Tech Tips — The Bear Knowledge Base
Insights from a Legendary Tradition
Fred Bear is often referred to as "The Father of Modern Archery." Bear Archery's knowledge base is among the most extensive in the industry — going back to the 1930s when Fred Bear secured his first of several patents for archery advancements.
The following answers to frequently asked questions represent some of the most popular requests we receive for information about archery and bow hunting.
We receive the latest answers to archery questions every day — from our staff and from hunters like you. SOON — this collection of technical knowledge and advice from the field will be even easier for you to access. Click here to add your email address and we will let you know when this part of BearArcheryProducts.com is improved for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of bow press is required for the new 2008 Bear Flare Quad Limbs?
There are several bow presses that are approved for use on the 2008 Bear Flare Quad Limbs. Please see the CAUTION about using non-approved bow presses.
Why can't I use a fast flight string on my old bear recurve?
Fast flight is a less forgiving string than Dacron. In other words, it does not stretch as much and is harder on the bow. If the bow does not have reinforced tips like our newer models, the tips of the limbs will break.
What advantages does the EPS grip offer?
The major advantages of the EPS grip are: shock reduction, comfort, and cold weather friendliness.
What kind of bow set up do I need to use to optimize kinetic energy?
The proper arrow for the proper poundage, cam and draw length. If the arrow is too heavy or too light, kinetic energy will suffer. The Easton arrow charts provide detailed information on how to pick the proper arrow.
Why is the dead ringer broadhead better than the traditional mechanical head?
Because of the design of the head, it will not kick or "pole vault" off the animal. The design allows the blades to slide along the ferrule; this allows the head to be fully open when it enters the animal. In turn, this allows the head to use one-third less energy to penetrate.
What are the advantages of the swing-arm cable guard over the straight rod?
The swing arm reduces the friction found on a normal cable rod. When the bow is drawn the cable and the string of the bow will only be moving vertically through the cable retainer, whereas the cable rod has friction both on the horizontal and vertical axis.
What is the advantage of carbon weave limbs?
Carbon weave limbs are highly torque resistant. This means a more durable, better performing bow.
What is the advantage of a single-cam over a dual-cam bow?
Single-cam bows do not need to be timed, and are much easier to tune and stay in tune. The single-cam also offers less working parts, which equals fewer problems.
How can a no-torque grip improve my shooting?
Just as the name suggests, it reduces the ability to twist or "torque" the grip. This allows the bow to be steady throughout the shooting process. The grip is designed so when the hand becomes unstable and moves, the overall attitude of the bow will not change.
How important is kinetic energy in bow hunting?
Very! Kinetic energy translates to knockdown power. It is the amount of energy in foot pounds that is delivered to the animal.
How should brace height help me determine which bow to select?
Use brace height as a guide to determine the shootability of the bow. Generally, bows with larger brace heights are easier to shoot, but with some loss of speed. A bow with a short brace height is harder to shoot, but has a greater amount of arrow speed.
How do I pick the stabilizer that is best for me?
There are at least a hundred stabilizers on the market today. The best one for you can only be determined by first deciding what type of use your bow will have. Will it be used for hunting only? Then you should probably look at shorter, lighter stabilizers. Do you plan on shooting competitive target archery? Then maybe you should look at a longer, heavier stabilizer.
What do IBO and AMO speed ratings mean?
IBO speed is derived from 5 grains of arrow weight for every peak pound of bow weight. AMO speed is derived from a 540-grain arrow shot out of a 60-pound bow at 30 inches of draw.
I want to shoot my compound bow using fingers. What axle to axle length bow should I use?
Longer is better, 38" axle to axle or more. Draw length plays a big part; the longer the draw the longer the bow.
Why do some bows use larger idler wheels?
A larger idler helps aid in making the bow smoother and more forgiving by increasing brace height and by decreasing the angle of the string from the cam to the idler.
How does the shock stop work?
The shock stop slides along with the string and cable upon the shot. The Kraton bumper catches the string. This stops string oscillation which causes noise and vibration.
What does compression molding mean?
Compression molding is where we take a wound piece of fiberglass saturated in resin, and then by using extreme heat and pressure mold the limb into the shape that we desire for the bow.
How do I pick the bow that best fits me?
The two most important things are draw length and draw weight. Once these are determined it's only a matter of how much you want to spend.
What is the advantage of a PWC cam over a soft cam?
The more radical design of the PWC helps provide more speed for the poundage being pulled. The weight helps absorb noise and vibration.
Which is a better arrow: fast and light, or slow and heavy?
The bow will reach its optimal performance with an arrow that falls right in the middle. An arrow that is matched to your draw weight and draw length will provide you with the proper amount of speed, energy and accuracy.
Should I use a one-piece or two-piece quiver?
Picking a quiver has a lot to do with personal preference. Two-piece quivers stay on the bow when shooting and make other arrows more accessible. This type of quiver will add to the overall mass weight of the bow and make shooting seem louder. Also the more size you add to your bow such as a quiver full of arrows, the more it will act as a sail in windy conditions. This could make a steady shot a little more difficult. One-piece quivers can also stay on the bow while shooting or be removed and placed in a more convenient location. With no quiver on the bow, there is less weight and less noise upon the shot. It could also mean less movement when shooting in windy conditions.
