Bear Archery Super Kodiak Recurve Review: One of the Best Bows Made to Date

This illustrated reference manual not only preserves the history and heritage of Bear Archery traditional bow production since , it serves as a helpful reference to any and all archers interested in collecting and dating their vintage Bear Archery traditional bows. Each chapter covers a detailed chronology of factory production specifications for each specific bow model or group of related models. It includes photos of bow models for almost every year.

I just bought a really nice vintage bear grizzly recurve 58″ amo 40# @ 28″ draw. I was wonder if

A compound bow uses cams and pulleys to assist with the bow’s draw. This is helpful as it makes the draw easier than a traditional recurve bow on the draw, preventing fatigue during hunts or target shooting. If you are shopping for a used compound bow or have other needs for knowing the year the bow was produced in, find this information on the bow’s serial number sticker or etching. If you cannot decipher the information use a tested method to pinpoint the year of the bow in question.

Read the serial number stamp. Most stamps are found near the bow’s lens, more commonly referred to as the handle or grip. If the lettering is small, or etched onto the handle, use a magnifying glass to read it. Look for any lines indicating date of production. Some compound bows use an encoded serial number to provide the date. For example, Martin Archery uses a code for the serial number that is similar to an auto vehicle identification number VIN.

If you have a serial number with no date, write down the number or take a picture of the stamp. Find the maker of the compound bow and email the picture or serial number to the company, asking for a confirmation on the bow’s year of production. Lists of compound bow makers are found at websites such as Hunter’s Friend. Check a Bear bow the name of the maker for a series of different criteria to determine its age.