggest buck to date with it :thumbsup:
Wasn't aware Bear made a '64 in 64"
I love the K-Mags.
I think this is a '65.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Archery%20Equipment/06NewYearsEve65KMag.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Killdeer/media/TG%20Uploads/Archery%20Equipment/06NewYearsEve65KMag.jpg.html)
I re-entered archery with a Jeffery Mitey-Mag Classic, and when I found that site which must not be mentioned, I bought a couple K-Mags for backup.
I have gone to hybrid longbows, but aside from the grip angle difference, they shoot as fast as K-Mags. I love a short, fast bow.
I retain a couple of Lady Polars, and some Grizzlies, for different reasons. But the K-Mags always bring a smile.
Killdeer
a grizzly that belonged to my Grandad and has been passed on to me :cool:
I have two takedowns one A-mag and one wood but I killed my first deer in 1974 with a K-mag so I will always have a softspot for that model and still hunt with one today.I sold the orginal 55lb. and replaced it with a 50lb.same year model b/c I shoot the lighter one better at 66 years old.Kip
I like my KD best because I know what I like...I handed it to one of my friends one day and he immediately said the grip was not to his liking...bow preferences are highly individual...and mine change pretty often
DDave
My A riser with number 2 limbs 40 lbs..
My One-Of-a-Kind shortened '59 Grizzly.
I just made an offer on a LH Kodiak in the classifieds...if he takes it that will be my first Bear bow. I had told my wife getting into trad was gonna be cheaper. Y'all are getting me in trouble!!
QuoteOriginally posted by CRM_95:
I just made an offer on a LH Kodiak in the classifieds...if he takes it that will be my first Bear bow. I had told my wife getting into trad was gonna be cheaper. Y'all are getting me in trouble!!
If he takes it, it damn sure won't be your last.
Them things breed like rabbits..
QuoteOriginally posted by Captain*Kirk:
QuoteOriginally posted by CRM_95:
I just made an offer on a LH Kodiak in the classifieds...if he takes it that will be my first Bear bow. I had told my wife getting into trad was gonna be cheaper. Y'all are getting me in trouble!!
If he takes it, it damn sure won't be your last.
Them things breed like rabbits.. [/b]
Haha I bet!! I ended up not being able to get it though..I have a buddy who has a Kodiak in the same poundage. I told him I'd made an offer on one and he let me shoot his. At my DL it was heavier than I expected and had a little finger pinch. Enough to make it uncomfortable at least. I still love the way it looks though. I thought after shooting a 45 lb bow for several moths now a 50 lb bow wouldn't be an issue...I was wrong!!
QuoteOriginally posted by CRM_95:
QuoteOriginally posted by Captain*Kirk:
QuoteOriginally posted by CRM_95:
I just made an offer on a LH Kodiak in the classifieds...if he takes it that will be my first Bear bow. I had told my wife getting into trad was gonna be cheaper. Y'all are getting me in trouble!!
If he takes it, it damn sure won't be your last.
Them things breed like rabbits.. [/b]
Haha I bet!! I ended up not being able to get it though..I have a buddy who has a Kodiak in the same poundage. I told him I'd made an offer on one and he let me shoot his. At my DL it was heavier than I expected and had a little finger pinch. Enough to make it uncomfortable at least. I still love the way it looks though. I thought after shooting a 45 lb bow for several moths now a 50 lb bow wouldn't be an issue...I was wrong!! [/b]
Which Kodiak model was it?
I am a grizzly fan as well but that being said, like Trap, right now I am still fond of my 60 Kodiak and have been for about 3 years.
QuoteOriginally posted by Captain*Kirk:
QuoteOriginally posted by CRM_95:
QuoteOriginally posted by Captain*Kirk:
quote:
Originally posted by CRM_95:
I just made an offer on a LH Kodiak in the classifieds...if he takes it that will be my first Bear bow. I had told my wife getting into trad was gonna be cheaper. Y'all are getting me in trouble!!
If he takes it, it damn sure won't be your last.
Them things breed like rabbits.. [/b]
Haha I bet!! I ended up not being able to get it though..I have a buddy who has a Kodiak in the same poundage. I told him I'd made an offer on one and he let me shoot his. At my DL it was heavier than I expected and had a little finger pinch. Enough to make it uncomfortable at least. I still love the way it looks though. I thought after shooting a 45 lb bow for several moths now a 50 lb bow wouldn't be an issue...I was wrong!! [/b]
Which Kodiak model was it?
It's a 60'' Grayling Super Kodiak 50 lbs@28. I guess at my DL it's probably 53lbs give or take. It's still in the classifieds. The one that I shot was a regular Super Kodiak and not the green model, but same specs. The one in the classifieds is a beautiful bow and the price is right. I can't believe it's still there. I'm good with around 47 or 48 lbs so I'm not sure if the weight made it uncomfortable or my DL was just too long and it stacked. I researched it a lot, some folks said they draw them to 30'' and were fine. It just didn't feel right to me.
I'm partial to my '62 Kodiak but I killed my first deer with a new 1967 Grizzly.
The most comfortable and best shooting bow I have is a 1960 Kodiak Special.
It has very skinny limbs like the painted Wilson Bros. Widows of the same year, and much more narrow than my '59 and '62 K Specials. However, the grip, the arrow speed (similar if not better than my '61 and 62 Kodiaks), are very good and I really like the way it just rocks gently forward after a shot, like it was saying "How'd ya like that".
Why it shoots the same Axis Trads so much better than my '59 K Special, which is the same length and draw weight, I don't know, but it sure does. I never liked skinny limbs, but I sure like that bow.
Best shooting Bear I ever had was my 1963 Tamerlane I bought new with money I made working during Christmas of 1962 when I was in high school. Wouldn't be practical now and would not buy one with its heavy riser, but that was a steady bow that could send those 1616 arrows with 1.75 inch hard plastic vanes down to the 80yd walk up field archery target with no problem.
This is a tough one, because its one winner ,only. The runners up:
1962 Kodiak - a hunting machine.
1962 Kodiak Special - a super model with attitude.
1967 Kodiak Magnum - more hunt in it than a Brittany Spaniel
1969 Kodiak Hunter - tigerwood, black tips,60" of smooth.
Mangonboat's Miss Bear 2016: 1962 Polar. Before the big riser craze, before the dichotomy of bows into hunting and target bows, a 66" leggy blonde beauty that did 50# curls all day long and launched arrows like cruise missiles.
(http://i.imgur.com/8OMTm76.jpg)
Beautiful Zebra wood on that one...!!!!!
Oh man! Mangonboat that is a stunning bow
It is hard to pick only one, but just about all contenders on my list are several models made from 1959-1962.
I like the TDs. Developing a liking for the mag risers. My wood risers are prettier, but the mags are lighter and just seem to feel right.
Had to take my "B" Mag out and shoot it today after reading these post. Neat old bow!!
AuSable. Quiet smooth and fast. Also love the grizzly.