I went to see about a Bear Magnum bow yesterday, I'm in the market for fish bow, and it seemed in good shape, except for the holes. Just off-center of center, about two-thirds from the riser there was a 1/8" diameter hole that looked to have been drilled. The limb glass did have slight cracks running length-wise down the limbs from the ends of the holes. The seller just got it at an estate sale and had no clue of its history.
Two questions:
1. Why would anyone do this?
2. Would it effect the use of the bow?

It's an old 52"@65# Bear Magnum

it was more than likly for a site or a fishing kit as to its effect on the bow im not qualified to say but i agree with you WHY WHY WOULD ANYONE DO THAT good luck finding a fishing bow i hear its a lot of fun i never had the chance

I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.If the hole was drilled anywhere on the working part of the limb,I think it could be a potential blow up.The cracks have already started.I don't mind parallel stress cracks but cracks coming from a drilled hole can't be good.There are just too many good deals on Kodiak Magnums out there to take a chance.

Ron+dog,
It did come with an old bow spool reel (and a NIB 4 arrow quiver) so I think you may be right.

JimB,
Not so easy to find a lefty one for a fair price; however, I do share your concern. I have had an old bow blow up in my hand before and prefer to avoid hospital visits.

Did the hole START the crack or was it there to STOP the crack.

How deep is it (hole).  How cheap is it.  Bow

Many folks won't touch it. Might go cheap.
chuckC

The holes were drilled all the way through the limb. The guys wants $125 for bow + quiver + old reel.

I'm with the group that wants to slowly back away from anyone shooting this bow.

QuoteOriginally posted by Blackhawk:
I'm with the group that wants to slowly back away from anyone shooting this bow.

right there with ya man its a shame
 

Not worth the risk.

Even tho lefties are hard to find I'd move on.

I guess I would have to see it and feel it.  I am not so certain that those holes will have any influence on the limbs if they are cleanly drilled.  

I guess you can worry about them being the cause for structural weakness or delamination, but you know,  all along both sides of each limb is the area that was cut and then shaped and sanded to final dimensions.  Nobody seems too concerned about that break of the glued up form.

Just not sure
ChuckC

some Bear bows like Super Kodiaks that had holes in the limbs were actualy defective.The holes were drilled by the Bear rep they issued credit to the dealer and the bow should have been put in the trash.But when the rep left town that day after placing the bow or bows into the trash along the happy scrounger bd

I don't think left handed Kodiak Magnums are too hard to find.I seem to see them everytime I look for one.Normally,they run a little less than right hand bows because there are less people interested.I can't say what price would be though.That depends on a lot of things.I just saw two on an auction site.

sounds like junk to me.

Great info Bowdoc.  You would think though that the holes that were drilled were big, easy to see holes, not 1/8".
ChuckC

1/8" is big enough.  It lets the bow be used as a display model or with a dummy in a window scene.  That way, if it gets bleached by the sun, you are not out the cost of a new bow.  Bill

No way would I shoot that bow   .

Thanks for all the assistance guys. The bow will not be purchased but the info will be passed on to the seller.