Bear Recurve Bows
Bear Archery has built fine bows since 1933. Fred Bear started the archery business with a focus on traditional craftsmanship that continues today. Every Bear bow combines hand-selected woods with modern materials like fiberglass laminate limbs. The result is a traditional bow that shoots smoothly and holds up season after season.
At Adventures Archery, we carry Bear recurves in one-piece and take-down designs. Our selection includes the Kodiak, Super Kodiak, Super Grizzly, Kodiak Hunter, and Mag Riser lines. Shop our collection to find your own bow from one of archery's most trusted names.
Bear Recurve Features and Construction
Hand-Selected Woods and Risers
Bear products feature premium woods like Shedua, Bubinga, Purple Heart, and Bolivian Rosewood. The riser uses I-beam construction for strength without added weight. Each grip is hand-finished with fiberglass accents. These are not mass-produced wooden bows. They are hand-made bows built to last.
Laminated Limbs and Fiberglass Overlay
The limb cores are made from maple laminate. High-strength fiberglass backs and faces each limb for power and durability. The limb tips are handcrafted and layered with fiberglass to handle a custom string or modern bow string materials. This construction delivers a smooth draw cycle with no hand shock.
Traditional Shooting Features
Every Bear recurve includes a crowned, cut-on-center arrow shelf. A leather side plate and bear hair rest guide your arrow naturally. Each bow ships with a Dynaflight 97 Flemish twist bow string. The reinforced limb tips work with fast flight string materials for those who prefer them.
Bear Recurve Models We Carry
One-Piece Recurves
- Kodiak (60"): The classic 1959 design with a shedua riser and green glass limbs.
- Super Kodiak (60" and 64"): Fred Bear's personal favorite for big game on public land.
- Super Grizzly (58"): Double-layer laminate limbs reduce hand shock. Draw weight options from 35 to 65 lbs.
- Kodiak Magnum (52"): Compact design for ground blinds and treestands.
- New Kodiak Hunter (60"): A newer model with arctic grey glass limbs and shedua riser.
- Cheyenne (55"): Half-moon grip inspired by Fred Bear's favorite bows from the early 1960s.
Take-Down Recurves
- Mag Riser A & B: Cast aluminum riser with A and B configurations. Build a bow from 56" to 64" with interchangeable limbs.
Mag Riser Take-Down: Limited run collector's bow with satin black riser, gold Bear Archery medallion, and 45lb curly maple limbs. Includes numbered soft carrying case.
How to Choose the Right Bear Recurve
Bow Length
Bear recurves range from 48" to 64". Shorter bows like the Kodiak Magnum work well in ground blinds. Longer bows like the 64" Super Kodiak offer a smoother draw. Match the length to your draw length and hunting style.
One-Piece vs. Take-Down
One-piece recurves deliver a traditional feel with no moving parts. Take-down models break apart for easier transport. The Mag Riser package includes bushings for a stabilizer and quiver.
Draw Weight
Bear offers light poundage options starting at 35 lbs. Experienced shooters often choose 45 to 55 lbs. Most states require 40 to 50 lbs minimum for big game on public land.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with light poundage if you are new to traditional archery. A 35 to 40 lb bow lets you focus on form. Experienced archers typically shoot 45 to 55 lbs.
Yes. Bear Archery builds traditional bows in Gainesville, Florida. The new models continue the same hand-crafted construction as old Bear bows from decades past.
Yes. The reinforced limb tips handle modern bow string materials. Each bow includes a Dynaflight 97 string. You can also install a custom string from your preferred builder.
Bear Archery also makes compound bows. Visit our Bear compound bows collection to see those options.