Bear Grizzly Recurve review
Verdict: The Grizzly has been in production since 1950. It is 58 in of shelf-shot, bear-hair-rest recurve that whitetail hunters keep for 30 years. Short enough for treestands, honest enough to teach form, quiet enough to matter.
What real users are saying
Below are pulled quotes from Archery Talk, Rokslide, and hands-on reviews. Attribution links to the original thread or article.
At 58 inches, the Grizzly is shorter than many recurves, making it easier to maneuver in tight spaces without giving up real hunting power.
Bear Archery’s Complete Guide to Archery review (beararchery.com/blogs/base-camp-archery-blog/bear-grizzly-recurve-review-complete-guide-to-archery)
Bear made the last design change to the Grizzly in 1964. If a company has not changed the design in 60 years, they got it right.
3 Rivers Archery Grizzly product page (3riversarchery.com)
You shoot off the riser shelf, which is covered with natural bear hair. The result is better accuracy, especially for beginners who haven’t mastered their shot.
Archery Notes 2026 update (archerynotes.com/bear-archery-grizzly-recurve-bow)
Real specs
| Type | Traditional recurve |
| Axle-to-axle | 58 in overall length |
| Brace height | 7.5-8.25 in |
| IBO / speed | not applicable (170-180 fps typical) |
| Draw weight | 35-60 lb (fixed) |
| Draw-length range | see manufacturer |
| Physical weight | 1.6 lb |
| Cam system | none (traditional recurve) |
| Let-off | 0% |
| MSRP | $499 |
What it is good for
- Whitetail still-hunters and stalkers who take 20 yd and closer shots
- Traditional archery converts from a compound background
- Instinctive shooters who want a proven, unchanged design
Honest complaints from owners
Every bow has trade-offs. These come from forum threads, not marketing pages.
- Not a distance bow. Practical hunting range is 20 yd for most shooters
- Fixed draw weight, no down-adjust. Order the weight you can shoot 100 arrows with
- Shelf rest requires a leather or hair strike plate to stay quiet
Who should consider it
The bowhunter who wants a lifetime bow, is willing to invest a year in learning instinctive form, and hunts thick cover under 25 yd.
Similar bows to compare
- Diamond Infinite Edge Pro ($399)
- Bear Whitetail Legend ($549)
- Hoyt Ventum Pro 30 ($1,249)
This is a consumer-sentiment review, not a purchase recommendation. Prices reflect MSRP or typical street pricing at time of publication and vary by dealer, region, and season. Verify current specs on the manufacturer’s site before buying. See the Best Hunting Bows hub for how Bear Grizzly Recurve compares to nine other consumer favorites.