Two classic brands are coming together this fall for a nostalgic collaboration that is quickly meeting the demand for quality and affordability in bow design. The all-new Bear Gamekeeper compound bow is priced right, feature packed, and looks as good as it shoots.Â
The bow was born from the legacy of Fred Bear, and inspired by the conservation drive of the Mossy Oak Gamekeepers. Â
It’s been said, this new Gamekeeper bow is not just a tool, but a symbol of commitment to conservation, heritage, and the timeless traditions of archery.Â
Take a closer look at the Bear Gamekeeper bow in our review below.Â
First Impressions
First thoughts when I pulled the Gamekeeper bow from the box?Â
The bow is light, compact, easily carried, fully loaded in the Ready to Hunt package, and looks really good in the popular Mossy Oak Bottomland camo.Â
It’s a hunter-friendly bow that’ll be an easy tote to the woods and highly maneuverable in the treestand or ground blind. The bow is completely set up and ready to roll. One little change to the peep sight and top pin, and I was dialed and ready to hunt. It literally took 5 minutes.Â
Specs on the Bear Gamekeeper Bow
- Axle to Axle – 30″Â
- Speed – Up to 330 FPS
- Draw Length – 27″ – 32″Â
- Draw Weight – 45-60 lbs or 55-70 lbs
- Brace Height – 6.5″
- Bow Weight – 5.2lbs (includes RTH kit)
- Trophy Ridge Ready to Hunt Package
- Mossy Oak Bottomland Camo Finish
- Price – $649.99
You’ll find plenty of customization in this bow to meet your needs and preferences, with draw weights ranging from 45 to 70 pounds and a versatile draw length of 27 to 32 inches. The 80% let-off makes for a smooth and steady hold at full draw.Â
The bow comes exclusively in the Ready to Hunt package. Again, it makes getting set up and dialed in easier than ever. It’s a great option for anyone wanting an all-in-one package so they can get on the range and in the woods fast and easy.Â
The kit includes Trophy Ridge’s ultimate Ready-To-Hunt package, featuring an IMS V-Biscuit rest, Picatinny-mounted 4 pin sight, Mossy Oak Bottomland 5 arrow quiver, stabilizer, peep sight, and wrist sling.
Following the latest trend in bow design, the Gamekeeper is fully integrated with the IMS mount for your arrow rest, as well as a picatinny rail mount for the bow sight.Â
There’s also standard mounting options for these accessories on the bow should you choose to stick with an old favorite that’s not built for the integrated mounting design.
Draw length adjustments are quick and simple on this bow without the need for a bow press. Draw length index marks are clear and easily adjusted to give you the exact fit and feel you prefer.Â
Performance on the Range
The draw cycle of the bow is fairly smooth, with a little stack on the front end as you get started and a mild bump as the cams roll over. Can you find a smoother drawing bow out there? Sure. But at half the price of those smoother drawing bows, the Gamekeeper bow holds its own quite well.Â
The test bow used on the range was a 29″ draw bow cranked all the way down to 70lb draw weight. I shot the bow through the Garmin XERO chrono with my Easton Axis 5MM hunting arrows weighing 415 grains and consistently got speeds of 293 FPS on the high end and 289 FPS on the low end.Â
The bow obviously has all the speed you need, draws easy and holds steady at full draw. It’s got a mild bump at the shot, but nothing crazy. Again, you can find smoother drawing bows, and bows with less hand-shock at the release, but you’ll pay twice as much for those benefits.Â
The Gamekeeper bow is truly meeting the demand for more affordable bow options with top end features built into a Ready to Hunt package that makes this one of the best budget bow options you’ll find anywhere.Â
It’s priced $649.99. Check it out at your local Bear Archery dealer or online at www.beararchery.com.Â
Also, be sure to check out the Gamekeeper Podcast each week for some entertaining and educational insight from the Mossy Oak crew. Â
