The Bear Grizzly, Hands down!!!!!

Affordable, Reliable, and you never have to worry about beating the snot out of it!!!      

well to me there are three types I like...any longbow with narrow limbs that includes hill style and moderate reflex deflex bows..the narrow limbs seem to forgive a sloppy release when they happen...I like the old style recurves that have longbow handles.....and all the old BEAR bows...they all seem to have their own soul...If I had to pick one bow I would be in trouble....but if i did and only shot it...I suspect I would be a better archer/hunter as mastering one weapon....is better than shooting several bows well....but It is too much fun shooting different bows !!!!!!

I'm surprised no one has chimed in about the Red Wing Hunter.  Perfect length for tree stand hunting and has been proven effective since the 60's.  I vote for the Wing bow.

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

Bernie...You just did.    It was my first real composite recurve...good bow

'62 Bear Kodiak Magnum. Carries well through the woods, shoots outstanding, fantastic feeling grip,  and has great looking rosewood.  Been many copies since it came out, but few have shot as smooth or looked as good.

my 67' Wilson Brothers Widow....60"...45#...dead quiet...very fast bow for 45#....perfect for me...

Wooden Riser Bear Takedown by far the best bow I have I ever owned..

jack
"My preference is my Jack Howard GameMaster Jet Camo (Surprise- HUH?), even though I hunt from tree stands in the Georgia piney forests."
 I'm not surprised at all--and have noticed that when I hold my bow arm out to shoot from my tree stand --my bow length didn't matter in the least!
  [I forgot about this thread]

tom--I certainly agree about the bombproof nature of the American longbow!!and have dropped/dragged /fallen on--you name it!!and shot clean trough a lot of game with my favorite bow--I had to wipe finish on the tips this last season-seems i had worn it off! shes due for a complete refinish this year!

I've never met a bow that I didn't like!!!    They all appeal to my eye and most seem to be comfortable in hand. I've owned all types of long bows, and recurves, so this is a tough one.  as far as vintage bows, I'll say my '62 Red Wing Hunter. Its 58" is perfect for my tree stand set up.  the grip fills my hand nicely and the shelf sits right on top of my hand.

Ha, Bernie, I just read your post!!!!!!  BTW, My dads name is Bernie B!!!!!!!

Years ago, it was the Red Wing Hunter. Now, as far as handiness and quietness, it is (IMHO) a 58" Dale Dye Trails End. Good hunting bow.

The best: any bow with a Bear medallion inlaid into the riser. The Super Kodiak and Grizzly are hard to beat. The Montana is great too.

Red wing hunter

my 50 year old Howatt Hunter - for myself
---------------------------------------------------
Best hunting bow ever made? It is perhaps the LDB?

Any of my herd of Bear takedowns....

 

Sometimes you hunt with what you got... I was born into all things Damon Howatt...my father was a master bowyer at the Howatt Plant, learned the craft from Mr.Howatt and his right hand Earl Silvers back in the 50's.  The rosewood Super Diablo's in the 50#-60# range is my personal favorite bow and as mentioned above, the Howatt Hunter is another good choice.  Especially if you're lucky to find a rosewood vintage bow.

Jon,

Welcome to Tradgang.  The Howatt bows are excellent bows. I look forward to seeing some of your posts in the future, especially anything about the history of Howatt bows. I've shot several Howatt Hunters (newer and older) as well as a Mamba from about 15 years ago.  Very underrated bows in my humble opinion.

mmmmm  for me personally I would say Browning Explorer or Red Wing Hunter from personal experience.


From popularity I would say it would have to be the Bear Grizzly....

In the end there is no BEST BOW for everyone, every situation...it is always personal preference.

I do love my Browning Explorer  

Sometimes you hunt with what you got... I was born into all things Damon Howatt...my father was a master bowyer at the Howatt Plant, learned the craft from Mr.Howatt and his right hand Earl Silvers back in the 50's.  The rosewood Super Diablo's in the 50#-60# range is my personal favorite bow and as mentioned above, the Howatt Hunter is another good choice.  Especially if you're lucky to find a rosewood vintage bow.

yeah those Howatt Hunters and even the Mamba were crowd favorites.