Just got my Bear Montana Longbow from 3Rivers yesterday.  This is the first new bow I've ever owned since I got that fiberglass recurve about 40 years ago.

I was shooting a used 40# Martin recurve that the lamination's finally let go of in the grip. That was 10 or 15 years ago.

I started shooting wheel bows a few years ago and as much fun as that was it is not as much fun as shooting traditional, so I've switched back.

I've recently been shooting my youngest sons 40# Bear Kodiak Hunter recurve. I like that bow a lot and have shot 4 racoons and killed 2 racoons with that bow and some judo points. My youngest also has a 30# fiberglass longbow that I've been playing with and I like it a lot too, its really quiet.

But yesterday I got my package unpacked it and braced it, took my target into the front yard and at 15 yards put the first arrow off the shelf into the center of the bulls-eye.  The second arrow was scraping the paint off of the first arrow.  The third arrow was just about an inch to the right and I know that was me not the bow.

Everything I've read over the years about the Bear Montana Longbow is true.  First thing I noticed was absolutely no sound upon releasing the arrow.  Second was the clean pull with no stacking or creep in the pull and again no noise at all except the arrow hitting the target.

I think I'm hooked on the longbow for now and maybe forever.

Bulletpusher

Welcome to the addiction!  Good stuff right there.  Being able to share it with the family makes it even that much better.

K.C.

Sounds Good, Enjoy!  

My first trad whitetail was with my Montana and gave it then to my adult son.
What a great value!
For 3 bills what more could you ask for?

The Montana is a great factory bow.  Forgiving and does what its supposed to.  Not a screamer by any means, but with a fastflight string will do great.  The guys who criticize them are comparing apples to oranges.  I enjoyed mine and recently passed it on.  Great for a newbie to longbows.

PS:  longbows are where its at, pretty soon you'll do like I and so many others did and try Hill style longs, and after that English longs and selfbows.  It's a natural progression!  Welcome to the addiction!  And if you havn't already, you MUST read 'Hunting with the Bow and Arrow' by Saxton Pope and 'Hunting the Hard Way' by Howard Hill.

The Montana is a fabulous bow.

They are great bows ........  

I loved mine.
Didn't realize how much until it was gone.
I had been seduced by the ILF siren's song.
I think a Montana may be back in the spring.

Enjoy yours and don't let it go.

That is a great bow and an awesome company. Have fun with it.

a big thumbs up        

Dont forget The Witchery of Archery You just made Maurice roll over in his grave!

"So long as the new moon returns in heaven a bent, and beautiful bow, the fascination of archery will keep hold of the hearts of men"

"Hang a longbow and a quiver of arrows conspicuously in your hall or library, and you will soon discover that no exquisite painting or bit of statuary will recieve from guests more attention than will be accorded these ancient weapons"

Maurice Thompson The Witchery of Archery 1878

+1 on Witchery, lol forgot

I had a Montana a few years ago and I shot it very well.

They're a good buy when new and a steal when bought used(like mine) for around 200 bucks!

Don't shoot the 4th arrow.

Nice longbows!

I love the newer models, a bunch of fun to shoot and they shoot extremely well.  My 55 lb'r is so smooth it feels like 50 lbs.

Treat it to a quality string from one of the sting guys here and you will give it a substantial improvement.

My first bow also. Really enjoy it.

I'm new here, this is my second post I think. First off this is a wonderful website. I've been learning a lot by lurking and reading through the threads. Not only is it a great forum but seems to be a great community considering the meets and shoots. You all seem extremely welcoming.

Anyways, I just bought one of these, and so far I love it! I thought about getting one of the custom bows from one of the many makers out there but it would seem that eventually I'll be doing that anyways. A lot of you seem to have acquired an impressive amount of bows. The Montana is very pretty and very lightweight.

Mine is a 45# one, although I draw to about 29.5" so a little heavier than that. Today is the first time I shot it, had it since Thursday. Got it off of **** brand new and it came with an arm guard, glove, stringer and tip protector. Ordered some beaver fur silencers from 3 Rivers and some arrows, Easton 2117 arrows at 31.25" with 175 grain field tips. I was nervous about them being too stiff or something but after shooting them I found that they were going where I wanted them to so I think I'm good.

Anyways I put about 50 arrows through it earlier and man, this thing is awesome. I can't believe I was hitting what I wanted to. Although I only shot it at 30 feet which is the longest distance in my apartment...haven't taken it outside yet.

Now I just need a quiver of some sort. Not sure yet if I'm going to build my own side quiver or buy a bow quiver. I like how the bow feels now and I think a bow quiver would affect that so I'm leaning towards a side quiver. The type you can grab the arrows out of the bottom of.

Eventually I'd like to try hunting. Never hunted before. Before a few years ago I didn't know anybody with land but I've since met a wonderful girl whose family has a farm we visit all the time. Now that I have a weapon legal to hunt with (can't use rifles in my state, I only have rifles and handguns)...

So congrats on the new bow! I hope you like it as much as I like mine. I'd post pictures of the bow but my camera is broken.

Ben,
Welcome to the gang brother.yiu have a great bow there. And you should be fine with those arrows if you have a true 29.5" DL. I draw 27.5 and the 2117 at the same length with 175 up front fly perfect for me. They are probably a touch stiff but I don't think you will notice it.good first bow you got