I am fortunate to have owned or shot a lot of the high dollar bows and I appreciate them, but I have recently picked up a couple of old Bears and they are amazing me.  I picked up a 1973 Super Kodiak from a TradGanger,60 inch, 50# @ 28 and my brother gave me a 1960 Kodiak, 64 inch, 41# @ 28.  

The Super Kodiak is in great condition and I shoot 29 1/4 inch 1916s with 145 grain heads.  the Kodiak had a few holes in it so I had Whip fix it up for me.  It is now a beauty and I shoot 29 1/4 inch 1816s with 125 grain heads out of it.

As I said, I really like and appreciate my custom bows, but both of these bows shoot very accurately and consistently for me.  I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with either one although 41# concerns me some.  I get 5 doe tags for the area I hunt and I think I am going to have to do a retro hunt this late season.

D.P.

 

They're good, for sure. A hunt with an old Bear is on my agenda, too.

 

There was a thread a while back about improvements in recurves compared to "the old days". I don't think there has been much gained since about 1959. Maybe a few feet per second and maybe some better custom woods and finishes, but for good ol' hunting...

I have been carrying a 1959 Kodiak 42# to my turkey blind with some Forgewoods and Bear Razorheads.

Dave, You are right on! Great observation and it amazes me too how well the classic Bear bows shoot.

I picked up a 1964 Bear Grizzly and it is a real hammer.

I have a mid 70's Grizzly 45# @ 28" 58" long. It's a great bow I have newer bows of the same weight that out perform it but that don't matter. That old Bear is just nice to shoot and just loves a cedar arrow......been thinking about a retro hunt myself, maybe this is the year!! That bow was my mothers uncle's and he wanted me to have it before he passed on.

I have several customs also and enjoy shooting them but today I was shooting my 1970 Bear Takedown and came to the conclusion I shoot it the best and like to shoot it the most with the Super Kodiak of the same year a close second. It's not the fastest but it's whisper quiet and there's not enough o's in smooth to describe how it shoots.

My first and so far only trad bow is a Bear Grizzly, of mid-60's vintage I believe. I got started in trad because I like the idea of taking a bow with lots of history behind it and going hunting with it. It shoots great as far as I can tell, though of course I have no other bows to compare it to.

I have 2 K Mags 65'& 69' 58# and 47# and just bought a 73'Kodiak Hunter @41# for rehab from my hand surgery.  Those are the only glass backed bows I shoot.  Love the old bears.....

I have a 58" 50lb@28 Bear "Brown Bear Hunter" hanging on the wall behind me.

I could brace that bow up an be shooting it as good as any of my other bows in minites,because it's just a plain old good shootin bow .

Not much has really changed in a lot of years now and if archers just bought what worked the one time,not many of us would have more than one bow,,,an most of those would be old by todays standards.

I just ordered a Kodiak hunter #50 @ 28 and 62" and I can't wait to get it in.

I love my 1966 Bear's. Here is a couple deer I took with my 66 Grizzly. Tommorrow it's off to a 3-D shoot with my 66 K Mag.  


 


 

Couldnt agree more Dave.My 64 inch 59er shot terrific in every way.If I had more money I would still have it.I suspect your 64 inch 1960 version is very similar

Oldies but goodies.

Hey guys I think old Fred was definitely on to something back in the day. I've become obsessed with the old Bears and been collecting them for almost 2 years. Bought 6 so far my favorite is my 66 Kodiak that bow and I have become one.Must stop buying bows for a while its making me work odd jobs and other strange things!!.

You can make them real pretty and fancy, but in the end they are all just a stick and string.  Nothing wrong with a custom bow, but physics will only make that arrow go so fast.

Like many others here I own quite a few great customs but the old Bear bows have a different and pleasant feeling.They are accurate,forgiving and quiet.I really enjoy to shoot them.My favourites are the TD and the Super Kodiak,but the Kodiak, Kodiak Magnum and Grizzly are great shooters as well.

Super Kodiak is on my short list of must have.I have shot them ,but haven't found the right one for me yet. I would love to have a 45 #er.

I have 11 bows on the wall,but 90% of the time I grab my 71 Kodiak..It has a "special" feel or something...Not sure exactly,but  something..    :confused:    

Whatever it is...It has it..

   

 

Santiam, no strike plate?? That bow looks like it's in great shape!!! Good pic....

I can't get enough of the old bears. I think last count I have about 40 dating from 1952 to the newest 1970 Super-K. I've been shooting a 59 Alaskan now for awhile and love it. It's 62" 45#. I don't own any customs cause all my money goes for old bears. Still looking for the 59 kodiak I can aford. Scott