Bear Montana Review

In this video we take a look at the Bear Montana American Longbow (Flat bow) from Bear Archery Products...
"A cracking little bow thats surprisingly fast"
Check the bow out here:
www.merlinarchery.co.uk/bear-m...
Check the arrows out here:
www.merlinarchery.co.uk/easton...
A big thank you to Jeff Kavanagh for the fantastic intro. Please check his youtube channel out here:
/ jeff2008lucywill
Please Come check us out at...
www.merlinarchery.co.uk
Facebook: / merlinarchery
Twitter: @MerlinArchery
@GrizzlyArchery
Tumblr: / archeryadventures
Instagram: / jimgrizzlykent
or drop me a line at [e-mail]
Take care and shoot straight

[@billgerard4687]

I love shooting my Bear Montana, smooth shooting and quiet and I don't notice any hand shock shooting 10 grain per inch arrows. It has become my favorite bow to shoot.

[@tomellendorf7236]

I'm shooting a 55# with a 700 grain arrow and it still has shock. What pound bow are you shooting?

[@billgerard4687]

40#

[@niksutherland4280]

Have you hunted with this?

[@LambChopper678]

This is one of my favorite videos on KZbin

[@victorwaddell6530]

Hello , Mate ! Several years ago I bought a Bear Montana at a gun show in South Carolina for $75 US . The original finish , leather handwrap , golden medallion , and golden script were missing . The place where the medallion was located is on the right side below the grip . She is still a great shooter despite the lack of cosmetic features . Just shows how quality was built into the bow and can be used over many years and more than one owner . A couple of weeks ago I scored big time at Academy Sports , picking up a new Bear Grizzly 45 lb on clearance for $125. So I have $200 US in both bows . Full price for both bows brand new would cost $800.today . I started off shooting compoud bows as a teenager in the 1980s , but as Ive aged I've come to prefer traditional archery . To me a compound bow is a heavy piece of machinery , whereas a trad bow is more in keeping with the spirit of what archery is all about .

[@MrIdasam]

I'm getting mine in a couple of days, really looking forward to it.

[@armoredsquirrelvideo]

Love your videos! I just bought this bow today. Shoots amazing.

[@danield1938]

Jeff Kavanaugh is the man!! love your videos too!! thank you

[@MarkMphonoman]

Nice shooting and great video. Thanks. Mark

[@Motoguzzi750]

Nice review Jim and its a fine looking bow. I'm a fan of Bear myself despite having only owned one ever..there is something about them that is not frivolous (apart from the Delta V but that was way back!!!)

[@user-gd7fx4jf5c]

Your release is excellent... Makes me want to practice more with my Satori

[@romearc8893]

Nice review Jim. Do you have a review on the Bear T/D. I'm planning to get this. Thanks!

[@tradshootermustang3214]

hi jim , was wondering how the montana would compare to the bodnik slick stick ? looking to pick up a longbow to change things up a little from my td recurve . love your videos , ive learned a ton from them , thanks !

[@philipoliver9409]

great review. got one myself in 40#. what is your draw length /arrow length as I am trying to get my head around 600 spine carbons that you are using?

[@TheMrWillje]

Will you be planning to do an updated review of the KG Osprey? I know you have one on Archery Adventures, but the review format of this channel is brilliant and would make it easier to compare the Osprey to other bows. Great review by the way!

[@TimothyRyanFisher]

Nice right groupings, I'm impressed.

[@wdfjr69]

I purchased the Easton Axis shafts. Can you please tell me the setup for the vanes and fletching . I really like the set up you have in the video. I am very new to traditional Bows and appreciate any advice. I just purchased the Bear Montana bow. I need to know all the specifications on the arrows. Thanks

[@jackmorrison4382]

I am a fan of the Bear company too. Do you think the 40 lb Bear Montana would be a good way to get into traditional archery? I have a Bear young gun compound shooting at 46lbs. Thanks nice review

[@baliocelot2537]

Man I have wanted that bow for a while!

[@chriskurth]

My only reservation with the Montana is the grip and the hand shock. In my review I hadn't really shot many other bows, so I said there was no hand shock haha Guess I need to amend my review. The grip, while it does provide the extra comfort, is an eye sore and the bow looks lovely once you remove it. In doing so, the hand shock slightly increases, and the squared design of the grip becomes uncomfortable (for me at least) after shooting a bit. Little bit of a trade off I guess. Over all it's a lovely bow for the price and it's got the Bear reputation. Great review Grizz, thanks for outdoing me yet again haha Much love my friend - Inked Archer

[@sevensurvival]

Very good review, well done, thanks, respect.......Seven Thunders

[@paulmilani8654]

Hello Jim... I have a quick question about your feathers. What brand and what color are they in the video? I have been looking for something brighter and that's the color I want but when I order what I think they are I'm getting something different. Are they lime green or chartreuse? I notice different brands seem to vary. Anyways thanks.

[@lordspamify]

not matched arrows, hits within 1inch of point. wtf not fair :( ican hit the red ring on an olympic style boss from 10m with the Hungarian practising recurve from merlin and merlin premium wooden arrows

[@GEOSPAN1]

That's a really good looking bow

[@mollylozeau3358]

What is the brand of your arm bracer? It's solid and awesome and my husband needs one. Thanks!

[@Mike-om3ly]

I was thinking about getting this bow. what string did you put on yours?

[@laffertyesq]

Are there any Bear products that allow you to draw the arrow from the right side of the bow ?

[@TaiiLuder]

Im quilt new to archery but I always heard that the cock feder should be away from the arrow rest but if I'm not misstaken you flipped it the other way a couple of times.. just curios, doesn't it madder? Im shooting a hunt recurve btw, it it make a difference. And also, as always a great video :)

[@mattharris925]

I purchased the Bear Montana bow 28/45# its not a bad bow. I am still working with the D-98 to get the brace height right.I am still liking my 1964 Bear Kodiak much better at this point.

[@pedromachado9677]

"bear" with me ahauhauhau good one!

[@kiwisdad1]

It blows me away how you can get those 600's to fly like that out of that bow. Nice shooting!

[@MerlinArchery]

Nuttn Much Thanks! Big feathers help lol

[@brianlocal3]

I’m with you there I shoot 28.5” 500 with 125 up front from my 45 lb

[@nickhorton785]

Looks like a great performing bow without a custom bow price tag.

[@richmerlo2769]

I have a Bear Montana 40 # @ 28 " it shoots smoothly ,I've been shooting traditional for about 2 1/2 years now and finally getting better groups ,but I must say you shoot awesome ,Can't say that I had 6 arrows group that nicely yet , just gotta keep practicing . One thing I have to say is my draw length is 31" so that 40# bow stacks to 52# @ 31", anyway great video nice bow good shooting to you !

[@kentwilliams3326]

That is a lot of stack!

[@abrahamwashington3080]

where did you get the feathers's from i tried looking for them but i couldn't find them

[@miragexl007]

interesting. saw this bow at a shop. considering it...I do compounds 65 lbs about. thought I would get 55 lbs in longbow. guess I need to shoot it to see though. opinions on weight?

[@germanictradlifewarriorarc6414]

What is the disadvantage of hand shock? I think it's enough to shoot

[@jimjames8234]

That is Very impressive shooting at what seems to be 20 to 25 yards from the delay of shot to impact.( I don't know meters to yards) Hat off to you sir. shooting like that takes talent and discipline.

[@jeddfarley]

Where can I buy that quiver or holder you have on the bow?? I like how it looks traditional.

[@cen_caloutdoormans5378]

Selway makes them

[@tzolkosky]

Superb shooting! I enjoy your videos, they are very well put together. You could be Ewan McGregors twin brother BTW.

[@MerlinArchery]

Todd Zolkosky lol thank you.... :)

[@willywantoknow2563]

I dont have a chronograph, but im shooting 500gr arrows with a #60. Given the #45 with 400gr arrows @170fps could I assume accurately that I'm nearer to 180fps?

[@MarkMphonoman]

I noticed your arrows are a bit long. Do you cut them to that length on purpose? Curious as to why? I am trying to determine what the best length is. Thanks, Mark

[@MrJkosta]

Wow, great shooting :)

[@ursbasteck]

Man, I've just looked at Bear's website for the... nth time. This has to be my dream bow.

[@goodolfashion]

Did you ever get it? I had the same feeling about the Kodiak, ordered it last week :)

[@NathanSkyrme]

Aaaa Grizz! You're right she is a beaut! Pity I'm skint!

[@theroie]

hey...love your vids!!! i have a question where did you buy your arm guard?

[@kiwisdad1]

Hey Jim, sorry to keep bugging you on this vid - I actually own a Montana that I absolutely love, really - by far my favourite bow thus far. I'm not a $1,000 bow kind of guy but I wouldn't mind getting another longbow. Can you suggest something? Is the Ausauble the next logical step offering a different experience than the the Montana??? Thanks for what you do man!

[@Vccine]

Nuttn Much You should look into Bodnik bows as well as Falco bows.

[@kiwisdad1]

I have a Bodnik that I quite like... but to quote Grizzly Jim "i''m a bit of a Bear 'fan-boy'" myself. I know there are other bows out there... just looking for opinions. But, probably more realistic just looking for someone to confirm what I'm probably gonna do anyway :) Thanks for the comment. Take care!

[@Gamerdude535]

The Ausable is a great choice if you want a reflex-deflex longbow. Other good choices for modern longbows include Martin Archery Savannah, OMP Ozark Hunter Longbow, There's also now a one-piece longbow variant of the samick sage but I can only find it on lancaster archery supply

[@CJFranciss]

X2 for the bodnik. I own a montana and shot a bearpaw bodnik slick stick. Safe to say it will definitely be my next bow

[@ThermalDynamicSevices]

What bow was that at the beginning of the video?

[@bowman321123]

Bear boy shooting Bear bow barebow? I can hardly Bear it!

[@kentwilliams3326]

Love it!

[@adriannasanchez468]

These bows are solid. Hit a dead on bullseye at 20 yards first shot.

[@binaryvip]

love this bow .....

[@AmirAli-mm7bn]

At 3:03 : "You'll probably have to BEAR with me." HAH hah. Bear.

[@BRUSHWOLF-qn6qh]

are long bows better then recurve baow? I have a Bear 60" Super Kodiak 50#. Are long bows easer to shoot?

[@aribonneville5870]

+BRUSHWOLF2718 They are more forgiving, you can't torque the shot with a longbow. Less noise as the string doesn't contact limbs. May feel that they are more easy/smoother to draw because longer limbs.

[@jamesgretsch4894]

What do you like better, Montana or AuSable?

[@garymills463]

I wish I could group like you Grizzly. Do you give lessons?

[@Hitman25100]

What weight insert did you use in the axis traditional arrows? I saw another review you did and you were using the full weight insert of 75grns, do you ever cut the inserts down to 50 grns. Keep making the videos they are great to watch and very informative.

[@MerlinArchery]

Dave A Thank you very much! its very kind of you to say :) Yeah those are the 75grns i have cut then down before... its just a case of finding what works best for the bow... Hope that helps Dave?

[@ger337]

Dave A „

[@juainott5281]

Oh everyone loves this bow, i think its an awesome bow

[@kiwisdad1]

I'm surprised you didn't say anything about the odd little rest and strike plate that it comes with? Would you replace it Jim? I was thinking of putting a Bear Hair on mine... any thoughts?

[@MerlinArchery]

Nuttn Much MMmmmm, just depends on what works for you buddy? Try them both out see what works for you :)

[@simonnguyen5968]

What was the bow Jeff was holding in the intro? It looks absolutely amazing.

[@Gamerdude535]

Simon Nguyen That beauty is bear archery's takedown recurve bow good sir :). Comes in different woods and riser/limb lengths

[@duncansn7405]

hey what was your bow draw weight?

[@niksutherland4280]

Would you take this over a bear grizzly? Academy sports is dixing around with my order and I'm so tempted to cancel it and buy this bow. Any opinion? I'm sure I'll still be waiting for them to ship it by the time you respond

[@robdar102]

Is that the string that came with the bow?

[@Traveler2112]

Nice review. I shoot a Bear Montana 55#. (Was shooting a Bear Grizzly mostly before I got the Montana). I shoot a lot and also found that the D97 string could be better. My problem with the string is that the serving is sliding/kinda loose one the bow string. It develops gaps and I literally will spread it back even on the string at times. Don't know if its an issue with the way the serving grips or doesn't grip the D97 string or what. Love shooting the bow though. I have had my 3 best 3D tournament scores with my Montana. For a mass produced bow I think its pretty awesome. And yes, Jeff Kavanagh is an awesome shooter too! ~ Bo Webb

[@MerlinArchery]

The specs are at the end :)

[@Traveler2112]

MerlinArchery Oops! My apologies!

[@bobcasteel4789]

I love you reviews but I wish you do one on the Bear TD recurve . Thanks very respectfully Bob CaSteel

[@MerlinArchery]

It's on the way Bob... :)

[@game-ium]

Awesome bow, very jealous! Are we allowed to send you some of our own intro clips? :)

[@MerlinArchery]

Feel free :)

[@jennytorralba]

JEFF!!! :D

[@thelonerider9693]

Coming from recurves, is it normal to use a 'more 'flexible' arrow with longbows? I normally shoot 45-60 lbs and was using 400 or 500 spine arrows respectively. Unfortunately my archery shop is out of 400s but has 500 and 600. Was thinking I should get 500s for my new longbow (45lb) but now wondering if the 600 is better?

[@MerlinArchery]

I think 500 would be a good jumping off point buddy

[@thelonerider9693]

@@MerlinArchery Thank you!

[@mikeseeley1042]

Perusing the comments, I can't believe they all don't lead with..."Nice Groups!". Very good shooting indeed, Sir.

[@brandonblomme7797]

Jeff is the best

[@TheKevinwildman]

There is a left handed bow, I have one that's made for both left and right handed but it's over 40 years maybe over 60 years old

[@olecrankbaitbasstracker2028]

TheKevinwildman what's the name of it?

[@mathewclarke1022]

Hi mate where did u get that bow quiver from if u don't mind me asking pls.

[@MerlinArchery]

It's a Sellway... Hopefully we will be stocking them sometime soon?

[@tylerparker3024]

Gosh whats your brace height set at

[@williamfloyd5729]

Hello , can you please tell me the brand and length of the feathers. I am learning to place the fletching on the arrows and really like your set up. I have ordered everything including the Easton Axis Trads, I just need info on the feathers. Thank you William in Missouri

[@wdfjr69]

Hello?

[@wdfjr69]

Please reply

[@Gamerdude535]

He uses Trueflight 5 inch shield cut feathers

[@williamfloyd5729]

Thank you very much!!

[@Gamerdude535]

William Floyd You're welcome

[@olecrankbaitbasstracker2028]

Nice group

[@jacobbush1419]

make a vid about installing nocking points

[@wdfjr69]

Agreed

[@randyscott9034]

I’m not sure I like my Montana I love the design but it seems to lack punch

[@nas_ali10]

Hi can you tell me which quiver you use pls?

[@MerlinArchery]

the bow quiver is a selway and the back quiver is a timber creek Big bear i think? :)

[@dannyyjs]

Hi. could you by any chance do more reviews on other bear products.. i've been following your reviews and love them.. been looking into a recurve by bear for awhile and i wanted to watch a good review before i made the choice. thanks :)

[@dannyyjs]

*make

[@MerlinArchery]

We have a video on the Bear grizzly and the bear Kodiak takedown coming soon if that helps? :)

[@dannyyjs]

MerlinArchery YES FANTASTIC !! thank you very much :)

[@dannyyjs]

MerlinArchery btw i was wondering.. what are your thoughts on a longbow from falco vs a longbow from bear? :)

[@douglasbecauseyouchaseandk8010]

Very Good,Very Good Douglas Fonseca Salvador/ Bahia/ Brazil

[@TimothyRyanFisher]

You are a very good shot, any advice welcome, my groupings are so wide, you are spot on, nice work.

[@salamenderman3460]

Plese do a samick sage!

[@MerlinArchery]

That could be on the cards ;)

[@lordkalistos4124]

how many arrows do you shoot a day??

[@MerlinArchery]

Not as many as i'd like :(

[@MrBlackhawk49]

First time i shot a flatbow -borrowed from a friend- i was like "nope!" Then a fe month later i happened to accompanie him when he was buying some stuff for archery and i somehow happened to try a bow they got in the shope and well...yeeah

[@alexhalsall2909]

does this bow come in left handed?

[@victorwaddell6530]

Yes it does , but the options for draw weight are limited compared to right handed models .

[@tzolkosky]

You should have a go at a Toelke Whip one of these days. A very fine bow.

[@JGC175]

Question are you putting the odd feather in?

[@MerlinArchery]

For the most part I shoot cock feather in...(there is a reason... there is the truth and there is the BS, but I shall go into that at a later date) Have done for a while now :) though sometimes I forget usually when I'm talking to someone...

[@JGC175]

How crazy. I never would have known that was even a thing. In truth I've seen like every video you've made and never noticed even.

[@MerlinArchery]

For me it's not really that big a deal... :)

[@troy4219]

The hand shock on this bow is horrible rist begins to hurt after a bit of shooting.

[@jake4194]

All these American style longbows shoot like that, the Montana is actually better shooting than most regarding hand shock

[@MuhammadAbdullah-cj6nx]

I think you are the new Howard Hill. or Robin Hood. that was some nice shooting. very nice :)

[@wataboutya9310]

I'm right handed, but left eye dominant, so I shoot left handed bows.

[@victorwaddell6530]

Im right handed and left eye dominant also . I shoot archery right handed and switch hit with firearms . I own a Bear Montana Longbow and a Bear Grizzly Recurve , both are right handed . My Montana is missing the medallion , but the circle where the medallion once was is on the right side below the grip .

[@beaker007j]

Can the limb twist on it?

[@MerlinArchery]

+beaker007j limbs can twist on any bow if you don't look after it correctly :)

[@Gamerdude535]

Iirc a longbow is considerably more resilient to twisting due to the narrower and thicker limbs.

[@ThisGameWillWork]

I can't wait for the rest of the Hoyt trad line up (gm and tr)

[@MerlinArchery]

Gamemaster II is next on the list ;)

[@BartekCzuwara]

MerlinArchery I own that bow, with 2 sets of TradTech carbon limbs. Cool rig! Great vids, mate!!

[@MerlinArchery]

Thank you Bartek Czuwara

[@Xaxxus]

I just got one of these Montanas and when I was at the range a fellow member commented that the bow is too short for someone of my height. is there any risk to damaging the bow with my draw length (30 inch) also what armguard is that?

[@rhysc9706]

Brent Mifsud Shouldn't matter as long as the bow doesn't stack or if poundage is too high. I've watched youtube archers use bows from 68" to 52" and they shoot fine. There's a 'preferred' bow length to best suit your height, but it doesn't really matter from what I know. 30" draw length is fine, as long as the bow doesn't stack, so shorter bows (such as the bear kodiak magnum possibly) may not suit you. It would take an inhumane amount of strength to damage a bow with a long draw length, so don't worry about it :)

[@derickwaters3061]

I can draw an uncut arrow off my rest with my Montana. I purchased it at 35 lbs so it can stack all it wants, I'm actually hoping it does and I get 40-45 out of it at my full draw. Love this bow 5 stars - no complaints

[@noonster55]

brace height looks really high.

[@hoasjhdfiadsf]

how is 175fps compared to other 45 pound bows?

[@MikoArcher]

an arrow of weight?

[@MerlinArchery]

175 is ok... though Bear never put a lot of emphasis of speed... Personally I'd take stability over speed any day :)

[@MikoArcher]

Boast: my longbow can 190 FPS 8 Gr/pound (40# 28" 64 inch modernlong)

[@alex82776]

hello tobby :)

[@ketjuariittaa]

You say that you like Bear. It owies that because you are Grizzly😊

[@ikickbut3984]

This may sound really stupid but, if you are right handed you do get the right handed bow? XD

[@aribonneville5870]

+Dancingwithwolves_ If you draw the string with your right hand you are a right hand shooter thus you get a right hand bow( bow in your left hand). Left hand bow is the opposite of course. What you should be using depends on your dominate eye however. You could be right handed but left eye dominate so you would shoot a left hand bow.

[@ikickbut3984]

+Ari Bonneville TGANKYOY

[@ikickbut3984]

+Dancingwithwolves_ sorry I meant thank you

[@aribonneville5870]

You are welcome

[@josh10722]

*hello there*

[@easterneagle5]

As of 2024, the Bear Montana is a damn good bow... that should be half the price it is. There's a certain luxury status to buying a Bear bow, and supporting one of the oldest and most prestigious American bowmakers certainly is a reason to get one, but that status doesn't translate directly to increased quality. The Montana would be a fantastic deal at 350$ CAD, but at 650$ it's outrageously overpriced. There are a ton of bows with similar specs to it that are just as good if not better. The Oakridge Boga has basically the exact same build, quality, and materials, but is half the price. It's 68" rather than 64" so it isn't a field bow and thus isn't a direct comparison, but the sheer fact that the quality of the bows is identical despite such a massive price drop just makes the comparison so much worse for the Montana.

[@user-pt1mp2gn2w]

ма ша Аллагь

[@Musketman84th]

🏹🎯🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇨🇦🤘🍺

[@Seminex222]

Really?? Again!? 400 gramm arrows :P pull yourself together Jim :D :D

[@dormantmenace]

I just find these videos with the split footage of the shots totally suspicious. Just put the camera behind or off to the side. I mean if you can't shoot the entire review comes into question