Hi all.  New traditional shooter converting over after 30 years of compounds.   What a great site and community you all have here.

I'm wanting to do some research on older Bear bows (pre 70s) and while there is likely a ton of  info scattered throughout this site I'm curious to know where you all would direct someone trying to learn about the different years/models and their attributes and handling characteristics.  

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

http://www.stickbow.com/stickbow/Collector/beararchery/

The Collector Page here is a great resource too.

Besides the Bear Collectors Page on Stickbow. there are two other references I find invaluable. First is a CD of the bear archery catalogs from 1948-1978. This is available from 3 Rivers for $39.95.  http://www.3riversarchery.com/ShowLargerImage.asp?i=6071&n=Bear+Archery+Catalogs+CD
The other source is a booklet written by Al Reader and published by Robert Hutchings and available on the big auction for $9.95 The item # is 321447247686. Here is the description.
This List was put together by the late Al Reader  to help u  ID all the vintage bears bows from 1954-1984, enjoy and hope this  helps you find and ID your vintage bow.  Look at photos for sample of page and Index.    Enjoy  This ID's tradition bows only.
Using these references will help with the majority of IDs but Bear didn't always follow the catalogs because of availability of materials. For example there are three different versions of the 1969 Kodiak Hunters and the Kodiak Magnums.

Right here at trad gang on the " Trad History/ Collectors" page

Thank you all....more than enough info at those links to send me down the proverbial rabbit hole for some time.

Feel free to start buying any time...just completed deals on the last two Bears I will ever buy...until the next time of course...trust me, it is an addiction...I bought two this past week

DDave