Post by: Petrichor on December 07, 2019, 06:06:19 PM
I have thought more than once of selling all the customs and just having a few old bears. Let's see some pics. This bow is special. I hand picked it when I visited RMS gear in person. I went there to buy a kmag. This bow was right behind it and grabbed it for comparison. Glad I did. Left the kmag on the shelf.
As you can see from the pics. Everytime I get a bow down the phrase "I wanna shoo" echos throughout the house, as three of four kids want to shoot (four is a baby). Even the two year old can shoot his little pup unassisted. To quote one of my favorite books " So long as the new moon returns in heaven a bent beautiful bow, so long will the fascination of archery keep hold of the hearts of men."
My house is proof of this.
D
Post by: mahantango on December 07, 2019, 06:25:04 PM
Post by: Petrichor on December 07, 2019, 06:32:28 PM
Have a '55 Grizzly static that I like to hunt with from time to time.
Nice! Any pics? Been awhile bout time we had a bear thread.
Post by: McDave on December 07, 2019, 07:08:56 PM
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Post by: Captain*Kirk on December 07, 2019, 10:03:53 PM
This year was the first I hunted with my old K-Mag, past few seasons all involved my old Grizzly! I've also got a K-Hunter but the 60" length is a little longer than I prefer for a ground blind.
Love those old Bears...there is a lot of mystique, magic and mojo in shooting bows with unknown history, some nearly as old as me!
My most recent bow purchase is a 1964 Tamerlane. As I hold it I wonder if it was being built in November of '63 when the country was electrified by the assassination of John F. Kennedy...my '69 Tamerlane...was it being build when Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon? How many hunting stories would my Grizzly and Kodiaks tell if they could talk?
Something about old bows, and especially old Bears, that calls to me. :archer2:
Post by: TIM B on December 08, 2019, 05:51:50 AM
Tim B
Post by: Petrichor on December 08, 2019, 08:05:25 AM
Post by: 8upss on December 08, 2019, 09:10:34 AM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191208/ff9997a4aaeda652e9e20eb87804cf8c.jpg)
‘59 Bear Alaskan.
I’ve posted here about the bow and my first deer taken with it.
My Dad bought it when I was a baby.
Page from the’59 Bear catalogue.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191208/0877de52cb46e9885a2ada7a2aefb6e7.jpg)
First deer ever taken with it, at the age of 59 (both of us).
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191208/6d88a833044a183af97646b746f1c1e3.jpg)
Post by: The-Crow on December 08, 2019, 01:05:19 PM
Maybe someone can tell me about this Grizzly
47# serial number 7R11192
Post by: The-Crow on December 08, 2019, 01:08:02 PM
I assume 66 and 67 by first #
Post by: Jon Stewart on December 08, 2019, 01:46:29 PM
Post by: Homey88 on December 08, 2019, 02:01:47 PM
Post by: McDave on December 08, 2019, 02:45:44 PM
McDave that dogleg is awesome!
Yes it is! For me it is the best shooter of the bunch.
Post by: arrow30 on December 08, 2019, 03:48:21 PM
>>>--- 56"- 69' grizzly- 53@28--->
(https://i.imgur.com/kHfF6Ln.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wzcCHZO.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/OrvIg5V.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HMX7eIF.jpg?1)
Post by: mangonboat on December 08, 2019, 08:05:42 PM
Post by: Petrichor on December 08, 2019, 08:10:09 PM
My primary hunting bow this fall was a 1956 Kodiak, 59# at my draw. I shoot lefty and righty and actually switched sides one morning when a doe came from a different direction than I expected, but I ended up letting her pass...fawn in tow. Here's a trail cam pic that caught me walking in one morning with the Kodiak.
Good looking bows yall keep them coming. Kirk. Pic of your tamerlanes needs to make it on this thread.
Post by: Captain*Kirk on December 08, 2019, 09:59:27 PM
RIGHT: 1969 Tamerlane HC-300, 35#@ 28. 69" AMO
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4524/38532742466_444e789b05_z.jpg)
HC-300 on the 3D range.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/1674/26657063241_7817022613_z.jpg)
Post by: Captain*Kirk on December 08, 2019, 10:06:38 PM
BOTTOM: Kodiak Hunter, 45@28 60" AMO
(https://live.staticflickr.com/8022/28974000372_fbca9195ca_z.jpg)
'71 Grizzly, 45@28, 58"AMO
(https://live.staticflickr.com/8550/29523429735_3150e60b27_z.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/8201/29443116251_1336688ef9_z.jpg)
Yeah, it does OK at 25 yards.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/8410/29442621051_d76ee4824a_z.jpg)
Post by: doubleo on December 09, 2019, 08:18:32 PM
Post by: Petrichor on December 10, 2019, 02:51:56 PM
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 10, 2019, 03:09:27 PM
Post by: Petrichor on December 10, 2019, 03:13:34 PM
I must say. Im pretty bewitched by the tigercat I must say.... Cant believe the model didnt stick around. I suppose it was too similar to the popular grizzly.
Post by: Captain*Kirk on December 10, 2019, 03:27:40 PM
Post by: Captain*Kirk on December 10, 2019, 03:29:45 PM
Post by: OkKeith on December 10, 2019, 05:02:51 PM
Keith
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Post by: Petrichor on December 10, 2019, 05:13:30 PM
Post by: Captain*Kirk on December 10, 2019, 07:25:40 PM
Post by: Duncan on December 10, 2019, 08:48:10 PM
My primary hunting bow this fall was a 1956 Kodiak, 59# at my draw. I shoot lefty and righty and actually switched sides one morning when a doe came from a different direction than I expected, but I ended up letting her pass...fawn in tow. Here's a trail cam pic that caught me walking in one morning with the Kodiak.
OK, am I not the only one that sees the huge buck watching Mangonboat walking along in the pic? :knothead:
I also have a 59 Alaskan and a 70's something Grizzly that I took deer with.
Post by: OkKeith on December 10, 2019, 08:54:27 PM
You are welcome to use that photo to get yourself in as much trouble as you would like!
Might as well add... "And he says there are more takedowns on a shelf in the closet".
Keith
Post by: stevem on December 11, 2019, 11:44:48 PM
Was impressed at how well the Kodiak shoots for me. When younger I could not afford a Bear bow, which I considered the holy grail at the time. They haven't lost their appeal.
Post by: SlowBowKing on December 12, 2019, 01:24:33 AM
I’ve got an old #42 Bear Polar. Not sure what year it is or it’s history at all. In fact, I’ve never shot it. It was left to be by my dad, who “inherited” it from his best friend a couple of years before. When I was a kid the three of us all leased a big farm to hunt. It’s where I killed my first deer and learned most everything I know about hunting. Spent the best years of my life there on that plot of ground. Now my dad and his buddy are gone, and the landowner is too.
Oh yeah, back to bows...gotta love those old Bears! Think I’ll pull the Polar out after hunting season and see what it’ll do.
Post by: Petrichor on December 12, 2019, 01:50:43 AM
Duncan, good eye!
I’ve got an old #42 Bear Polar. Not sure what year it is or it’s history at all. In fact, I’ve never shot it. It was left to be by my dad, who “inherited” it from his best friend a couple of years before. When I was a kid the three of us all leased a big farm to hunt. It’s where I killed my first deer and learned most everything I know about hunting. Spent the best years of my life there on that plot of ground. Now my dad and his buddy are gone, and the landowner is too.
Oh yeah, back to bows...gotta love those old Bears! Think I’ll pull the Polar out after hunting season and see what it’ll do.
Let us know how she does!
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 12, 2019, 07:56:17 AM
I believed they called the plunger a Burger Button back then..
Post by: Captain*Kirk on December 12, 2019, 01:34:39 PM
That bow above and here below came stock with the plunger button and a flipper magnetic rest.
I believed they called the plunger a Burger Button back then..
Really nice, Roy! Great looking riser!
There's something to be said for owning and shooting a bow that is more than half a century old. You can't help wondering who owned it, what trophies it has taken, and how many lives it has touched. It's also a real eye opener when you realize these bows have not only outlived Fred Bear and Nels Grumley, but also the Grayling factory and very likely the majority of the people who worked there who built them.
It humbling, to say the least.
Post by: Petrichor on December 12, 2019, 02:25:55 PM
That bow above and here below came stock with the plunger button and a flipper magnetic rest.
I believed they called the plunger a Burger Button back then..
Really nice, Roy! Great looking riser!
There's something to be said for owning and shooting a bow that is more than half a century old. You can't help wondering who owned it, what trophies it has taken, and how many lives it has touched. It's also a real eye opener when you realize these bows have not only outlived Fred Bear and Nels Grumley, but also the Grayling factory and very likely the majority of the people who worked there who built them.
It humbling, to say the least.
Great point kirk. My bow is about to turn 50. Kinda crazy my bow is far older than me
Post by: cacciatore on December 12, 2019, 02:30:52 PM
Post by: Petrichor on December 12, 2019, 02:33:27 PM
There is something Mystical to hunt with a vintage Bear is like sharing your hunt with unknown Bowhunters of the past. Plus they are as good as any customs and they are so smooth and quiet.
Literally quietest bow I have.
Post by: Garman on December 12, 2019, 03:12:35 PM
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 12, 2019, 04:26:40 PM
She has put a lot of deer on the ground, her first deer was in 1973......
https://youtu.be/O3apvrel1yo
Post by: Petrichor on December 12, 2019, 04:27:38 PM
I bought that Bear takedown new in 1972:)Absolutely beautiful. How has take down system held up over years?
She has put a lot of deer on the ground...
Post by: Ronnie Newell on December 12, 2019, 04:27:55 PM
Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk
Post by: Petrichor on December 12, 2019, 04:29:28 PM
My '69 50# Tigercat that I usually hunt with. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191212/9df37a6e8e91bda2c5c1cad028266bfe.jpg)Another beautiful tigercat
Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 12, 2019, 05:21:32 PM
Latches still work like new.
Post by: Doublegun on December 12, 2019, 06:34:56 PM
Post by: Petrichor on December 12, 2019, 07:20:55 PM
When I was a kid I would look at the Bears hanging in the rack at the local sporting goods store and look forward to the day I was strong enough to hunt with one. They weren’t just bows, they were works of art. My dad ended up giving me a beautiful Been Pearson “Hunter” for my birthday in 1975 (also a beautiful bow) but the old Bears have always been special. Someday I’ll find one with multiple different woods in the riser pulling ~ 50#’s and I’ll buy it.
Although I dont date back to the 70s but my story is much the same. I dreamed of the day that I would get my first grizzly and it was all I hoped for. Then the custom bug bit me and I have been trending back to these beautiful and reliable bows. I like my customs but except for one do not hold the special place in my heart.
Post by: Doublegun on December 12, 2019, 07:36:44 PM
Thanks.
JDG
Post by: Petrichor on December 12, 2019, 07:38:49 PM
Enjoy.
Was just looking at the bear 1970 catalog for my tiger cat and I found something interesting. It says the draw weight was at 28 inches from front of the shelf. I draw 26 from back of shelf good info to know for arrow ordering.
Post by: Captain*Kirk on December 12, 2019, 09:07:07 PM
Dave, thanks for that link! I could get lost in there for days. :campfire:
Post by: Doublegun on December 13, 2019, 07:24:40 PM
Post by: Petrichor on December 13, 2019, 07:29:10 PM
Post by: Petrichor on December 13, 2019, 07:29:35 PM
It couldn't hurt, especially on a 50-year old bow, to scale it and see what it actually pulls today rather than just assuming its still " 50@28". It's wood, after all.
Dave, thanks for that link! I could get lost in there for days. :campfire:
Me too Kirk.
Post by: Paul/KS on December 14, 2019, 07:12:36 AM
My '69 50# Tigercat that I usually hunt with. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191212/9df37a6e8e91bda2c5c1cad028266bfe.jpg)
Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk
Looks just like the one that I still have. :thumbsup:
Post by: Dave Pagel on December 14, 2019, 07:15:08 AM
D.P.
Post by: Doublegun on December 14, 2019, 08:18:34 AM
Thank you for posting a link to the old catalogues. It was exactly what I was looking for.
Best,
Jay
Post by: Petrichor on December 14, 2019, 03:37:30 PM
Post by: Sam McMichael on December 14, 2019, 04:33:39 PM
Post by: Bryan Bondurant on December 14, 2019, 05:09:09 PM
The pictures and stories about old bows were great, just wishing I still had some the ones that passed through my hands over the years, a couple were left in a hunting camp in Alaska.
Post by: Huntschool on December 14, 2019, 05:25:56 PM
Post by: kopfjaeger on December 14, 2019, 05:52:26 PM
Post by: The-Crow on December 14, 2019, 05:54:44 PM
http://www.vintagearchery.org/catalogs-by-year.html
Enjoy.
Was just looking at the bear 1970 catalog for my tiger cat and I found something interesting. It says the draw weight was at 28 inches from front of the shelf. I draw 26 from back of shelf good info to know for arrow ordering.
The-Crow
Thanks for sharing that site!!! Now I know the Bear Kodiak Magnum that I picked up Friday is very likely a ‘72 model!
Also interesting that they are scaled from the front of the shelf! Am I wrong in saying my 27.5” draw make this 45lbs bow scale more like a 47-48 pound bow from the back of the grip?
Post by: kopfjaeger on December 14, 2019, 06:00:35 PM
Post by: Petrichor on December 14, 2019, 06:26:27 PM
http://www.vintagearchery.org/catalogs-by-year.html
Enjoy.
Was just looking at the bear 1970 catalog for my tiger cat and I found something interesting. It says the draw weight was at 28 inches from front of the shelf. I draw 26 from back of shelf good info to know for arrow ordering.
The-Crow
Thanks for sharing that site!!! Now I know the Bear Kodiak Magnum that I picked up Friday is very likely a ‘72 model!
Also interesting that they are scaled from the front of the shelf! Am I wrong in saying my 27.5” draw make this 45lbs bow scale more like a 47-48 pound bow from the back of the grip?
Technically I would say yes it would likely be the heavier weight however theae bears are old and they may not have as much pull as they used to. It would be impossible to tell what you're actually pulling without putting it on a bowscale. But yes since they were originally measured from the front of shelf at 28 and you draw 27.5 from the rear technically you'd be drawing a couple more pounds. Though how much I dont know.
Post by: Petrichor on December 14, 2019, 06:27:12 PM
My favorite is my 1984 factory camouflage Bear Kodiak Takedown, 60#@28".That's amazing. Loving this thread.
Post by: The-Crow on December 14, 2019, 08:58:01 PM
Post by: Homey88 on December 14, 2019, 09:20:14 PM
Post by: Homey88 on December 14, 2019, 09:21:03 PM
Post by: Petrichor on December 14, 2019, 09:21:53 PM
A dog leg grizzly that I wish I never got rid of.
That's a beauty
Post by: Doublegun on December 14, 2019, 09:46:56 PM
Post by: McDave on December 14, 2019, 10:29:15 PM
Ive had some bad luck with old bows, mostly from moving around and drying them out. Im pretty good with wood and old guitars, as far as storage and even repair. Whats the ideal moisture and temperature to store bows at? Do you store them in a special hydrated closet or something in a dry climate
I’m not an expert in this, by any means, but I have had good luck keeping my ’59 Kodiak indoors in my house in a room where I keep all my bows for many years. It never gets above about 80* in the summer, or cooler than maybe 58* in the winter. This thread made me want to take her out, dust her off, and fire a few arrows. Not a scratch or a crack in the finish on her. In the nearby garage, it gets up to 130* in the summer and is very dry, not Mojave desert dry, but dry. I’m sure it wouldn’t last a summer in there. The only thing I had to do was to replace the feather rest, which was falling apart.
Post by: Homey88 on December 14, 2019, 10:39:35 PM
Post by: Captain*Kirk on December 14, 2019, 11:33:47 PM
Kirk;
Thank you for posting a link to the old catalogues. It was exactly what I was looking for.
Best,
Jay
That was Dave (Petrichor) who provided the link. Big round of applause for it, too!
Post by: TIM B on December 15, 2019, 08:35:36 AM
Post by: TIM B on December 15, 2019, 08:36:22 AM
Tim B
Post by: kopfjaeger on December 15, 2019, 09:27:40 AM
Post by: tippit on December 15, 2019, 05:27:31 PM
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Post by: Petrichor on December 15, 2019, 05:38:24 PM
Post by: The-Crow on December 15, 2019, 06:09:20 PM
Post by: Huntschool on December 15, 2019, 07:00:34 PM
Should have bought it. Not that much difference between 45 and 50. At our shooting distances with good arrows and broadheads a pass through is easy. I have gone down in weight because of conditions and have not found the lower poundage to be restrictive.
Just sayin....
Post by: reddogge on December 15, 2019, 07:12:13 PM
Post by: Petrichor on December 15, 2019, 07:13:25 PM
This 1967 Grizzly was special because I took my first deer with it in 1969. I bought it new. The Bear Microflights were the second set of arrows I had for it, the first set was POC and all were lost or broken by 1969. I remember waiting at home during the time leading up to my first child's birth (Dr.s did that back then, sent you home to wait} and sharpening the 6 Bear Razorheads.
That's special you still hunt with it?
Post by: Bvas on December 16, 2019, 07:56:56 AM
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Post by: Doublegun on December 16, 2019, 11:35:29 AM
Post by: The-Crow on December 19, 2019, 06:30:45 PM
Kodiak Magnum I picked up this week 45# nice little shooter
Post by: Petrichor on December 19, 2019, 06:33:12 PM
Post by: The-Crow on December 19, 2019, 06:33:30 PM
Post by: The-Crow on December 19, 2019, 06:34:12 PM
Post by: kopfjaeger on December 19, 2019, 10:15:38 PM
Post by: Butch Speer on December 20, 2019, 10:33:36 AM
67 1/2 kodiak hunter 58 inch model.
Homey, have one just like it. Great bow.
Post by: Homey88 on December 20, 2019, 10:19:43 PM
Post by: Captain*Kirk on December 20, 2019, 10:56:24 PM
67 1/2 kodiak hunter 58 inch model.
Homey, have one just like it. Great bow.
I have the 60". Tack driver with the right arrows!
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on December 21, 2019, 07:51:41 AM
This year I hunted exclusively with the 60 kodiak. Boy I like that bow.
I saw the big buck in the photo from the first page after it was mentioned. Funny pic.
Post by: tippit on December 21, 2019, 09:49:08 AM
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Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on December 21, 2019, 12:38:18 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on December 21, 2019, 12:44:43 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on December 21, 2019, 12:52:58 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on December 21, 2019, 12:54:10 PM
Post by: McDave on December 22, 2019, 02:31:06 PM
Post by: Petrichor on December 22, 2019, 02:48:40 PM
Post by: Babbling Bob on December 22, 2019, 03:45:32 PM
Post by: JD Covey on November 07, 2020, 03:43:44 PM
Jason
Post by: Sam McMichael on November 07, 2020, 04:16:41 PM
Post by: JD Covey on November 07, 2020, 07:13:15 PM
Thanks for the response guys
Jason
Post by: Babbling Bob on November 07, 2020, 07:49:13 PM
Post by: Babbling Bob on November 07, 2020, 07:59:03 PM
Post by: JD Covey on November 07, 2020, 08:05:25 PM
Post by: Sky-chief on November 07, 2020, 08:08:37 PM
Post by: TIM B on November 08, 2020, 09:08:14 AM
Tim B
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Post by: woodchucker on November 08, 2020, 09:43:09 PM
I've killed deer with all but the Tigercat, and Stag Hunter. I used to use one bow, until I killed a deer with it, Then change to another. That changed (for now?) 5 years ago when I got my Kodiak T/D. :archer:
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 12, 2020, 05:54:02 PM
Anybody still hunting with their old Bear bows
Jason
Mostly just tree stand hunting :biglaugh:
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 12, 2020, 05:59:39 PM
Post by: woodchucker on November 12, 2020, 08:03:31 PM
Btw, It still does..... :thumbsup:
Post by: JD Covey on November 12, 2020, 09:03:37 PM
Anybody still hunting with their old Bear bows
Jason
Mostly just tree stand hunting :biglaugh:
That’s a good’n!
Post by: Cookie125 on December 05, 2020, 11:28:00 PM
Had my grandpa's 64 Kodiak out today.
Post by: woodchucker on December 06, 2020, 08:36:16 AM
There's just something special about shooting a family heirloom :archer:
Post by: bowkill146 on December 06, 2020, 09:41:23 PM
I have a Kodiak Hunter as well as a Panda that I hope to give a shot to maybe next season. It’s fun to give these old bows another taste of the hunt!
Post by: Cookie125 on December 07, 2020, 06:54:05 PM
That's a beautiful looking bow, Kyle!!! I'm sure your Grandpa's smiling!!
There's just something special about shooting a family heirloom :archer:
I think that as excited as I get taking a deer with that bow he might get more excited. My first deer with that bow was a very similar deer and story as his so its pretty special for us.
Bowkill thats pretty cool deal for $10. I have a 73 Kodiak magnum, I remember when my grandpa found it at a garage sale, he called me asking if I had $5 and to not spend it. So he bought it and brought it home to me and I paid him the $5 for it lol.
Post by: TIM B on December 10, 2020, 07:17:06 PM
59 bear polar I just got hunt ready
Tim B
Post by: woodchucker on December 11, 2020, 12:51:44 PM