Bear Method Compound Bow? The 119 New Answer

Bear Archery announced the introduction of its all-new Target compound bow for its 2019 lineup. The Revival is a high-performance bow designed to meet the target shooter’s demands for accuracy and comfort with a simple pull for consistency and repetition.

At Bear Archery we understand that the sport of archery requires distinctive equipment to meet the needs of both a hunter and a sport shooter. The Revival is a hybrid cam target bow that offers a super smooth draw cycle while maintaining speed and accuracy and firing at 320 feet per second.

“Our 2018 lineup was missing a true target bow and we knew we needed to deliver a new target bow for 2019 that would exceed customer performance expectations at an affordable price,” said Dave Parker, general manager of Bear Archery. “The Revival does just that.”

The carbon cross arm bag offers maximum strength at key points and saves unnecessary weight. The bow also features the slimmer, low-profile SonicStops™ string recoil suppressors to eliminate vibration while maintaining speed and accuracy. With an extension range of 27″ to 30.5″, the Revival has a wheelbase of 37.5″ and a strut height of 7″.

It is available in two draw weights – 45 to 60 lbs. or 55 to 70 lbs. and in right-handed and left-handed versions. The Revival comes in two flavors and can be purchased in Iron or One Nation® Midnight.

Find out more on the Bear Archery website.

Evansville, IN (October 5, 2021) – A leader in innovation and maker of some of the most popular archery gear in the industry, Bear Archery is proud to introduce another high-performance and technology-packed range of bows and accessories for 2022. The eighty-nine-year-old archery company announced the addition of more than 10 new bow models to its compound, traditional and crossbow lines. The all new range of bows brings new technology, more value and more choice to Bear’s already robust product range.

For 2022, Bear introduces a new flagship blend from the ground up, the REFINE EKO. This 33-inch axis-to-axis bow is the quietest and handiest bow in its class. With arrow speeds of up to 342 FPS IBO and a mass weight of only 4.4 lbs, the REFINE EKO offers both performance and comfort. The bow features a revised Vibration Reduction System™ (VRS) from what the industry saw on last year’s REDEMPTION EKO. The VRS is guaranteed to more effectively eliminate audible and felt vibration with every shot. The bow also gets a new ergonomic GRIZgrip™, designed for a more comfortable fit in shooter’s hands, as well as new KILLERWAVE™ In-Limit dampers. The REFINE Sport EKO nocks which have quickly become one of the most popular systems available for bows today.

Also new for 2022 is the RESURGENCE RTH. This bow features Bear’s first-ever 80% let-off hybrid cam system. The Resurgence’s new DHC cam system not only offers an incredible 80% drain, but also brings one of the brand’s most efficient draw cycles. The RESURGENCE RTH is a 32″ axle-to-axle, 6.25″ brace height, ready-to-hunt package at a price never before offered in the Bear line. The DHC cams offer stunning performance of up to 335 FPS IBO and include a draw stop for archers who prefer a rock solid backplane. The RESURGENCE RTH features the new GRIZgrip™ and KILLERWAVE™ limb dampeners, making it quiet and comfortable on the range or in the field.

Bear Archery’s 2022 line of compound bows sees several other additions including the Alaskan, Whitetail Legend Pro, Escalate, Species EV and Resurgence LD. Each bow has been strategically designed to provide the best experience regardless of the price point.

“For nearly 90 years, Bear Archery has been raising the bar in performance and technology. The 2022 product range is a testament to the brand’s unwavering commitment to our retailers, consumers and partners.” said Jon Lene, general manager of Bear Archery. “This year we are launching more than 10 new bows. Each model is tactically designed from the ground up by our incredible team to give the industry what it wants. Regardless of experience, budget, or personal preference, the 2022 Bear line has an answer for everyone.”

In addition to seven new compound bows, Bear is making several changes and additions to its traditional 2022 line of bows. For the first time since the 1960s, the legendary Kodiak Hunter returns to the line. Featuring a Shedua riser with a black inlaid stripe and arctic gray glass links, the 60″ AMO bow was an instant hit more than 50 years ago due to its longer length, excellent performance and smooth draw curve. The Kodiak Hunter joins the legendary Bear Archery Kodiak recurve line with the 1959 Kodiak reproduction, the Super Kodiak and the Kodiak Magnum.

The traditional line also sees the introduction of the long-awaited #2 Take Down Limbs. Constructed from layered Hard Rock Maple core and black fiberglass, the #2 Take Down limbs yield a 58″ AMO arc when paired with an A-Riser and a 62″ AMO arc when paired with an A-Riser be paired with a B riser.

The revolutionary Fred Bear Take Downs see an addition to the line with the Mag Riser B grip. Last year Bear reintroduced the Mag Riser A-grip for the first time since the 1970’s. Now made of aluminum, the Take Down riser was a monumental success for its durability, signature grip and balanced composition. The 2022 Mag Riser B-Grip is 19 inches long and shares the same design as the original model. As with all other Take Down models, the Mag Riser B-Grip can be paired with #1, #2, or #3 limbs to create a variety of bow lengths from 56″ to 64″ AMO.

Finally, Bear, the leading manufacturer of youth and recreational bows, has targeted the bowhunters of tomorrow with the introduction of the Pathfinder 2022. This entry-level, lightweight, high-performance blend is designed to perfectly suit young archers. The Pathfinder has a draw length of 14″-25″ and can accommodate draw weights between 15 lbs. and 29 pounds. The youth bow comes ready to fire with a single pin sight, two youth safety glass arrows, a Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit, a Bear two-arrow quiver and a knock set.

After consecutive record-breaking years, Bear Archery shows no signs of slowing down or losing momentum. The proliferation of new bows and accessories from the legendary company in 2022 is clear evidence that the brand strives to keep the industry on its toes while continuing to inspire and educate bowhunters around the world.

For more information on Bear Archery and the full line of Bear 2022 gear, visit the Bear Archery website. To find this information and other insights about the company today, please visit beararchery.com.

About Bear Archery®

Founded in 1933 by the legendary father of modern archery, Fred Bear, with the intention of bringing archery to the masses, Bear Archery® continues to produce legendary bows with the same focus on reliability and technology, while maintaining its rich heritage of innovative Leadership and quality maintains products and family values. Bear Archery is a division of Escalade Sports. For information about Bear Archery, its products, brands, owner’s manuals, retailers, warranties, parts or customer service, please call 1-800-694-9494 or visit www.beararchery.com.

ABOUT ESCALADE SPORT

Headquartered in Evansville, IN, Escalade Sports is a global manufacturer and distributor of sports and outdoor recreation equipment. Escalade Sports brands that are leaders in their respective categories include Bear® Archery and Trophy Ridge® archery accessories; STIGA® and Ping-Pong® table tennis, Accudart® and Unicorn® darts, Onix® pickleball equipment; Triumph SportsTM indoor and outdoor games, GoalrillaTM and Goalsetter® indoor basketball systems, Goaliath® and Silverback® indoor and portable basketball goals; the STEP® fitness products, LifelineTM personal fitness, Woodplay® premium playsets and Cue & Case® specialty billiard accessories. Escalade Sports products are available nationwide at sporting goods retailers and independent retailers. For more information about Escalade Sports, its brands, owner’s manuals, retailers, warranty, parts or customer service please call 1-888-784-4288 or visit www.escaladesports.com

There are two ways to reimburse technology services under the E-Rate program: SPI or BEAR.

What is SPI (Service Provider Invoice – FCC Form 474)?

SPI is the service provider form used to bill USAC E-Rate rebates granted directly to applicants. The SPI is sometimes referred to as “SPIF”.

With the SPI method, your service provider bills you for the portion of your bill that you are responsible for. On the backend, your service provider submits the SPI form to obtain a refund from the government for the balance of the total amount of the service.

What is BEAR (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement – FCC Form 472)

BEAR is the claim form used to bill USAC E-Rate rebates retrospectively (when the service provider does not directly discount applicant bills).

With the BEAR method, your service provider’s bill will reflect the full amount of the service. You are responsible for paying the full amount and submitting the BEAR form to receive a refund from USAC.

Which does Nitel support?

Nitel uses the SPI method for its E-Rate customers. Our customers benefit in the following ways:

Bear Archery is a manufacturer and marketer of bows and archery equipment based in Gainesville, Florida owned by Escalade Sports.[1]

history [edit]

The company was founded in 1933 as Bear Products Company in Detroit by Fred Bear and Charles Piper.[2] Initially, the focus was on screen printing and advertising support work for automotive companies.

In 1938 Fred Bear hired Nels Grumley, a woodworker and bowmaker, and the company expanded to offer handmade bows.[3]

Fred Bear sold the Bear Products Company advertising page in 1940. The archery shop was called Bear Archery.

In 1947 the company moved to a new facility in Grayling, Michigan. The Grayling factory focused on manufacturing and marketing recurve and longbows in a growing archery market. Bowmaking shifted from handcrafted bows to mass production using fiberglass and other modern materials.

Fred Bear sold the company to Victor Comptometer in 1968,[4] but remained President of Bear Archery. Bear Archery wasn’t one of the first manufacturers of compound bows, but eventually found success with early models like the Whitetail Hunter.

Bear Archery moved production from Michigan to Gainesville, Florida in 1978.

Over the next three decades, Bear Archery transitioned from Victor Comptometer to Walter Kidde & Co,[5] Hanson PLC, U.S. in a series of mergers, acquisitions and spin-offs. Industries,[6] Fenway Partners[7] and the North American Archery Group.

In 2003, Escalade Sports acquired North American Archery Group and is currently known as Bear Archery Inc.[8]

References[edit]

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Legendary Fred Bear and Charles Piper founded Bear Products Company in 1933 in Detroit, Michigan. The focus was initially on screen printing and advertising support work for automotive companies.

In 1938 Fred hired Nels Grumley, a woodworker and bowmaker, and the company expanded to offer handcrafted bows. In 1940 Fred sold the advertising sector and the archery business became Bear Archery.

“Fred Bear then sold the company to Victor Comptometer in 1968 while remaining its president,” said Jack Borcherding, Bear Archery’s marketing manager. “Fred remained active in developing products and promoting bowhunting until his death in 1988. Known as the ‘father of modern bowhunting’, he had countless contributions to archery. Our industry will never forget him.”

Bear Archery has never forgotten its roots and still produces fine traditional bows.

After a series of mergers, acquisitions and spin-offs spanning more than 30 years, the company became North American Archery Group. In 2003, Escalade Sports acquired North American Archery Group and is currently known as Bear Archery.

“One of the most popular early-model Bear bows was the traditional 1959 Kodiak bow,” Borcherding recalls. “Consumers asked us to bring back this iconic bow, so we did. It features a tall profile, leather rest plate, forgiving arrow rest, supple leather grip and beautiful Bolivian Rosewood. Our traditional line has 12 different bow models ranging from recurves to longbows to hybrids and even a take down model.

Bear Archery Kuma 30

“We also offer a wide range of compound bows that are both powerful and affordable,” he continued. “Our Legend Series includes eight models and our main line includes 11 models, many of which come outfitted with our Trophy Ridge accessories in ready-to-hunt packages, which add incredible value.”

For 2019, Bear launched a lighter, shorter version of the hugely popular Kuma. The Kuma 30 reaches speeds of up to 345 fps, measures 30 inches between axles and weighs 4.1 pounds. Draw weight ranges are 45 to 60 pounds, or 55 to 70 pounds with 75 percent let off.

Finally, Bear reintroduced its line of crossbows in 2018. There are currently three different configurations of the Bear X Saga, each encompassing different speeds and scope options. It also has two additional crossbow models and a crossbow pistol.

Many great innovations can be expected from this legendary and traditional company in the future.

Visit www.beararchery.com for more information.

Man Makes Fire is supported by the reader. If you purchase gear through retail links on our site, we may receive an affiliate commission to help pay for our work. Learn more

Cabela’s Insurgent HC RTH compound bow comes in a ready-to-hunt package from Cabela’s. It includes a pad, location, quiver and stabilizer. It also has a peep spot and D-loop already on the cord, ready for the owner to adjust for fit.

To give Man Makes Fire a closer look at the Insurgent HC RTH Compound Bow, Cabela sent us a test unit. Here’s what we learned:

Cabela’s Insurgent HC RTH Compound Bow Review

There’s a lot to like about Cabela’s Insurgent HC RTH compound bow, starting with its easy online and in-store availability and easy-to-adjust draw length system. If you’re a relatively new buyer of compound hunting bows, it definitely comes in handy to be able to adjust the draw length yourself without a bow press. The Insurgent HC RTH compound bow can be adjusted from 25″ to 30″.

When I first started bowhunting a few years ago, I settled on a Bear Attitude RTH pack. Why? I knew I had to adjust the draw length myself as I refined my shot form. Also, I needed an affordable ready-to-hunt package. There’s no way I would be able to afford a flagship bow and high-end bowhunting accessories for a new way of hunting. In my second year of archery moose hunting, I was able to shoot a 5-point bull moose with this bow. The point? You don’t need an expensive flagship bow to be a successful hunter. In fact, you’re probably better off starting with an entry-level bow, and once you’ve become addicted to archery and bowhunting, you’ll have a better idea of ​​what type of bow you want the most.

Back to Cabela’s Insurgent HC RTH Compound Bow. You probably want to know how it shoots in the first place. Answer: It’s surprisingly good for the price. It has a bit of vibration, but it’s not bad at all. The draw cycle isn’t exactly smooth, but I don’t think it’s harsh either. It has cable pull stops, so the back wall gives in a bit, which doesn’t bother me either. (Limb stops tend to create a solid back panel that has no give when fully extended – I personally prefer cable stops.)

Speaking of the pull cycle, the weight is adjustable from 60 to 70 pounds. The pull cycle is obviously easier at 60 pounds than at 70 pounds. In my experience, once you shoot a bow over the course of a few different days, the draw cycle becomes second nature and you forget about it. Overall, the ES hybrid cameras are fairly smooth and deliver great speed for the price: the Insurgent HC tops out at 330 fps, but most hunters with hunting arrows won’t be able to replicate top speed (which is typical for most ). and any other arc).

Cabela’s Insurgent HC RTH Compound Bow: Construction & Accuracy

I’m just an experienced archer and focus on moose hunting at relatively close ranges. With my skill and reps, I was easily safe to within 40 yards. Do not worry. At 50 yards, I felt fine with no wind. For anything over 50, you’ll probably want to upgrade to Fall-Away-Rest (but that’s an upgrade you can make in the future).

As far as tuning goes, the bow came to me in great shape. I was able to easily rotate the D-Loop a few times to get my arrow off the nock point, through the included Whisker Biscuit Rest and up to the riser level. The easiest way to do this alone is to hold a dart under a cam dart on the riser. When the two arrows are parallel, you’re good to go.

Use the same trick to make sure the arrow leaves the bow centered left to right – just hold the second arrow against the vertical part of your riser to see if the two arrows are parallel. If they aren’t, you can move the rest left or right until they are parallel.

At this point I’ve shot a few hundred arrows and shot the bow with good results. I’ve also done some walk-back widehead tuning with good results. I think most hunters will be able to replicate this process themselves and get similar results. (There are tons of YouTube videos on how to set up, aim, and tune the bow.)

In the meantime, my next step was to tune the bow on paper. However, I did this last because I wanted to see what I could get out of the bow. I got an even horizontal tear through the paper, so I pressed the bow using a Bowmaster portable bow press and a Bowmaster Split-Limb L-Bracket G2 (which are compatible with many Bear bows) and added a twist to a top yoke, while I a distant turn from the other. Boom. bullet holes. Of course, each player’s results may vary depending on grip, draw length, shot shape, and arrow setting. The point of all this is that the Cabela Insurgent HC RTH compound bow shoots pretty darn good right out of the box. If you have a bow press, you can also fine tune the bow yourself (provided you know how and are willing to learn).

All in all, most hunters assume that they will seek help from a bow shop. . . and just practice often enough to get accurate for your typical bowhunting distances.

Buy the Insurgent HC RTH Bundle from Cabela’s and get FREE 2-Day Shipping!

Cabela’s Insurgent HC RTH Pack: Accessories

The great thing about Cabela’s Insurgent HC RTH pack is that it gives you the essential accessories you need to start archery.

The Cabela Insurgent HC RTH package includes a Trophy Ridge Volt 5 pin visor. It’s functional, easy to use and works. It’s a great sight for beginners.

The rest is a Trophy Ridge Quick Shot Whisker Biscuit. It’s easy to set up and use. Better still, almost anyone can quickly achieve good results with a Whisker Biscuit topping. In addition, they have no moving parts to break or require tuning.

In the field turkey hunting. View from above. In the box. Guide Cory Peterson called a hangover across a field, resulting in an epic gorge – but without a clear bowshot. The Peep uses a tube to combat string rotation issues. Another look at the ES hybrid cams. The included Trophy Ridge Sight is easy to adjust. First attempt at 40 yards on sight in progress.

The stabilizer is a Trophy Ridge dart stabilizer. It’s too short to really “stabilize” your shots, but then again, you don’t need a longer stabilizer if you’re hunting to around 50 yards. It’s really more of a noise and vibration dampener.

The quiver is a 5 point Trophy Ridge quiver. It’s easily adjustable, easy to remove, and works pretty well.

The biggest benefit of the accessory is that it can more than do its job for the vast majority of bowhunting situations. And . . . whenever you want . . . You can upgrade any of these bow accessories at any time.

One note: Cabela’s Insurgent HC RTH pack does not include arrows. You must select your own arrows, which is typical in the bowhunting industry as you must select the correct arrows for your draw length and draw weight.

Insurgent HC RTH Bow Review: The Verdict

The Insurgent HC RTH Compound Bow Package is an excellent entry-level hunting bow kit. It’s not quite as smooth and great as setups that cost three to four times as much, but it’s excellent value for money. I spent about three months shooting this bow and it has worked well. If you’re looking for a starter kit as a bowhunting gift, or even an affordable upgrade for an aging compound bow, the Cabela Insurgent HC RTH compound bow is a great entry-level hunting bowpack that shoots surprisingly fast and easy for the price. Highly recommended.

Get the equipment:

It turns out there’s one more note: I forgot to mention that Cabela’s Insurgent HC RTH compound bow is similar to the Bear Archery Threat RTH compound bow pack, which is also a great entry-level RTH compound bow. The Cabela brand Insurgent HC RTH compound bow is manufactured by Bear Archery exclusively for Cabela.

Bear Archery is a manufacturer and marketer of bows and archery equipment based in Gainesville, Florida owned by Escalade Sports.[1]

history [edit]

The company was founded in 1933 as Bear Products Company in Detroit by Fred Bear and Charles Piper.[2] Initially, the focus was on screen printing and advertising support work for automotive companies.

In 1938 Fred Bear hired Nels Grumley, a woodworker and bowmaker, and the company expanded to offer handmade bows.[3]

Fred Bear sold the Bear Products Company advertising page in 1940. The archery shop was called Bear Archery.

In 1947 the company moved to a new facility in Grayling, Michigan. The Grayling factory focused on manufacturing and marketing recurve and longbows in a growing archery market. Bowmaking shifted from handcrafted bows to mass production using fiberglass and other modern materials.

Fred Bear sold the company to Victor Comptometer in 1968,[4] but remained President of Bear Archery. Bear Archery wasn’t one of the first manufacturers of compound bows, but eventually found success with early models like the Whitetail Hunter.

Bear Archery moved production from Michigan to Gainesville, Florida in 1978.

Over the next three decades, Bear Archery transitioned from Victor Comptometer to Walter Kidde & Co,[5] Hanson PLC, U.S. in a series of mergers, acquisitions and spin-offs. Industries,[6] Fenway Partners[7] and the North American Archery Group.

In 2003, Escalade Sports acquired North American Archery Group and is currently known as Bear Archery Inc.[8]

References[edit]

The all-new Whitetail Legend is a nod to the classic Whitetail Hunter bow, first introduced by our founder Fred Bear in the 1970’s. The Whitetail Legend is just what you need to grab before heading into the woods to take home your next trophy or stash of meat. Every time you pull back, you’ll feel our new pull stop, giving you the most solid single camera rear wall experience on the market. Once released, experience lightning-fast speeds of 320 feet per second. This 32″ axle-to-axle single cam arch features a brand new and improved RTH (ready-to-hunt) kit with a Trophy Ridge Volt 5-pin sight, Quick Shot Whisker Biscuit, 6″ static stabilizer, No – Tie Peep Sight and D-Loop It was Mr. Bear’s mission to make archery accessible to everyone by offering his bows at a fair price and that’s exactly what we’re doing again today with the Whitetail Legend compound bow.

By Bowhunter Online staff

Few names are as synonymous with bowhunting and the outdoor industry as Fred Bear’s.

Widely regarded as the ‘Father of Bowhunting’, Bear’s legend has only grown over time due to his unsurpassed skill in the field as well as his role in creating one of the premier bowhunting companies in the world.

No bowhunter has ever impacted the sport quite as much as Bear, and it’s likely that no hunter ever will.

Born on March 5, 1902 in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, Bear originally started working for the Detroit automobile industry but turned to the great outdoors after being inspired by the great Art Young and his film Adventures in Alaska. In 1933, Bear was still in Detroit producing promotional materials for car companies, but took up archery as a sideline and learned to make his own bows, arrows, and string. Soon enough, this after-hours project would become Bear Archery.

Bear became a pioneer in the archery world, earning patents for tools such as the Razorhead Broadhead, the modern shooting glove, fiberglass bow backs and the bow quiver, tools used by bowhunters around the world.

Perhaps one of Bear’s most impressive inventions was the traditional take-down bow, a design that took Bear 20 years to perfect, beginning in 1947 through its debut in 1967. During that time, Bear tested numerous prototypes, until he was satisfied with a product that the average bowhunter could afford.

“You have to make sure you’re listening to the customer, and Fred Bear has listened to the customer as well as anyone else,” said Neil Byce, Operations Manager at Bear Archery.

“As you walk through the facility today, you will see on the walls…Fred Bear’s 10 Commandments, and we still live by them today,” said Jack Bowman, President of Bear Archery. “And we believe that the customer is number 1.”

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In addition to helping design and manufacture revolutionary archery products, Bear proved to be one of the top archers in the country, winning Michigan’s archery championships in 1934, 1937 and 1939. Bear made a name for himself in the state of Great Lakes by helping establish Michigan’s first bowhunting season in 1937, leading other states to follow suit.

“He was a guy who knew how to shape politics and nature in such a way that he didn’t offend anyone,” said Don Dvoroznak, CEO of Ripcord Arrow Rest. “He was a gentleman in everything he ever did. He was respected He was seen as a man of honor and I think that promoting the sport ethically and showing the sport when he first started filming I think was very crucial to the way it is today I think he set the stage to do it right.

Bear’s bowhunting skills would also break new ground cinematically. In 1942, Bear traveled to the Upper Peninsula with Jan Van Coevering of the Detroit Free Press. Van Coevering brought a film camera for hunting, and Bear was the first Michigan bow hunter to capture a whitetail on film. The footage was later used for Bear’s first hunting film, making him a household name.

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“He knew how to get it out there and show people how it was done, and the excitement and thrill of being in the woods was a way to get people involved,” Byce said. “And then of course when he filmed some of his big wildlife that he took from Alaska – like his brown bear – just a great video and people really thought that was the pinnacle of what they could do. Fred Bear led the way to going into videos and going to tournaments, being a tournament winner and also being a product innovator.”

Over the years, Bear has become an international bowhunting legend, fighting all manner of dangerous game with his trusty bow and arrow. Bear broke six different world archery records for different big game species – Alaskan brown bear, barren caribou, mountain caribou, Canadian moose and stone sheep.

Its hunting skills also proved deadly for elusive species around the world. In 1963 he took a Bengal tiger with him on a trip to India. The following year, during a trip to Africa, Bear dropped a 4-ton elephant from 40 meters. He returned to Africa in 1965 and took the second male lion ever shot with a bow and arrow – the first was taken by none other than Art Young – and a Cape buffalo. Finally, in 1966, Bear managed to take down a polar bear during a hunt later featured on ABC’s The American Sportsman, his third attempt at the elusive animal

In 1970, the Fred Bear Sports Club was formed and opened to the public two years later. In 1973, Bear was inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame along with Howard Hill, Ben Pearson, Ann Weber Hoyt, Maurice Thompson, Russ Hoogerhyde, and Karl Palmatier.

Bear’s archery expertise proved to be a valuable resource for aspiring archers and hunters, who tapped into Bear’s wisdom through his series of outdoor films, television shows, books and magazine articles.

Although Bear died in 1988 at the age of 86, his legend remains as alive as it has in decades past. Today, athletes like to remember him as a pioneer for bow hunters worldwide. The title “Father of Bowhunting” is a fitting tribute to an outdoor legend, and his example is one that should be revered by outdoor folks around the world.

Check out this clip from Fred Bear: The Father of Bowhunting, which airs at 10 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, September 12th on The Sportsman Channel – with never-before-seen clips and photos.

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Bear Archery was founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1933 by Fred Bear and Charles Piper as the Bear Products Company. Initially, the focus was on screen printing and advertising support work for automotive companies. In 1938 Bear hired Nels Grumley, a woodworker and bowmaker, and the company expanded to offer handcrafted bows. Nels was a fantastic craftsman and his skill was reflected in the quality of the bows he made. Early on, every single bow Nels made was either stamped with his name or signed, along with the words “Bear Products by Grumley” or “Bear Archery by Grumley”.

Fred Bear sold the Bear Products Company advertising side in 1940 to focus on archery. The bow shop was renamed Bear Archery. In 1947 the company moved to a new facility in Grayling, Michigan. The Grayling factory focused on the manufacture and marketing of recurve and longbows. After observing Ben Pearson’s successful endeavors in machine-making bows, Bear transitioned from hand-made bows to mass-produced bows made from fiberglass and other modern materials.

Automation didn’t sit well with Grumley, Bear’s main old-school bowmaker. Grumley knew that mass-producing bows with machines, rather than making each bow individually by hand, was not what he wanted, and despite Bear’s attempt to keep him, Grumley left Bear in 1948. Nels started his own bowmaking business. However, his private venture only lasted two years before he took a job as a model maker with an equipment manufacturer. Not all Bear bows made in these early years were made by Nels. There were dozens of other bowmakers making Bear wood bows, mostly lower-line lemonwood models like the Ranger. These bows were simply labeled “Bear Archery” in writing. After Grumley’s departure, Bear began using the famous “Running Bear” decal.

After Nel’s departure, Fred transferred another employee named Bob Meeker to oversee the manufacture of the new bow lines. Although bows in those days were largely the result of machine work, Bob was considered a bowmaker in his own right.

The first new bow model introduced after Nels’ departure in 1949 was the Grizzly. Polar and Kodiak were introduced the following year, 1950.

Fred had been tinkering with various styles of knockdown and knockdown bows for 30 years when he began working on a new design in the mid 1960’s that required no tools for assembly/disassembly of the limb and riser sections. Finally, in August 1969, the Bear Take-Down Recurve went into production and made its first appearance in the 1970 catalogue. Unfortunately, the TD did not sell well and the line was discontinued after only 2 years.

Fred was an avid hunter and promoter. By traveling the world and producing films about bowhunting, the bear’s name and face became famous among archers and hunters. Bear was involved in the design, development and manufacturing processes of his company. The archery equipment has been carefully inspected and tested by men with expertise in bow making and years of experience in the industry. Bear received a patent for something called “Glass Power,” which was strands of fiberglass bonded together and running the full length of each arch. Skillful workmanship, quality materials and precision machinery resulted in a high demand for these well-made bows. Bear’s various models of Kodiak bows became bestsellers and are still highly regarded today.

Fred Bear sold the company to Victor Comptometer in 1968 but remained president. From 1968 to the present, Bear has changed hands half a dozen times.

Bear wrote or starred in three books during his lifetime. The first was The Archer’s Bible in 1968. Many thousands of copies of this book were sold many years after its introduction. The next book was Fred Bear’s Field Notes, first published in 1976. It details many of Fred’s notable hunting adventures. The third book was Fred Bear’s World of Archery, published in 1979. This was a comprehensive book on archery and Fred’s involvement in it. Red Bear was also the first president of Michigan’s oldest archery club, the Detroit Archers.

Fred struggled with chronic emphysema later in life and suffered a heart attack while living in Florida and was admitted to a Gainesville hospital. He stayed in the hospital for a month and died on April 27, 1988 after suffering another heart attack. His body was cremated and his ashes scattered near the AuSable River in northern Michigan, where he enjoyed fly fishing.