Bear Whitetail Hunter

Joined
Nov 5, 2020
Messages
22
Location
EAST TENNESSEE
Hey guys just looking for some pointers here, i just bought an old bear whitetail hunter compound bow for $20 but its missing some stuff, like a sight, arrow rest and probably other things i would imagine. Seeing as I dont know much in the way of bow hunting I was hoping someone could give me a few pointers on how and where i could find some parts. Thanks.
 

eddie c

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2001
Messages
10,177
Location
jackson, tn
If I recall correctly the white tail hunter I bought when I got started wasn't drilled and tapped for a after market rest but used a stick on. If that is the tear drop cable model first thing I would do is probably replace the string if one can be found. If the string can't be found I wouldn't spend the money to set it up.
Hate to put it that way but safety first, if the string old, I wouldn't draw it back.
 

Kirk

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2001
Messages
13,754
Location
Charleston, TN USA
The Bear whitetail I had the arrow rest stuck on with double sided tape. I found the picture of what it looked like.

Academy Sports Link


10561798
 
Joined
Nov 5, 2020
Messages
22
Location
EAST TENNESSEE
OH OK! thats exactly whats on there but in way WAY worse shape. Its pretty much smoothed down now lol Thank you very much! Do i need a certain string and sight or will any do? original would be awesome, but not needed.
 

Kirk

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2001
Messages
13,754
Location
Charleston, TN USA
I would take it to a bow shop and have them look at it and make sure it still safe to use. I am 59 years old and I had my Bear Whitetail Hunter in my late teens early 20's. If it is the type that has the poundage adjustments by moving a pulley up or down an hole, it is really old. I gave mine away when I bought a Jennings T-Star II in 1981
 

TheLBLman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2002
Messages
37,857
Location
Knoxville-Dover-Union City, TN
I'd say risk is high the limbs will snap when you pull it back. Just saying that because would expect them to get more brittle over the years. Had that happen one time, and my hand about took out my teeth when the whole thing exploded at full draw.
 
Joined
Nov 5, 2020
Messages
22
Location
EAST TENNESSEE
Yeah I wondered about that myself....maybe hang it on the wall and find something newer then? K.O.'n myself wouldnt be a good first experience LOL Im gonna give a local shop a call in the morning and see what itll take for them to check it out for me.
 

Mag

Well-Known Member
2-Step Enabled
Joined
Nov 12, 2007
Messages
3,100
Location
Gallatin
I agree with the comment above, run it over to a local bow shop and have them look it over and re string it. They'll be able to test the limbs as well. Good luck.
 

TNDeerGuy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2006
Messages
6,910
Location
Old Hickory/Mt.Juliet, TN
Hey guys just looking for some pointers here, i just bought an old bear whitetail hunter compound bow for $20 but its missing some stuff, like a sight, arrow rest and probably other things i would imagine. Seeing as I dont know much in the way of bow hunting I was hoping someone could give me a few pointers on how and where i could find some parts. Thanks.
That is what most people call an antique. I want to be very clear with what I'm getting ready to say. I don't want to come across as discouraging or demeaning, but there is much, much better equipment out there than that. I remember when that bow was around in the 80's!! Technology wise, the capabilities of that bow is maybe equal to youth bows today, in certain aspects, but the youth bows of today will even surpass it in many forms. It is going to be loud, it is going to vibrate like a tuning fork during and after the shot, and it's going to be very, very slow.

That being said, if you wish to "restore it", here is what I would do. Take it to a qualified archery pro shop and ask them to look at the limbs for safety. The string should be a tear-drop design that attaches to rubber-coated cables and the string itself should be 39". The same pro shop should be able to verify that easily enough and order a string for you and install it. You can go to Walmart and buy an inexpensive sight and put on there yourself and the arrow rest can be found here. https://www.lancasterarchery.com/bear-traditional-weather-rest.html

Again, not trying to sound demeaning or crass, but you have the equivalent of an old Ford Pinto. It's neat, it will do the job if absolute necessary, but there are much better options out there for a beginning level archer to have a good, safe experience and the deer to have an ethical, humane end of life experience as well.

You can buy a used bow, that is under 10 years old, for 200-300 dollars, that will give you a far better experience, and if you decide then it isn't for you then you sell it to someone else just like someone did it to you. I would get involved with a local archery club, go to a local archery 3d tournament, and start looking at places like in the classified section of www.ArcheryTalk.com, and even some Facebook groups. Talking to people and just reading information will give you a better idea of what you need and the direction to go— if you can get a hold of a good mentor to guide you, then that will be all the better.

I probably would get a string put on it, and hang it up for decoration if it were me.

If I can help, please reach out.
 

usanglure

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2009
Messages
1,215
Location
tn,shelby
Annddd if you are in the Market for a excellent Compound look up my Browning Backdraft in Classifieds. $200 for everything you need to hunt with, but i would have it restrung....
 

Smo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2012
Messages
3,165
Location
North of Al. & South of Ky.
I'll be 64 shortly, and owned one I think in the late 70's .

The limbs were fiberglass, and it was a "Bear" too draw when it was cold…

I hunted it a couple of years then bought a Robin Hood . Little John ..
Prior to Robin Hood Archery being sold to Darton.
They continued too make the Little John for a few years then came out with the SL- 50, the first split limb bow, if I remember correctly..

ThHoyt stick on rest is the one I used mostly..

755E38C5-5679-4530-B9ED-D8C9CFB276A0.jpeg
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Top