Update: Just dropped the bow off at a local shop. $50 for the string and install. I also got off lucky and the tech said I didn’t damage my bow while dry firing. Won’t tempt fate again. Really happy.

The guy told me about five full rotations is about the max I can do for this bow and that replacement parts would be a bit scarce for sure.

He was also really informative and I didn’t get rung up over every question. I’ll be picking it up in a week or so and might take home a 2019 Mission Switch. Maybe.

I didn’t get a response but I understand and thanks for reading my concerns and update. 🙂

 

Glad it didn’t do significant damage! How many turns were the limb bolts out?

 

When I dry fired it? About 5. When I dry fired it the limbs were flapping a bit. I’m not educated on this kind of stuff. I kept pulling back on it as I lowered the weight and I didn’t get a comfortable draw until like 3.

Bows a 65# peak.

 

I just picked up a Bear Kodiak Hunter compound from a friend. From what I gather they were manufactured between 1967 and 1977. Has a 65# upper limit but we can't find a lower limit for this one. Local Bass Pro Shop archery tech says this particular bow has magnesium inserts in the frame, which are somewhat softer than what newer bows are equipped with. Therefore for safety reasons this bow requires more bolt threads into the insert. He took it down to 50# but since we have no specifications for this bow it isn't feasible to risk going lower. Searches for specs on this one were fruitless. I'm 67 with some shoulder issues which is why we were lowering the pull.

 

I finally got the bow back about three weeks after dropping it off. The new string is nice and the tech did me a solid with a sighting in as well. Looking forward to shooting the bow again next weekend with my buddy. He has to get his restrung now though. Ain't that something? His is a Robin Hood and I did some reading up on Whitetail Hunter and other similar SLOGAN limbed brands and it seems like these are just the bare minimal hunting bow you could get from big box stores back in the day. If anyone is interested in identifying their compound bow from Bear. Look for the copyright on the camouflage, the cam style and importantly the limb shape. If it looks like a recurve limb, it's definitely around the '90s and/or sooner. The Bear logo is real fancy looking on their premium/entry level bows now so, a black plastic coin on the riser most likely means big box store.

The original retail price was like $150 or so, the bow still holds up after years and some small shops try to pass them off for $80-$100 but not very often. I would say it's about on par to a decent quality fishing rod for entry level price. It gets the job done and does it well enough to get by. Personally, I only bought this bow because it was $50, if it was even a dollar more I would have overlooked it entirely.

I did however drop $32 on a whisker biscuit arrow rest and $22 on a joker 4 sight to replace the broken equipment on it. $50 for the string and restring was free, overall $154 to get out shooting. Not bad compared to the $300 buy in of a newer entry level Bear and maybe if you find one laying around for cheap it'll be worth it if all the parts work but if you have to fix it up and have a budget that can flex. Just buy a new bow, maybe some Bear fanatic out there will be all "NO THIS IS PERFECT, GREAT, AMAZING". I applaud them because I agree, it's not a bad bow for what I put into it but I wouldn't trust it down the road. This will be a guest/backup bow once I upgrade in a few months and once the string pops again I'm putting it in storage.

 

Ouch, hopefully you continue to get good news with the bow after dry firing it. Never done it myself but I’ve seen video. Lucky you didn’t get hurt. [emoji1360]


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I have a hunter bow also the adjustments of his bow is the same . Box