Hey, Trap. I just found this site last month when I got my TBmag.
It’s funny that I’ve never owned one; but I’ve been interested in them, and Mr.Fred since the ’60s.

I was lucky that I got to the museum in Florida before it was sold off. I was able to get a life size stand-up of Mr. Fred, and my wife shot a longbow there.
While in FL, I stopped by 4-Nolz(Mike H.) and shot the ‘Little Delta’ bow he had at the time. That meant a lot to me and was a highlight of the trip.

So I’m still looking for my Bear recurve, that’s a low poundage shooter, and I’m sixty years old.:lol:

Happy trails…Mac/NC

About 1970 I traded an old truck tool box for an old Bear bow. Traded the bow a few years later and have kicked my tail over that one. One seems to learn the value of some things too late it seems. I’ll find another some day I believe. Thinking positive on that.
How do the newer “affordable” line of Bear bows perform?

Hey, my oldest kid is about to catch up with your youngest bow:lol:. Glad you enjoy the bows so much. Maybe at the TBOT (Traditional Bowhunters of Texas) shoot in Memphis (Texas) the firt weekend in May I’ll see one cruising around and can check it out.
Finally some moisture maybe here in Amarillo today. Been months.

Very Nice ! Im looking for Razor Heads that can be used to hunt with ! Anyone ?

R2, I’m a little late just joined, I bought a Bear Super-K on the 16th. I like it it likes a brace height of 9″,the instructions recomend between 8″ & 9″. It’s quiet, stable,forgiving, comfortable to shoot. Haven’t chronoe’d it yet, but I will. I think the new ones are a good bow. Frank

I like my bear kodiak magnum. I bought it used about 7 years ago and it has always impressed me. I owned a PSE impala before – I will definitely buy a bear again.

A couple years back I picked up a 68# Bear Kodiak Hunter made in 1969. I have been very impressed with its accuracy. I have only had it in the field once ptarmigan hunting. No birds that day, but it brought me good luck since I found a GPS at around 12,000 ft while hunting with it. I have a special connection with this bow since it was made the same year I was.:lol:

Thats a fine set of bears you have there. I just started archery and I was shooting a TomKat wheel bow when I got a wild hair one day and bought a Bear Kodiak Mag L/H in 45#
Now It’s all I shoot. I found a Grizzly on Leatherwall and just sent the payment on that today. So buy the looks of your collection I have a feeling this is going to strain my relationship with my better half. Any advice?
Take care Keep the Bears alive.
Terry

I shoot a 50# kodiak magnum, it shoots great, but im 6’5″ and the draw length is hard on me. Ive been looking for a bear that shoots like the magnum, but so far I have found that the kodiak line doesnt shoot as fluidly as the magnum. Anyone have any suggestions?

Hi I just bought a Grizzly and it draws alot better than the Mag. Its longer and I think that helps. Its 55# and I shoot it better than the 45# mag.

I am a bear fan, the vintage one’s of course. I am planning a Brown Bear hunt of Kodiak Island using of course, a vintage bear bow.

Im one as well ..always looking for Freds stuff !

I’ve been a straight limbed longbow type for awhile now but went through the back and forth trials – longbow to recurve to longbow for many years. During that process I did obtain a 60″ Kodiak of the 1960’s vintage and as has been mentioned here already, seemed to like a brace height of 9″. It is 50lb @ 28 and is accurate, fast, and really quiet. Guess what! Maybe I’m no longer a longbow guy – it’s hard not to shoot the Kodiak.

Memphis Tbot shoot did work out. Found a Grizzly! It’s marked 45# but it scales out 50# @ 28″. Feels good to shoot. I’m basically a long bow guy but I love to shoot recurves also. Sometimes I think I shoot them better. Could be the “old feel” as that’s what I started with. I’m shooting it tomorrow at the Amarillo club’s (Palo Duro Bowhunters) Jamboree. Don’t expect any miracles, just lots of fun and good people.

I gotta Bear hunter td. I dont know the year. I’ve been looking at a couple sites trying to figure it out. Its a great bow. Mt wife has a ’73 Bear stag and my son has a 69 lil bear. If anyone can help he date my td it be much appreciated. I know its probably a ’70 somethin has a plastic coin. only numbers on it are TD1099.

Ihave had bear bows for 40+ yrs. all have been excellent bows. the latest one i have is a 2 year old bear kodiak 60in. It shoots real nice and smooth. Have killed 6 whitetails and one antelope with it already.

There are a few of us here, Trap. Just I’m using a different handle from the other sites which is rather goofy when your memory is like a macaroni strainer. 😀

I have a 47# Alaskan right or left hand recurve and a 50# Grizzly. Have taken deer with both. Also have 2 Kodiak fiberglass arrows left over from back in the day.
Have entertained the idea of owning a vintage Kodiak in the 55# range.

I have 3 Bear recurves. 1 Black Bear 40# I got this bow for my 10th birthday. 2. 52# kodiak mag 3. 55# super magnum 48.
I love the super mag it is my main hunting bow killed my first deer with it this year. All my bows are from the early 70’s. if interested there are hundreds of them along with quivers broadheads etc on Ebay. I watch it everyday.

My neighbor’s 82-year-old dad decided his 50# Kodiak Mag was a little too hard on his shoulders, and since both of us are leftys, he sold it to me. I normally shoot a 40# Shakespeare X40, but the Bear was too good to pass up. Going up to 50# has been a challenge for me, since I have arthritis in both shoulders. I can’t shoot the Bear very well, but will keep trying to gain enough strength to do better with it.

This Kodiak Magnum has a walnut riser, maple lams, and green glass on back and belly. It is a lot better-made than my Shakespeare — edges nicely contoured, finish smooth as glass. The previous owner hunted with it every year, but kept camo sleeves on the limbs, so it is in very good shape. I sure hope some of his hunting luck came along with the bow!

I still have a Kodiak Magnum 52lb. I bought new in the 70’s. I also had a Kodiak compound and now have the Truth.
Tried other brands in 45 years of casting shafts, always wander back to Bear. No more “shopping” for me.

Howdy folks,

Hey there Trap…Rich Lopez here. 😀
Been collecting for 35 years

Yes, I too have this infliction. My collection consist of hunting weight Bear bows, 1967, left handed. This is the year I yearned for a Bear in my younger years, but could not afford one. Now I have the money they are a lot harder to find. I need the following; Kodiak magnum, and all other models in factory camo finish. Serial numbers must start with a “7”, and need to be at least 40# draw weight.
Thanks,
Larry

Thanks. Great people, great magazine, great stuff!

Hey all! Yep!..there’s a few of us here! I really like this site in part because of this! I have been collecting a few years now,and am ALWAYS learning and re-learning things! I shoot an ’08 Super Kodiak 55#,a 71′ Kodiak Hunter 45#,a mid-80’s camo Super Kodaik 55# and,as soon as the mail gets it here,a blue stripe Kodaik Magnum 55#. I like all Bear bows,but prefer the bows made in the late 60’s and 70’s. Don’t know why this is,but it sure is fun! Take care and keep those ol’ Bears shootin’! Lee 😀

One more here, shoot a 1969 Kodiak Hunter 55#. Great shooting bow.

Count me as an AVID Bear bow shooter and collector. Statics, Polars, Grizzlies,Super Grizzly,Kodiak, Super Kodiaks, shoot them all. My 50′ Static shoots a little better as compared to my Super K (Florida build) for me. They all shoot well and often. Now, there are times when I get in their way!!

I like them well enough to have bought a new Super K last year & am hunting with it. I retired my 69 Super Mag, but still shoot my older Grizzly now & then.
Frank

Love my Bear cub semi-recurve that was bought for 25 bucks by my father back in 62 or so I think. Its 45#@28 8)

About 35 years ago I purchased a used 64″ bear takedown (‘B’ riser) and two sets of limbs for $70 as back-up for my magnesium riser takedown. The riser had been spray painted a flat green and not being smart enough to recognize the value of the bow, I sanded off the paint right past the original finish and refinished the riser. It looks great but now I have no numbers or marks to identify the make or model. Can anyone tell me if there is another way to identify the riser?

In where the limbs go there should be a stamped number in the center “rail” of the socket.. also email me some pics of you can.. droptine59@hotmail.com

Dennis I got your email and pics. it is a type 2 B riser. The serial number started with a 2 B2***).
Since the original serial is gone from the side of the riser it is a crap shoot at best..it is a 1971-72 vintage. Nice riser for sure.

MY first bow was a bear my grandfather gave it too me ive been hooked ever since. i will probably give my son that bow as well. its funny how hunting can bring a family together

Greetings,

Just joined the forum. I have two Bear Bows on a polar and the other is a kodiak, both have dates of 1953 on the riser. I also have two dozen bear arrows in the original box. One dozen are X-200 with blunts, 28″ length, 45#-50#, 320 gram shaft wt and 11/32 diamenter, the other areB-100 with yellow (gold) razor heads with inserts 28″ length 60#-65# shaft wt 390 gr, spine 4 to 4-1/4, 11/31 shaft. I also have a bear fishing outfit in the original box. I came a collector by accident, someone had some equipment to sell and I took the opportunity to bur it. Both bows shoot well, the arrows I think I will use for decoration in bow racks.

I have 3 vintage 70 Bears, Super Kodiak Grayling, Magnum and a Hunter. The other two vintage recurves are Browning Wasp.

Hey All,
I know I am a little behind here but I’ve just jumped head first (up to my ankles) into Bear bows. I’ve tried a few (very few) others and and have never got that “feeling” like I do with a Bear. I prefer the lower grip and more slender riser of the A riser T/D, the Super Grizzly’s and my FAVORITE the 1962 Cub. I’ve got a 44# Cub that shoots like nobody’s business (at least for me) and am expecting a 53# next week. I can hardly wait to get the 53#er in and take ‘er for a test drive.

Welcome Jess.

Those are some beautiful Bears, Cottonwood. I really like the looks of that Super Kodiak Grayling.

Love my Super Kodiak. I wrap my hand around that grip and it’s like a natural extension of my arm. Perfection.