Bear Montana vs Bear Grizzly
Quick take: The Bear Grizzly costs $30 less.
| Spec | Bear Montana | Bear Grizzly |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $530 | $500 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (17) | 4.8★ (26) |
| Type | Longbow | One-Piece Recurve |
| ATA/IBO Speed | — | — |
| Length | 64" | 58" |
| Brace Height | 8" | 8" |
| Draw Weights | 30-60 lb in 5 lb steps @ 28" | 25-60 lb in 5 lb steps @ 28" (LH limited to 35-55 lb) |
| Draw Length | — | — |
| Let-Off | — | — |
| Mass Weight | — | — |
| Construction | One-piece | One-piece |
| Setup | String it with a longbow-style stringer and set brace height in the recommended 7.5-8.5 inch window — running it too low is the top cause of hand-shock complaints. The leather shelf rug and side plate come installed; shoot feathers off the shelf. Because the window isn't cut to center, tune with slightly weaker-spined arrows than a recurve would need, and favor heavy (10+ gpp) arrows, which also quiet the bow. Choose 45-50 lb for deer and elk; the DF97 string is fast-flight so no upgrade is needed. | Always string it with a bow stringer — never the step-through method. It comes ready to shoot off the included bear hair rest and leather side plate, and start tuning at the recommended 7.5-8.5 inch brace height, twisting the string up until it quiets down. Keep the stock Dacron-class string; the tips aren't rated fast-flight. For whitetail hunting, 40-45 lb at your draw is plenty; the 50 lb version covers elk-class game. |
| Warranty | 1-year limited to original owner (Bear Archery; online registration within 30 days required) | 1-year limited to original owner (Bear Archery; online registration within 30 days required) |
Pros & cons
Bear Montana
- ✓Proven entry longbow with nearly 30 years in the Bear catalog
- ✓Slight reflex gives better cast than straight-limb Hill-style bows
- ✓64" length avoids stack and finger pinch to ~29" draws
- ✓4.4/5 Amazon rating and strong forum word of mouth
- ✓Fast-flight rated with Dynaflight 97 Flemish string included
- ✓Very light in hand for spot-and-stalk or all-day still-hunting
- ✓Leather grip, shelf rug, and side plate included — hunt-ready out of the box
- ✗Noticeable hand shock if brace height is low or arrows are light
- ✗Sight window not cut past center — spine tuning is fussier than a recurve
- ✗Slower than hybrid longbows like the Bodnik Quick Stick
- ✗No 25 lb option for pure beginners; LH stock is inconsistent
- ✗Street price has crept from ~$400 to ~$530 in recent years
Bear Grizzly
- ✓75-year production heritage with a proven 1964 design
- ✓Cut-on-center, radiused shelf makes arrow tuning forgiving
- ✓58" length is handy in a stand or blind yet still smooth
- ✓4.8/5 average from Walmart buyers; 67 reviews logged at 3Rivers
- ✓Wide 25-60 lb weight range covers youth practice to elk hunting
- ✓Riser is tapped for a bolt-on quiver
- ✓Quiet and nearly shock-free when brace height is tuned
- ✓Broad parts/string availability and strong resale value
- ✗Not fast-flight rated — you're locked into stretchy Dacron strings
- ✗Grip is blocky compared to custom bows; some shooters reshape it
- ✗Marked draw weights often run 1-3 lb heavy
- ✗Stacks past ~29" draw lengths
- ✗Left-hand weight selection is limited (35-55 lb)
- ✗Frequently backordered 2-3 weeks at major retailers