Bear is a household name in the archery community. From its roots all the way back in 1933 - when Fred Bear was mostly advertising for the auto industry - till modern day, Bear has been helping hunters take down game all across the world.
It would be an understatement to say that Fred Bear has had an impact on the world of archery, and continues to today. He pioneered many of the ideas, philosophies, practices, and lifestyle choices archery hunters still live out in the modern world.
Whether it be in their famous traditional bows, or their wide ranging compound lineup, the folks over at Bear Archery strive to carry on that same legacy with each bow they release. They believe in American-made quality, and their products bring performance that Fred would be proud of.
Regardless of if you're looking for your first recreational bow, looking for a bow to go the distance on extreme hunts, or getting your child a youth hunting bow, Bear has more than enough options to get you exactly what you need.
You can view all of our Bear Archery products HERE.
As most of us know, the archery industry has near constant turnover for bows, sights, releases, arrows, rests, etc. Each season brings with it a whole score of new, upgraded products that build off of their predecessors achievements and strive to bring you success - regardless of your pursuit. The same is true of Bear Archery.
Bear releases a lineup of new compound bows and compound bow packages each fall. Many of these are updated versions of prior bow systems, while some are also completely new models for the upcoming year.
Not only has Bear come out with a market-defining, budget-friendly target bow - one I overview in THIS ARTICLE - but their hunting bows might just go one step further.
Their lineup offers affordable quality in both their bare bow and kit offerings, but they went the extra mile for long draw archers on top of bringing their integrated tuning to the budget market. There are even more improvements and special features we will go over later. All of this works together to make serious hunters take a second look at the drawbacks in their current setups - I know it did for me.
Let's go over the new Bear Archery compound lineup for 2027 and everything you should be excited about for each model. We will work from the most affordable all the way up to their new flagship.
Bear Legit NXT RTH
Starting off with the most budget-friendly of their new bows at LAS, we have the Legit NXT -specifically the Ready-to-Hunt package.
Any 30" axle to axle bow that can morph from an 14" draw, 10lb youth bow to a 30" draw, 70lb hunting machine in seconds is worth talking about. With just a quick adjustment to the mod system and a few turns in the limb bolts, you can take this from a child's first bow to a bow you could take on any hunt in North America.
This means that, regardless of if you're looking for a bow that can grow with your new archer or you are looking for a budget-friendly option to get into hunting as an adult, this bow will work for you.
While extreme adjustability in budget bows is nothing new, the ease of which the adjustment happens isn't something to be ignored. Like I mentioned above, you need just two simple screwdrivers to make any and all adjustments on the bow - without the need for any press or other fancy shop equipment.
While the included accessories in this RTH package will certainly get the job done, the real magic here is in the attachment method. The Legit NXT comes complete with a picatinny rail for sight mounting and a machined IMS mount for integrated rest mounting - the included accessories utilize these inline mounting options.
The included dampening systems - found in the string stop, on the string, and in the riser - make sure your post-shot feel is as comfortable as it is repeatable.
Simply put, the Legit NXT is the definitive 'grow with you' compound hunting bow.
Bear Legit Pro RTH
Most of what was said about the Bear Legit NXT above can be said about the Legit Pro. Think of it as the Legit NXT's slightly older brother. While both include Bear's Picatinny and IMS mounting, integrated dampening system, and a wide range of 'growing' adjustment, the Legit Pro just takes it a level higher.
Here is a simple comparison chart to outline the changes between the NXT and Pro:
| Bear Legit NXT | Bear Legit Pro | |
| Let-Off: | 75% | 85% |
| IBO Speed: | 315FPS | 320FPS |
| Draw Length: | 14" - 30" | 18" - 30.5" |
| Draw Weight: | 10 - 70lbs | 14 - 70lbs |
As you can see, the 'Big Brother' descriptor is a good way of looking at it. The Pro doesn't reach the youth-friendly levels of the NXT, but it stretches out a bit more on the top end.
The 85% let-off is great in hunting situations where you might need to hold at full draw for an extended period of time, and the draw length range ensures maximized performance for those adult-level draw lengths.
This is all thanks to the Omni Cam System, which keeps the high adjustment range while optimizing performance on the top end.
Bear Warrant RTH
Stepping up to the 'bigger ticket' compounds, we are heading to the Warrant. The Warrant has been grabbing headlines, and for good reason. Not only does it fall into a very decent price range for the full ready-to-hunt package, but the DHC Hybrid Cam System brings something a little special to the table.
A brace height that sits in the hunting sweet spot, a very respectable IBO speed, and a comfortable draw and let-off are all very nice features of the Warrant, but the 30" axle-to-axle length is remarkable once you realize this bow can go up to a 31.5" draw length.
For those of us long draw archers out there, you might've found it frustrating with the options on the market that extend past the 30"/30.5" standard where many bows max out. The Warrant squeaks out a 31.5" draw in its 30" axle length thanks to that aforementioned DHC cam system.
This means long draw hunters finally have a quality, affordable hunting bow without any unnecessary weight and length.
As a cherry on top of this revelation, the Warrant includes: Bear's integrated damping system, IMS and Picatinny mounting, an integrated top pocket pull-rope, and an RTH kit.
Bear Paradigm Pro
Much in the same vein as the Warrant from above, this bow caters to your longer-draw archers out there. It doesn't have that short 30" axle-to-axle length that some might prefer, but this is the flipside of the equation for long draw archers.
Many archers prefer shorter bows for Eastern hunting scenarios, but just as many like a longer bow for Western hunts that provides that extra inherent stability when at full draw. The Paradigm Pro can reach a draw length of 32" with it's DHC Hybrid Cam and 33" axle to axle.
Much like the other bows on this list, the Paradigm Pro includes IMS and Picatinny mounting options, integrated suppression systems, the incorporated pull loop, and a reliable RTH package.
Simply put, where the Warrant caters to long draw archers in the East, the Paradigm Pro caters to long draw archers in the West.
Bear Whitetail NXT
Though the adjustability and long draw capabilities of the bows above are awesome, this is where Bear Archery has really taken the compound market by storm. The Whitetail NXT sits at an affordable price point and includes Bear's integrated Quad Pocket Control tuning system.
This means that, for the first time, you can own a compound bow that includes tuning abilities without shelling out flagship-level money. The convenience of paper tuning your bow while standing on the range - without needing to put it into a press - cannot be overstated. A quick turn of an Allen key and you're back taking another shot chasing that perfect bullet hole.
Though that is the major selling point for the Whitetail NXT, the features don't stop there. It includes Bear's EKO 2 Cam System - their highest grade and most efficient cam - as well as all of the integrated features outlined on all of the bows above it in this list. This includes items such as the Picatinny and IMS mounting systems as well as the integrated suppression, to name a few.
You can always grab the NXT as a bare bow setup, but Bear have outfitted it with two different RTH packages so you can choose the accessory level you want to carry into the woods.
The standard RTH kit includes a Trophy Ridge 4-pin Picatinny sight, IMS whisker biscuit rest, 5-arrow quiver, as well as a sling, stabilizer, and peep sight/d-loop. It isn't anything necessarily fancy, but it will 100% get the job done in the whitetail woods.
The RTH+ kit takes things up a notch. This includes the Trophy Ridge PIC Fix 5-Pin Sight, the Trophy Ridge Sync drop-away arrow rest, the Trophy Ridge 8" Seismic Stabilizer + sling, Trophy Ridge's silent Cloak Quiver, and a peep sight/d-loop installed. Getting this higher-end accessory kit and integrated tuning all for below $1000 makes a lot of other bows look sort of silly.
Bear Alaskan Pro
If you aren't familiar with Bear's Alaskan Pro, what rock have you been living under? Perhaps the most celebrated budget bow Bear has released in recent memory, the Alaskan Pro had countless bowhunters reconsidering their choice in other manufacturers' flagship bows - such was the fit, feel, value, and performance.
While it doesn't have the integrated tuning system that comes on the Whitetail NXT above, it does bring an unparalleled shootability and accuracy that made it so famous over the last year.
While the base Alaskan Pro was in fact a release last year, Bear have now released an RTH+ kit built for the Alaskan Pro that matches the + kit from the Whitetail NXT. This means you get the Trophy Ridge PIC Fix 5-Pin Sight, the Trophy Ridge Sync drop-away arrow rest, the Trophy Ridge 8" Seismic Stabilizer + sling, Trophy Ridge's silent Cloak Quiver, and a peep sight/d-loop on Bear's most forgiving value platform, all for under $900.
If you don't believe me about the hype, just take a second to search YouTube for the comparison and reaction videos. You won't be disappointed.
Bear Source
Welcome to the big time. Where other companies charge hundreds and hundreds more for their flagship offerings, Bear placed theirs under $1000 - and boy do you get a lot of bow for the money.
Using the highest quality components and material Bear could, the Source has become their most refined compound platform to date.
Utilizing their EKO 2 Cam System, the Source, with its 6" brace height and 32" axle-to-axle length, reaches a blistering 340FPS IBO speed rating. That is the fastest in their lineup and more than enough to archery hunt for any big game in the world.
It also includes the most advanced integrated damping and suppression system out of any of the Bear models, ensuring a post-shot feel unlike any other. This allows for improved accuracy, precision, comfort, and repeatability whether out on the range or in the field.
It harnesses the power of Bear's QPC (Quad Pocket Control) tuning system, which means - as stated above - you can tune your bow on the shooting line without the need of a bow press.
On top of the high-end Picatinny mounting point and IMS capability, Bear also included a wrist sling into the body of the riser to cut down on weight and increase simplicity, comfort, and precision in your hunting setup.
As the true cherry on top for fans of Bear Archery, every Source comes with a FREE 3-month subscription to onX Hunt Premium. That is a sweet deal.
Closing
In summary, Bear really knocked it out of the park this year. They are fully committed to American manufacturing for all of the bows I included on this list. Each bow includes integrated suppression systems as wall as Picatinny and IMS mounting options. They brough the heat for long-draw archers - something the author greatly appreciates - in two different platforms. Bear even rolled out integrated tuning for a budget bow. What more could you ask for in a lineup?
In addition to all of the features and touch points outlined above, it is important to remember that each and every Bear bow can have the draw weight, draw length, and let-off adjusted with one simple tool and without the need of alternative cam or mod options. Everything you need to dial in your perfect system is included on the bow right out of the box, so there isn't any mod swapping or bow presses required to get the bow fitted to you.
As a final note, too, the Alaskan Pro, Whitetail NXT, and Source all come with limb stops included in the box - which are easy to install - just in case you want a harder back wall for your adventures into the wilderness.
You can shop all of our Bear Archery bows HERE, or shop Trophy Ridge accessories HERE if you're looking to outfit the Bear bow you already own.