Bear Grizzly vs. Martin Hunter
 

Hello all,

I'd like to hear your comments on how the Bear Grizzly and the Martin Hunter compare to one another. I have narrowed my choice to one of these two bows and am looking for some advice. The one I choose will be a hunting bow as well as a target/recreation bow.

Any comments or experiences are welcome.

Thanks,

Ullr

RE: Bear Grizzly vs. Martin Hunter
 

It's been several years since I shot either one, but the way I remember them;

The Grizzly was a nice, handy size bow that drew and shot smooth as silk. I never noticed that much stack with it, but there was never a bow scale around when I was out with the bow, so I don't know what it was drawing. I was deadly accurate with it, but finger pinch at 32" draw was a little rough.

The Martin drew real nice up to about 29" and then I got into some stack. It stacks harder the further you pull it. At 32", my 45 pound bow was drawing nearly 60 pounds! It was good and accurate and shot a bit quicker arrow than the Grizzly. Since it's longer than the Grizz, finger pinch wasn't too bad.

They're both great production bows. I'd prefer the Kodiak Hunter over either of them, but that comes under the heading of personal preference.



Edited by - Arthur P on 11/29/2002 08:11:08

RE: Bear Grizzly vs. Martin Hunter
 

I owned the Martin Hunter for several years before I got into longbows and I think it is a well made bow. What I don't like about that bow and other recurves is the large handle area but that is just preference. I was at Cabelas in Dundee Michigan the other night and saw a Bear Montana and a Bear recurve in the Bargain Room where they stick returns. You may want to give them a call and ask about the Bear recurve as it was marked down over 100 dollars I think and it looked in brand new shape. I also had the oportunity to shoot Byron Fergusons Patriot made under the Bear name and I liked the way it shot for a 64 inch longbow (my preferences are 68"to 70" Howard Hill Longbows of which I've bought seven in the past five years). At 430 dollars new the Patriot is a very nice longbow in my opinion. Hope this was some help to you.

RE: Bear Grizzly vs. Martin Hunter
 

Welcome, it's good to see you here.

The only Griz I've had any experience with was one made in the 70s and there was lots of stack, even at my relatively short draw of just under 28". Finger pinch would be uncomfortable for people with longer draws.

We still own a relatively new (3 years old) Martin Hunter and like was stated, on draws past 29", it stacks. For me, the bow is fast and accurate, but does have some handshock as compared to other recurve bows in the same weight range that I've shot.

If they were the only two bows that I could choose between, I'd take the Martin. But I gotta say, there are much better bows on the market than either of them and for less money.

If this is your first stick, my suggestion would be to go 40-45# at your draw with the bow, which is why I recommend to anyone starting out to get a good used bow in that weight range so they can work on form without having to worry about being overbowed and spending a ton of money.

You may also want to consider buying the bow according to your eye dominance, instead of strong side of body.

Make em sharp and shoot em straight, or leave em home.

RE: Bear Grizzly vs. Martin Hunter
 

Between the Bear and the Martin, I'd choose the Martin. Haven't shot either one in a few years though. I have a Martin coming that I traded for, might shoot it a few times before I sell/trade it to see if it shoots like the one I owned several years ago. I don't care for the newer Bear bows.

Chad

Long Bows Rule!

RE: Bear Grizzly vs. Martin Hunter
 

Hey guys,

Thanks for the responses. They have been very helpfull. This is not my first recurve but it has been around 20 years since I've shot one. I have recently felt a need to move back to trad archery. In short, I'm looking for a production model to get me back in the groove and to tide me over while I decide on a good custom or make one of my own... Now there is a seperate issue... Anybody have any experience dealing with Bingham Projects or with using their bowmaking materials and instructions? What type of quality can I expect as a final product?

Thanks again,

Ullr

RE: Bear Grizzly vs. Martin Hunter
 

Ullr, I really don't think you can go wrong with either. I have had plenty of Martin bows, still have 3, including a left-handed Hunter
(I try to shoot offhand at times). Nothing fancy, just good bows. I have shot Grizzlys and found them to be good, no frills bows. I actually like the new Grizzy grip better than the old one, though I haven't shot a recent production model, only the older Griz.

Don't know if that helps, but hope it does.

YBIC,
Dave ><>

Matt 6:33,34/Rev 3:20

RE: Bear Grizzly vs. Martin Hunter
 

I own both and prefer the Martin.

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Bear Grizzly vs. Martin Hunter
 

Ya done learned me well Bob!