General Question

simone54's avatar

Does anyone know anything about this bow I just got?

Asked by simone54 (7629points) March 26th, 2013

I got this bow from a yard sale. It’s a Bear Polar II (8 pulley) compound bow. It has an adjustable weight (from 55–65) and the draw length of 24 inches. From the little that I have been learning about bows, it seems short draw length. I am I right? Is it a youth bow? Would I even be able to find arrows for this? Would I be able to kill an animal with this?

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5 Answers

LuckyGuy's avatar

Let me get the safety aspect out of the way. A compound bow should never be dry fired (string pulled back and let go without an arrow.). The bow can be damaged, delaminated, or weakened so that it can break the next time you load it to the limit.
A “purist” would take it to a good archery shop and have them look at it under the microscope. A super purist would not even try it unless they knew the complete history from the owner. It would be a wall hanger – never to be fired again.
I am not a purist. I would try it while wearing the heaviest gloves, body armor and face shield I could find around the house. I’d wear my Kevlar gloves, winter coat and chain saw face shield. for about a dozen shots or so until I had my confidence up. Your mileage may vary.

Can you kill an animal with it? Heck yes! That is a true weapon. All you need for deer is 30 pounds and good broadhead arrows. Figure that bow will give you a lethal range of up to 20 yards. Most of your shots will only be around 10 yards. If you sight in and practice at 12 yards you will have a good compromise setting.
DO NOT USE THE WOOD ARROWS! If they are old they can shatter and end up in your forearm!. Throw them away! Really!!! Figure on spending >$6 per arrow. Get carbon fiber or aluminum. Make sure the arrows are designed for at least 65 pounds.
Practice, practice, practice. You will be sore but it is worth it. Enjoy.

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downtide's avatar

24” is very short and is probably a child’s bow. It will suit someone about 5’0” tall.

Back when I did archery in college I was drawing 27” and I’m not big. Your draw length is the distance when you hold your arm out to the sides parallel with the floor, measured fingertip-to-fingertip and divided by 2.5. Your arrows should be a couple of inches longer.

simone54's avatar

Do suppose the length is adjustable? The weight is adjustable (up to 60).

I’m pretty sure it’s a youth both and I won’t be able to use it.:(

LuckyGuy's avatar

Don’t immediately rule it out as being too short. If you are new to the sport the shorter draw will help you build the necessary muscle coordination until you geta new bow. A short bow is much easier to handle when walking in the woods. Look at the newer bows The arms are almost horizontal. That shortens the top to bottom length and reduces recoil.when you shoot. The arm on top offsets the one on the bottom so there is no recoil.
I will tell you one disadvantage. A friend of mine was using his 80# bow (Yikes!) in a tree stand with a safety railing. As the deer walked almost underneath him, he had to lean over the railing a bit. He did not notice the bow was almost touching the railing. When he fired, the lower bow arm pushed against the railing with tremendous force almost throwing him out of the stand. Remember that.

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