I'm looking to add to my collection of Traditional Bows.

I currently own all Bear Archery equipment:

70's Bear Grizzly 40X# Bear Montana 50# 50th Anniversary T/D 60#

I need help knowing which of the below are good deals and or great shooting bows. I know this is all opinion but i would love to know what the favorites are to make sure not only i get a good price but a sweet shooter.

Here are the bows in the running so far:

-Martin Hatfield takedown. 62" for $275 -1958 Ben Pearson 954 takedown for $285+ship -Howatt Dreamcatcher for (waiting on price) -Highwood Hunter made by jerry parsons (also waiting on price) -Martin ML14 longbow (waiting on price) -58” Hoyt Pro-Hunter (waiting on price)

I will drop photos if that helps anyone but all appear to be in great condition with no limb twist or anything so far. Any help/opinions are appreciated greatly!

Update on a few prices:

Howatt Dream Catcher is $425+ship

Hoyt Pro-Hunter is $260+ship

Kinda' hard to determine the value to you without knowing the condition of the bows and your motivation for buying them.

You looking for something unique for a collection, something to expand a product line you already have, something similar to something you have?

Custom Fedora Take Down 60"

I've never heard of Fedora Bows, waiting on information as its the gentlemen's fathers.

Was just out shooting my Dreamcatcher. I've sometimes thought if I'd bought that bow first it might have been the last.

I often prefer more 'mass-y' bows for 3-D etc. but for a light bow to take on a walk in the deer woods it is sweet. Spits a hot arrow to boot. Planning to take it out on the 3D course tomorrow.

@FDP Im looking for something unique/different from what i already have. I would love to have a "collection" someday but at the same time i dont want a piece of wall art yet. I want something i can hunt with for years to come. I currently hunt with all 3 bows i have. Just different set ups for different scenarios.

I will try to add photos of the bows to show condition below.

Thanks!

Fedora is as good as they get. He doesn't build bows any more. You are never going to get another Dreamcatcher, or a Larry Hatfield era Howatt. The Ben Pearson will never be made again.

Never heard of a factory made Bear Montana takedown. The Grizzly is still in production. Lots of variables.

As far as shooting none are greater or less great shooting tjan the other.

How about Bear 59? Maybe a Black Widow takedown?

I vote for the Pearson

Slow down or you will be selling bows in a few months.

Fedora any day

Yes Fedora x 2

Just me but I find the grip to be the most important factor as to how I get along with a bow. I have trouble with high grips so I avoid them. Other then that, if you like the way it looks go for it. There is really not that much difference in performance between the bows that you mentioned.

In my opinion, i would get a bow thats currently in production. That way if something happens to it, itll be easy to replace if you truly love it.

Fedora, Hatfield, Dreamcatcher but it would depend entirely on the wood & looks. I am familar with all three. >>>----> Ken

The Hoyt Pro Hunter is almost a perfect clone of a Bear Kodiak Hunter. I had one and it shot nice but the limb folded in half.

Still waiting on the price of the Fedora. It is a Takedown which I read the one piece is more sought after but still highly reviewed nonetheless. I will have more info tomorrow.

The high wood hunters are out of my budget for the time being.

Also waiting on info for the Martin Longbow.

Also all of these bows are over 65#. I wanted something heavy to train with and possibly hunt with as well.

DreamCatcher is my vote.

I would like a Dreamcatcher.

Update:

I picked up the Martin ML-14 Longbow. The gentlemen said he bought the bow in the 80's and its just too heavy for him. He was willing to let it go for the cost of shipping so i couldn't say no to that!

I still might be picking up one of the others based off the price of the fedora in comparison to the dreamcatcher.

I really appreciate the help thus far.

@TradToTheBone, if i don't take it i can point you in the right direction. It is 65# @ 28".

2 Northern Mist Baraga Longbows have been added to the mix. $400

I've read great things about Northern Mist but never had the pleasure of shooting one.

Anyone here have experience with these?

Also the man with the Fedora decided to keep it. So that one is also off the table.

Contemplating an ILF Set up instead? Not sure yet

Don't listen to anyone! Unless they know you well, what you like, how you shoot, your draw length, and what's important to you about a bow. I've gotten way too many bows that well intentioned friends said I just had to get, and then found out I didn't like them.

It takes trying a lot of bows to learn what one likes. And deciding on what is important to you about a bow. The grip fitting well and being able to shoot the bow without thinking about how to hold it is important to most people. Then there's length of the bow and your draw length. How important is smoothness to you, vs. perhaps greater speed with some stacking at the end of your draw? Do you like small riser light bows in the hand, or big risers that feel stable and absorb shock? Lots of things to learn about yourself and what you like most. Focus on that then choose a bow that meets your criteria.

I really like that take. Im realizing that it will just take time to acquire more bows to find out what i like and what i don't. I'm excited to shoot something other than the Bear Archery bows, both old and new.

I need to find a traditional archery club or something as i dont personally know anyone else who shoots recurves and longbows in my area.

Yes, a club or range or going to events where you can at least hold and possibly try other bows is a good idea.

I have a lot of Bear bows. I like certain years and models and not others. It's not the brand as much as it is the bow.

I will add to Reddogge's comment about the Hoyt Pro Hunter being an "almost perfect clone of a Bear Kodiak Hunter"--it's actually the other way around. Earl Hoyt was already producing the 58" Pro Hunter when Bear came out with the KH in 1967, at the same 58" length, and with a virtually identical riser profile.

The story I've read is that Earl took Fred to lunch, and gently pointed out that the Bear KH was a carbon copy of his bow...and so consequently Fred decided to bump it up to a 60" bow in future years.

There are a lot of bows from one manufacturer that look like a bow from another manufacturer. If you look around, I'm sure you can find bows that look like Bear bow copies.

Get a Schaffer and be done with it.

Here is the Baraga

I have a Baraga 64" AMO, #52@28". For #400 you are getting a great deal but in the end you will get a better Bear Montana. It is up to you. If you like Montana, you will like Baraga too.

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