I was in Bass Pro in Toronto yesterday and they had a new Bear takedown bow with bolt on limbs. Can't remember the model name (should have written it down or snapped a pic with my phone - d'oh!) but it started with an s... Sonoma or something maybe? They had one in 45# and one in 50#. About $150... And that's Canadian money! Anyone know any thing about this? Don't see it on their website...

Just found it in the youth section of the website. It is Sonoma. Decent looking bow.

I think Big Jim has some on his site too. Seems like they were cheaper than other sites I have seen too.

I saw a picture of one dingas. I thought maybe made by Samick or Greatree for Bear? Don't know that, just a guess.

It did kind of remind me of the sage but maybe a little nicer wood

Bear can't be bothered with such nonsense these days! They are made in Korea.

I had a thread a while back on the Sonma. Handle is very blocky, some I have seen have a lot of wood knots in the riser, almost looks like a pine of some sort. May have Bear's name on it but IT IS NOT a Bear bow. Samick Sage and Journey risers are hands over fists better than these. I am suprized you saw one as a 50# bow, their catalog states they come in 40#-45#'s. I beleive the one's I saw the other day were $159. Needless to say I am very unimpressed. DANNY

I think it's a great idea. At current rates of pay, Bear can't produce entry level bows to get kids, and those of lower income into archery. The Greatree bows are very good shooting bows. Martin has been doing it for awhile also with entry level bows. It makes sense for archery, and it makes sense for Bear. It gives name recognition to Bear on a takedown that is affordable to just about everyone. Likely that most of the people who buy them will step up to an American made Bear bow down the road.

You can be unimpressed, or even appalled, but that matters not to the first buyer who gets to shoot a Bear bow for under $200.00. And I have owned that same takedown in Osprey and Goshawk models...and they were not blocky, and they shot well very well. And, in addition, they do get folks into archery that can'f afford to throw around dollars like they grow on trees. That leads to arrow sales, point sales, and all other kind of sundry accessory sales..tabs, arm guards, gloves, etc. It's a good thing in my view and PSE has done it for years, as has Fleetwood, and as mentioned, Martin.

I totally agree with George. I started out with two factory starter bows from PSE. The first is a BLACKHAWK Recurve and it actually does a fine job. Then I bought a SEQUOIA Longbow with an R/D design. It too, performs very well. In fact I like it a great deal. They both got me to get out and shooting a lot and helped me to learn what works and what doesn't. Now, of course, I have spent a fair amount on gloves, tabs, strings, quivers and of course, arrows. I have also started down the path of other bows but I am keeping both of the PSE's both as backups and loaners.

I would be interested to know what company actually built the bows for PSE as I believe they did a very good bow for reasonable cost. I have enjoyed both bows from day one.

Don't anyone shoot, but I'd suggest a Bear Grizzly. Great bow & doesn't have to be entry level either. I like the way they shoot.

Guess I have to agree with George on this one…

People whose budget will only permit an imported bow are either going to buy an import or forget the whole deal, so by offering an entry-level shooter of reasonably good quality, they are creating brand loyalty for future purchases.

Much better that new shooters succeed with a very light bow and then upgrade than that they try to start in at “hunting weight” and them give up because they can’t manage the bow well…

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